     "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRETT!!", shouted an excited Skuld.

     I opened one eye carefully, the sun was just getting up
and it was far too early to be awake.  I sat up slowly,
blinking the sleep from my eyes.  Skuld was leaning over me,
smiling brightly.  This was *not* the best start to my 22nd
birthday.

     "G'Morning Skuld", I yawned, "you're up early".

     Skuld nodded, "I wanted to be the first to give you your
present!", she said, pushing a wrapped box into my hands.

     I smiled and carefully unwrapped the package.  The gift
inside resembled a hand-held TV set, with series of dials and
buttons covering most of it.  I turned it over in my hands,
"It's very nice...", I began.

     Skuld snatched it out of my hands, "How would you know?",
she asked petulantly, "I haven't told you what it does yet!".

     I grinned a little sheepishly, "Ok.. well what does it
do?", I asked.

     Skuld smiled, "AH!", she said grandly, "It's a homing
device!".

     "A homing device?", I asked, "What does it home in on?".

     "Anything you tell it to", Skuld explained.  She picked
up the device and turned it on.  It hummed slightly and a
recording of Skuld's voice said, "Please tell me what to
find".

     Skuld spoke into the device, "Where is Urd?", she asked.

     The monitor lit up and a glowing map appeared, according
to the device, Urd was in her room.  Skuld gestured for me to
follow and the two of us tiptoed to the door of Urd's room and
peeked in, she was just where she was suppose to be.  I smiled
at Skuld, "Now *that* will come in handy for finding all those
odd socks I've lost over the years", I observed.

     Skuld stuck out her tongue at me, "It can find *anything*
you ask for", she said, "Maybe you could ask it to find you a
better accent?".

     I gave her a speculative look, "Geeze mate", I said in
the worse Australian accent I could manage, "Give a bloke a
fair go!".

     Skuld cringed and shook her head in frustration.  I gave
her a big smile, "Thank's Skuld, it's a very nice gift", I
bent over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

     "What are you trying to pull!", Skuld said in a shocked
voice, "I'm gonna tell Urd you did that!".  She walked away,
wiping her cheek and I held back a laugh.


                            An Oh My God FanFic

                          The Hazards of Divinity

                                  PART 1

                                    by

                                Brett Handy

     The less said about the rest of my day, the better.  I
don't know what it is about birthdays, but other than feeling
older, they've kinda become routine in the last few years. 
The day was nothing spectacular, however the evening looked
like it might be more interesting.  Keiichi and Tamiya arrived
with about half the NIT motorclub, according to Tamiya it was
a 'little get-together'.

     Now while I like parties, I *don't* like being the centre
of attention.  Soon after midnight, I found myself sitting out
on the steps, while the party still raged inside.  

     I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around, to receive
a kiss from Urd, it was a most pleasant greeting.

     "Happy Birthday", she said warmly.

     "Well", I said, regaining my breath, "That's one 'hello'
I'll remember".

     Urd grinned, "So how are we this evening?", she asked
curiously, "Usually you only sit on the steps when you're
thinking about something".

     I nodded, "You know me too well", I replied ruefully,
"But I'm not thinking unpleasant thoughts... I'm just thinking
about how lucky I am...".

     Urd raised one eyebrow and put one had behind her ear,
"What's that??", she asked in a mock-confused voice, "Did I
hear correctly... you consider yourself 'lucky'??".

     I shook my head, "Extremely lucky", I corrected, "Getting
the wish was lucky.. but to be living with you guys makes it
even better".

     "Oh?", she asked, raising the other eyebrow.

     I grinned at her, "Well, it hasn't been a bed of roses,
but it's certainly a more unusual life than I'd intended", I
explained.  The two of us sat there for about an hour talking
quietly, the party began to slow down around 1am and people
began leaving not long after.  We'd just said goodbye to the
last guest, when the phone rang.

     Urd reached it first and I noticed that her expression
lost the playfulness usually visible, "Yes Sir", she said
respectfully, "What can I do to help?".

     Urd listened at the phone for a few minutes, nodding
occasionally and muttering the occasional 'yes sir' or 'no
sir'.

     I waited impatiently until she hung up the phone, "Well..
what's up?", I asked.

     Urd shrugged, "Oh, there was a strange build-up of energy
at a highschool and He asked me to investigate it", she said
offhandedly.

     "What kind of energy?", Belldandy asked curiously.

     "I don't know", she admitted, "But it doesn't sound too
serious, just unusual really".

     "Want some company?", I asked offhandedly.

     Urd stared at me curiously, "I thought it was your
birthday?", she asked.

     I shrugged, "That was yesterday", I said, looking at the
clock.

     Urd nodded, "Alright, come on then and we'll go see
what's going on at Shinonome High School", she said.

     "Don't be out too late", Belldandy cautioned us.

                                  ******

     Brett and Urd materialised out of a clock in the main
hall of Shinonome High and carefully looked around to make
sure they hadn't been seen.  "Looks a bit deserted", Brett
noted.

     "Well, the sooner we work out what's going on, the sooner
we can get back", Urd said, "Come on, let's find that energy
source".

     Brett nodded and the two of them walked outside, looking
around the grounds.  They searched for nearly two hours, but
couldn't find any sign of the energy they were looking for. 
"Well this is a waste of time!", Urd said grumpily, "I can't
detect any energy at all!".

     Brett shrugged, "Well it must have been here before we
arrived", he mused, "Why don't we just wait for a bit, no one
seems to be around".

     Urd and Brett walked around the school, until they found
a seat on the roof.  It was chilly in the early morning
darkness, and the sky was filled with stars.  The two sat down 
together on a seat and waited,  Brett placing a companionable
arm around Urd, the two of them huddled together in the
darkness and eventually fell asleep.

     Urd woke with a start and looked around groggily, she was
laying up against Brett, who had covered the two of them with
his jacket.  She smiled down at his sleeping face and gently
kissed him on cheek, "Brett, time to wake up", she said
quietly.

     Brett's eyes opened suddenly and he half-sat up, "Oh..
Urd.. ", he mumbled sleepily, "Nothing happened huh?"

     Urd winced at the bright light of dawn, "I hope no one's
worried about us", she said, standing, "Come on, let's get out
of here".

     "What about those reports of strange energy?", Brett
asked, looking around.

     Urd sighed, "Alright, we'll have one more look around",
then she broke off, looking at Brett's expression.

     Urd turned around and followed his gaze, what she saw
astounded her.  In the field just below them, two people were
embracing, perhaps not unusual in itself.  What *was* unusual
was the corona of energy that surrounded them, it was pulsing
with a life of it's own the power was like a wave, pushing her
back.  Brett and Urd quickly ran downstairs, "What the hell
was that?", Brett asked.

     "No idea", Urd replied, the two of them quickly made
their way out onto the sportsfield, noticing that the two
figures had relaxed their embrace and where standing, looking
at each other lovingly.

     "It seems like a shame to interrupt them", Brett observed
quietly to Urd.

     "Tough!", Urd said, leading the way across the field to
the two people, "You there!", she called, "What are you
doing?".

     The young man looked up with a panicked expression, "Get
out of here!!", he shouted anxiously, "If you don't you'll be
sorry!".

     Urd frowned, "What the hell are you talking about?", she
demanded, "I asked you a question!".

     Brett frowned, "Was that a threat or a warning?", he
called.

     The young man turned to face them, he was wearing a white
robe of some kind and carrying a large metallic staff.  He
firmly held the lady's hand in his own, "It was a warning, if
you don't get out of here now, when the portal reverses,
you'll be dragged along too", he explained quickly.

     Brett looked around nervously, power appeared to be
building, "Maybe he's right", he suggested, "Perhaps we should
get out of here".

     Urd also felt the power build-up, "OK, let's get moving",
she said, turning back towards the buildings.

     "No!", the young man shouted, "You have to get further
away than that!".

     Brett nodded and quickly pulled out one of the many
watches that he carried, he tossed it to the ground and
muttered a quick transport spell.  Taking Urd's hand he
stepped into the watch, just as the dimensional portal opened.

                                  ******

     I awoke from a hazy dream of shifting stars and planets
and found myself holding Urd in a tight embrace, her face was
only inches from mine.  She was lying on top of me and was
also clutching me almost desperately.  "Urd, wake up", I
encouraged gently.

     Her eyes blinked open and she groaned in pain slightly,
"Ohh my head", she said, disengaging herself from me and
rubbing her forehead.

     I sat up and looked around for the first time.  It
appeared that the two of us were sitting on the top of what
looked like a large sundial.  The sky was the deepest shade of
blue that I've ever seen and the clouds had an almost pink
tinge in them.  "Where the hell are we?", I wondered, taking a
hard look at the alien environment.

     Urd tried to stand, but collapsed after taking only two
steps, "What's wrong?", I asked, catching her before she could
hit the ground.

     "I don't know", she said weakly, "I'm feeling a bit
tired... need to rest...".  Then her eyes closed and she fell
into a deep sleep.

     I laid her down on the ground, carefully propping up her
head with my jacket.  Walking to the edge of the sundial, I
noticed that we appeared to be on the top of a huge mountain,
towering above all the other peaks nearby.  Off in the
distance I could see a large tower rising from the nearly flat
mountain top.  There was a sharp gust of wind and I braced
myself as it seemed to try to pull me towards the cliff.

     Not knowing what else to do, I picked up Urd and began
walking towards the tower in the distance.  As we drew closer
I noticed that the tower was of a design that was unusual, yet
pleasing to the eye.  In fact it looked like very advanced for
a place that relied on sundials.  Walking around the base I
located what looked like a door and I pushed at it to no
avail.  The wind had picked up and it was beginning to get
quite cold.  I felt Urd beginning to shiver in my arms and I
gently placed her on the ground and began reciting a spell.

     Usually I would only use a forcefield for defense, but
this time I started it small, on one edge of the door. 
Expanding it carefully, I forced the door open slowly.  The
door hissed as it's mechanisms tried to keep it shut, but my
forcefield held it open, I quickly picked up Urd and hurried
inside.  The door shut behind us, cutting off the cold winds
outside.  Urd moaned slightly and I was lucky to notice some
kind of seat against one wall.  I laid her out and covered her
with my jacket, "Don't worry", I said quietly brushing a few
strands of hair from her face, "I'll figure something out".

     That was easier said than done.  I left Urd to sleep and
explored the rest of this tower, from what I could make out,
there were only three inhabitants.  From the contents of their
closets, they were all female and had rather exotic taste in
clothing.  I had just finished my inspection of the cooking
area when I heard the door hiss open, "I tell you it's
unnatural!", argued an angry female voice, "That Demon just
isn't right for him!".

     "Oh you're just jealous!", chided another female voice.

     I peeked around the corner and quickly caught a glimpse
of two young women arguing, "Shayla!", one said, "You can't go
around burning things down cause your love-life's gone bad!".

     The other one, a red head turned an angry gaze on her
companion, "And why not Afura??? A priestess of Muldoon should
be able to let her emotions show!", Shayla replied.

     Then the other noticed Urd, sleeping on the Sofa, "Looks
like we've got a visitor", she said, pointing.

     Shayla and Afura walked towards Urd.  I quickly stepped
out from my hiding place, "Actually you've got two visitors",
I announced.

     The reaction I got was somewhat less than what I'd
wanted.  Shayla quickly whipped out a strange device and
strapped it over her arm, "I dunno who you are, but you picked
the wrong place to break into", she said.  A moment later, a
ring of fire began dancing around her, streams of it running
from the jewels in her clothing.  The other woman snapped a
small device into her belt and a swirl of wind filled the
room.

     I raised my hands, "Hey!", I said, "I don't want to
fight..".

     "Wrong day to visit then!", Shayla said, charging forward
and extending her ribbons of fire at me, "I'm afraid that I've
had a *really* bad day!".

     I called up a forcefield and the fire danced over it like
a cascade of water.  Shayla looked surprised, "What?!?", she
said in disbelief, "How'd you do that??".

     "You wouldn't believe me if I told you", I replied,
carefully keeping the shield as strong as I could, I didn't
know how powerful these people were, but I wasn't willing to
take any chances.

     Afura smiled, "Well, let's see you avoid *THIS*", she
said, forming a blast of air and sending it shooting across
the room.

     I staggered back slightly and my shield wavered and
finally fell.  It was at that stage that I realised that
something was seriously lacking in my powers.  Now I wouldn't
say I'm even close to being an accomplished spell caster, but
that forcefield spell is something that I've got down-pat and
it *should* have withstood that kind of attack.

     I snapped my fingers and changed into my armour. 
"Alright then", I said, "You want to fight... let's go!". 
With a gesture I summoned my epee and assumed a guard
position.

     Shayla laughed, "You want to fight us both?", she asked
with scorn in her voice.

     I shook my head, "Nope", I replied, "But I'm not gonna
let you hurt my friend over there, we just came inside to get
out of the cold".

     Afura looked over at Urd and I tensed myself in case she
was going to try anything, "How did you get in here then?",
she demanded.

     I smiled thinly, "You'd be amazed what a forcefield can
do", I replied.

     Shayla advanced towards me, "So why are you here?", she
said, fire crackling around her.

     "I don't know", I admitted, carefully keeping the point
of my blade level, "Last thing I know, this guy in a white
robe, carrying a staff shouted at us to get back and then we
arrived out back on your sundial".

     Both of them frowned, "That sounds like Makoto", Afura
commented, "You wouldn't be from Earth would you?".

     I frowned and nodded slowly, "Why does that question not
fill me with joy?", I asked.

     Shayla and Afura exchanged a glance and both of them
cancelled their spells, "You're a long way from home", Shayla
said, "In another dimension".

     I sighed, "Great... can this Makoto guy get us home?", I
asked, relaxing my stance.

     The two exchanged another glance, "Perhaps we should talk
about that over dinner", Afura suggested.

     I nodded once and banished my sword and armour.  Shayla
still seemed angry, but a quick nod from Afura seemed to calm
her down slightly.  The two of them left me alone with Urd for
a few minutes and I took a some time to examine her, she
seemed to be getting weaker.  I recited a small healing spell
and touched her gently on the face, "Urd", I called softly,
"Come on... wake up".

     Her eyes fluttered open and she frowned, "Brett, what's
going on?", she asked, "I'm so weak".

     I sighed, "I'm afraid that the news isn't good", I said,
"According to the people I've talked to, we're on another
dimension".

     Urd tried to sit up, "What?!?!", she demanded,
"HOW!?!?!?".

     I held her down carefully, "Don't move, you've been
unconscious since we arrived", I said sternly, "I don't know
what's happening to you, but it's effected me as well, my
spells are no where near as powerful here".

     Urd nodded, "That's because we're away from the source of
our powers", she explained tiredly, "We're going to have to
rely on other power sources until we can get home".

     I shrugged, "I'm not too bad off", I said, "But what kind
of power source do you need?".

                                  ******

     "I *hic* tell you *hic*", Urd slurred, "Yoush never *hic*
seen a better energy blast *HIC*".

     Urd was reciting a rather inaccurate retelling of our
visit to hell and the battle with Nilthar.  Afura and Shayla
were listening politely and I was getting a little
embarrassed, "Perhaps you could tell us a little about
yourselves?", I asked, interrupting Urd's colourful dialogue.

     Shayla shrugged, "We're two of the high-priestesses of
Mount Muldoon", she said, "Our other priestess is off on her
honeymoon, still".

     I nodded, "So how do you know about Earth?", I asked.

     Afura and Shayla exchanged a long glance, "It's a *very*
long story", Afura warned.

     I shrugged, "At the moment I'm not going anywhere", I
replied.

     For the next two hours Shayla and Afura explained about
how a group of people from Earth had arrived almost six months
ago and helped in a great war against some creatures called
the Bugrom.  I'll admit that the idea of seven foot tall bugs
was a little ludicrous, but then so was the idea of being in
another dimension.  The war was concluded when the Princesses
of Roshtaria used a weapon called 'The Eye of God' - it wiped
out the enemy forces.  Unfortunately the weapon couldn't be
shut down and the only way to prevent it destroying everything
was to have a Demon-God named Ifurita fly inside it and shut
it down.  That action threw her across time and space, until
she came to Earth, where she met Makoto.  Ifurita, using
powers she had learnt while stopping the Eye, was the person
who sent Makoto and his friends to El Hazard in the first
place.

     "Ok", I said (after sorting all that out in my head), "So
he went back to find her?".

     Afura nodded, "Her powers were so weak that she couldn't
bring herself home, so he went to get her", she explained.

     "That's not the whole reason", Shayla said, a little
drunkenly, "He had to go and get her because he *loves* her!".

     "So... if he can go back and pick her up, he *should* be
able to send us back", I mused.

     Shayla giggled, "It's taken him about two months to build
up enough power to go and get her", she slurred, "I wouldn't
have a clue how long it'll take to send two of you".

     I glanced at Urd, who had fallen asleep from the amount
of alcohol she'd been consuming and was leaning up against me. 
On the up-side, she did look a lot better.  "So when can we
see this Makoto?", I asked.

     Afura shrugged, "As soon as you can get to Floristica",
she said, "I don't mind giving you a lift and I'm sure that
Shayla won't object about coming along".

     We both looked at Shayla, who had assume a similar
sleeping position as Urd, against Afura's shoulder.  Afura
smiled, "Maybe we should put these sleeping beauties to bed?",
she suggested.

     I laughed and picked up Urd, "Lead the way, Priestess", I
said grandly.  Afura laughed quietly and summoned a cushion of
air for Shayla to ride on.  We walked upstairs, taking Shayla
to her room.  Afura pulled the covers over her companion,
"Poor Shayla really had a crush on that Makoto", she said,
smoothing a few tendrils of hair from her friend's face.

     I just nodded and followed her as she led me to a guest
room, I pulled the covers back and placed Urd carefully in the
bed.  Much to my embarrassment she didn't want to let go, and
kept a firm grip on my shoulders, "Brett, no... come to bed",
she said sleepily.  I disentangled myself carefully and
smoothed the covers over her.  I was blushing furiously as I
turned around to meet Afura's amused expression.

     "Hmmm...", she said, "You two *are* good friends".

     I smiled a little weakly, "I don't suppose it would do
any good to say we *are* just friends?", I asked.

     Afura smiled, "Well, there are friends and then there are
*friends*", she said, laughing at my expression.

     The two of us walked outside and back down to the
kitchen, "I'll clean up", Afura offered, "You can get some
rest if you like".

     I shook my head, "No that's alright, I don't want to be a
burden", I replied.

     While cleaning up I had time to question Afura about what
she and the other priestesses did.  According to her, they
worshiped the elements, each of them had power over the
element they worshipped.  I nodded, "Sounds like some of the
ancient Earth religions", I commented, "But I guess it
actually works here".

     Afura nodded, "You know", she said, looking at me with a
serious expression, "You haven't told us much about
yourselves, except for Urd's garbled descriptions of Demons
and visiting Hell...".

     I shrugged, "She tends to exaggerate a little", I said
carefully.

     Afura raised her eyebrows, "Well.. perhaps you can tell
me how you managed to block Shayla's attack?", she asked.

     "Just call it a talent", I said evasively.

     Afura was quiet, until we'd finished cleaning up and sat
back down on the sofas.  "Brett", she said firmly, "If we're
going to trust you, perhaps you should trust us a little?".

     I shrugged, "Well, I doubt you'll believe me.. but...",
and with that I began explaining who and what I was.  Her
expression became more disbelieving as I spoke, when I finally
finished she nodded, "So the two of you are gods", she said,
"And in your universe, you help people?".

     I nodded, "It took me a long time to come to terms with
it too", I said, "Even as I was casting all these neat spells,
I found myself doubting the reality of it all".

     Afura stood, "Well that's certainly an interesting tale",
she said, "I'm afraid that I'm having trouble believing it
all....".

     I gave her a smile, "That's ok, so am I", I replied.

                                  ******

     In the morning, after Shayla and Urd had partially
recovered from their mutual hangovers, we climbed aboard a
transport vessel of some kind.  Afura took up a position at
the stern and Shayla took one on the prow.  I was going to ask
what the hell was going on, until the boat-like vessel
shuddered and rose off the ground.  I gulped slightly as it
moved directly towards the edge of the cliff.

     "Err... is this thing safe?", I asked.

     Shayla glanced back over her shoulder, "Of course it
is!", she snapped, "Why do all earth people ask the same
questions?!?!?".

     I shut up and watched as we came to the edge of the
cliff.  Now I've never been much for heights, to be honest
they scare the hell out of me and this mountain was the
highest I'd ever been on.  Urd noticed my expression and gave
me a reassuring smile, "You remember how that levitation spell
goes?", she asked with a mock-serious expression.

     I gulped slightly, "Please don't joke about things like
that", I hissed nervously.

     She walked over beside me and took my hand, "Don't
worry", she said in a teasing voice, "I won't let anything
happen to you".

     "Oh!", I said sarcastically, "That makes me feel so much
better".  But I didn't let go of her hand as the transport
went into a slight nose-dive, before levelling out.  I relaxed
slightly as it began a slower descent to the ground below,
actually once we broke the cloud-line the vista below made me
almost forget me fear of heights.  The world below spread out
like a map, beautiful and green, with the occasionally slashes
of blue, where a river or lake cut the landscape.  Flocks of
some kind of winged creature seemed to fill the air and there
was a sweet smell to the place.

     Urd, pointed to a dark patch on the horizon, "What's
that?", she asked our hostesses.

     Shayla frowned, "That's the Bugrom homeland", she said
flatly, "It's a horrible wasteland, filled with all sorts of
perils".

     Urd and I stood at the edge of the transport, enjoying
the passing scenery, until at last we saw a large city, rising
in front of us.  "That's the capital", Afura called, "We'll be
at the palace soon".

     The transport flew quickly through the city and stopped
in front of the main gate.  The four of us climbed carefully
down to the ground and a pair of guards opened the gates for
the two priestesses.  Urd and I followed our guides inside,
marvelling at the strange buildings, looking like a cross
between an Arabian palace and an Inca temple.  The few people
we ran across, quickly made way for the priestesses, many
bowing low in respect.  Finally we came to yet another large
set of doors.  "This is the throne room", Afura explained,
"The Princesses are holding court at the moment, please follow
us quietly".

     We walked into a large, open-air room, with a large pool
in the middle.  At one end of the pool, sat two young women,
obviously these were the two Princesses.  Along each side of
the pool sat a long line of other dignitaries, some male and
some female.  Everyone seemed to be involved in a rather noisy
discussion that had something to do with an 'ultimate weapon'. 
Urd and I exchange a glance and then followed the Priestesses
to were some pillows had been arranged for us to sit down.

     A whispering began amongst the gathering and some curious
glances were being thrown in our direction.  I shifted self-
consciously and wondered if I should have worn my formal
uniform.  The I noticed that most of the glances where in
Urd's direction and I smiled knowingly.  Urd was dressed, as
usual in an outfit that didn't leave much to the imagination,
but what it did leave, gave people a lot to think about.

     A servant whispered something in one of the Princess's
ears and the Princess stood, "We have just been informed that
two of the Priestesses of Muldoon have arrived, escorting some
visitors who wish to discuss something with us", she said, "We
will take up this discussion tomorrow".

     The two Princesses rose and walked at a stately pace from
the room, being escorted by their handmaidens.  A servant
wearing a turban-like hat approached us and bowed, "I am
Londs", he said, "Chief servant of the Royal Household".

     I nodded in greeting, "I'm Brett and this is Urd", I
said, introducing us.

     He bowed again, "Their Royal Majesties would like to see
you as soon as possible", he said, gesturing for us to follow.

     Urd and I stood, walking slightly behind the Priestesses
and Londs, "What do you think?", I whispered to Urd.

     "I don't know", Urd whispered back, "I just hope we can
convince them to help us".

     We walked through the halls of the palace until we came
to a large balcony area.  The two Princesses were seated
facing each other and as we came in one looked in our
direction, "Please make yourselves comfortable", she said, "We
don't stand on ceremony here".

     Urd and I sat slightly behind the Priestesses, "Your
Majesties", Afura said politely, "I would like to introduce
some new guests from Earth".

     I stood and bowed slightly, "I am Brett", I introduced
myself, "And my companion here is named Urd".

     One of the Princesses looked amused, "Unusual names", she
said, "Even for ones from Earth".

     I shrugged and resumed my seat.  Londs stepped forward,
"My I introduce the Princesses Rune-Venus and Fatora".

     Urd smiled, "Pleased to meet you both", she said
pleasantly.

     "Indeed", Fatora said, smiling rather broadly, "We are
*most* pleased to meet someone as beautiful as yourself".

     "You're too kind", Urd said modestly.

     Rune-Venus cleared her throat, "Well perhaps you would
like to meet your countrymen then?", she asked.  Without
waiting for a reply she turned to Londs, "Summon Makoto", she
ordered.

     Fatora was stilling looking at Urd longingly, "So tell us
how you arrived here", she invited.

     I cleared my throat, "Well, Your Majesty...", I began.

     "*SILENCE*", Fatora bellowed at me, "I asked Urd, not
you!".

     I frowned, not used to being spoken to quite like that. 
Urd smiled at me reassuringly and began to explain how we'd
been caught up in Makoto's spell.  As she finished, the object
of our conversation came into the room, wearing his long white
robe, "You called your Majesties?", Makoto asked.

     I was amazed at the resemblance he had to Princess Fatora
and looked back and forth between the two of them several
times.  "Makoto, you may remember these people", Rune-Venus
said, gesturing to the two of us.

     Makoto almost fell over when he saw us, "YOU!", he said
in amazement, "How did you two get here??!?!".

     "That's what we'd like to know", I said sarcastically,
"One minute we were at the high school, next we wake up on top
of Mount Muldoon".

     "Err... well... I...", Makoto began awkwardly.

     "What we really want to know is: can you send us back
home?", Urd asked, cutting him off.

     Makoto smiled weakly, "Umm.. no", he said in a small
voice.

     "WHAT!?!?", Urd and I said together.

     Makoto took a step back as the two of us came to our feet
angrily, "Look.. I can explain", he said quickly, "The power
needed is quite immense... and I burned out most of my
equipment saving Ifurita".

     "So there's *no* way home?", I asked in a half-amazed
voice.

     "I didn't say that", Makoto said, "It might just take a
little planning.... and a lot of luck".

                                  ******

     "Come on!", Urd encouraged, "Drink up!".

     I shook my head, "No thanks", I replied, "Not after last
time".

     I was sitting beside Urd at a large table, on my left was
Afura, on the other side of Urd was Princess Fatora. 
Something was definitely unusual about that young Princess,
she seemed a little too friendly with Urd for my liking.  I
glanced across the table to where Makoto was sitting with
Ifurita.  It was hard to imagine that such a delicate young
lady could be such a fearsome creature.  "So what made you
decide to stay here?", I asked Makoto.

     He shrugged, "Life here is a bit better than what I had
at home, here there's clean air and water", he explained, "I'm
also doing important work for the country, researching ancient
devices, left over from the Great Holy War".

     I nodded, "And of course, your friend there probably
wouldn't last long in our world", I concluded.

     Makoto nodded and smiled at his lovely companion, "That's
true as well", he said in a soft voice.  Ifurita noticed his
attention and looked up from her conversation with Shayla and
smiled shyly.

     I couldn't seem to find an appetite and I found myself
almost dozing as everyone else finished their meals.  Urd
tapped me on the shoulder, "Are you alright?", she asked.

     I nodded sleepily, "Just a little tired", I replied.

     Just then the door to the room opened and a young girl
hurried inside, "How could you not invite *ME*", she whined. 
Then she noticed Urd and her eyes went wide.  Unfortunately
she also noticed how much attention Princess Fatora was giving
her.  The young lady walked quickly across the room and
insinuated herself between Urd and Fatora (much to Fatora's
annoyance), "Hello there", she said to Urd, grabbing onto her
arm, "I'm Alielle".

     Urd smiled a little awkwardly, "Err.. I'm Urd", she
replied

     Alielle hugged her arm, "Oh, that's a lovely name", she
said, "And you are such a beautiful woman".

     Urd tried to disentangle herself from Alielle, "Thank
you", she said awkwardly.

     I was nearly dozing off again, when Princess Rune-Venus
stood, "I feel it is time to retire", she said, "Londs..
please show our guests their rooms".

     Fatora stood, "No, No", she said, "*I'll* show Urd to her
room personally".

     Alielle wrapped her arms around Urd, "No, let me", she
said.

     Urd was panicking at this stage and seeing me as a way
out, grabbed my arm, "That's ok, we're used to sharing a
room", she said.

     I was so sleepy I didn't even object.  Fatora walked from
the room without a word, Alielle trailing behind her.  I
managed to follow the servant that showed us the way and I
practically fell into the bed, "Ahh.. that's better", I said,
wriggling around to get comfortable.

     I felt movement beside me and rolled over, coming face to
face with Urd, who was laying coyly beside me, "Are you *that*
tired?", she asked in a low voice.

     Now *that* woke me up, I rolled back to the other side of
the bed, "What?!?", I asked, remembering that she'd said
something about sharing a room.

     Urd laughed at my expression, "Relax Brett", she said,
"If we weren't sharing a room, I have a feeling I'd be getting
visits from either Princess Fatora or Alielle.... or both!".      
I nodded and laid back out on the bed.  Urd also laid down and
the two of us fell into a deep sleep.

                                  ******

     Everything was a kaleidoscope of colours, shifting and
turning.  I didn't know where the ground was, but my feet
seemed firmly set in place.  I looked around the crazy place
and saw formations of stars flowing past, huge planets and
smaller nebulae.  Things were spinning out of control and I
shouted out loud for whoever it was to stop it.

     "Brett?", came a voice I recognised.

     I turned around to see a befuddled Urd, also looking
around curiously.  I looked at her closely, "Urd?", I asked,
"Are you real?".

     She nodded and I touched hands with her, "What's going
on?", she asked.

     I thought for a moment, "I could be wrong, but I think
we're both dreaming", I replied.

     Urd nodded, "I thought it was something like that", she
agreed, "But this must be one of your dreams, cause mine
aren't nearly so colourful".

     "Thank you Miss 'Magic Mushroom'", I replied
sarcastically.

     "HEY!", Urd said defensively, "I *almost* never use those
in my potions any more!".

     The spinning colours around us suddenly came together in
a blinding flash of white light.  As it cleared I looked out
onto a magnificent city, strange vehicles floated across the
sky and people walked busily through a packed street.  "That's
Tokyo!", Urd said, recognising some of the landmarks.

     "It looks a little advanced for Tokyo", I pointed out,
indicating the hovering aircraft and strange sky-rail that
crisscrossed the city.  A figure in blue and red streaked
across the sky, leaving a sonic boom in his wake.  I gave Urd
a strange look, "Since when do people fly like that?", I
asked.

     Urd sighed, "Well, it's your dream", she said, "You tell
me where it is!".

     I was about to reply, when there was a sudden shudder and
a bright flash of white.  Then we were back in the shifting
patterns again.  Again we rolled and tumbled, until we came to
another flash of light and another world appeared before us,
this one seemed parched and destroyed.  It was an endless
desert in every direction, with huge gaping craters dotting
the landscape.  In one of the craters was the remains of a
city, broken skyscrapers and the shells of vehicles stuck up
into the air like grasping claws.

     "This isn't much of an improvement", Urd pointed out.

     "HEY!", I said, "It's not like I'm controlling this or
anything!".  The light flashed again and we were tumbling.

     "I'm getting quite sick of this!", Urd said
exasperatedly, "What the hell is going on with this crazy
dream?".  I kept my mouth shut and just waited to see where we
ended up this time.  There was a flash of light and I felt a
falling sensation.

                                  ******

     I woke up with a small start.  I looked around the
darkened room I was sharing with Urd, nothing seemed to be out
of place.  Speaking of Urd, she was curled up beside me, one
of her arms across my chest.  I smiled at her expression, it
was so relaxed and innocent and she looked so beautiful, that
found myself leaning over and kissing her gently on the cheek.

     Her eyes fluttered opened and I smiled guilty at her
bemused expression.  "That was a pleasant way to wake up", she
said, smiling cutely.

     I blushed, "Well.. you just looked so.... I... well... ",
I said awkwardly.

     Urd laughed, her voice tinkling lightly in the cool
evening air, "Brett, I've been waiting for you to do that for
a long time", she said, bringing her head up to lean against
my shoulder.

     "You have?", I asked in an amazed voice.

     Urd punched me in the shoulder, "You know for a
supposedly smart guy.. you sure can be dumb sometimes", she
chided me gently.

     I laughed, "Well... I guess so", I replied.

     Urd rolled over, the length of her body rubbing against
my own, "Brett", she said quietly, "I think.... I'm in love
with you".

     "You are?!?!", I asked in an even more amazed voice.

     Urd punched me in the shoulder again, "Stop that!", she
said in a half-angry tone of voice, she rolled over on top of
me and tried to smother me with a pillow.

     I grabbed her arm and stopped her playful mauling. 
"Hey... take it easy!", I said, "I love you too".

     Urd stopped and looked at me with wide-eyes, "You do?",
she asked in an amazed voice.

     "Hey!", I said in protest, "That's my line!".

     Urd laid down on top of me, resting her chin on my chest,
"You're serious, aren't you?", she asked.

     I looked down at her with a smiled, "Yes I am", I said
firmly, "Are you?".

     In answer she kissed me passionately.  I returned her
kiss and wrapped my arms around her in a tight embrace.  We
then just laid looking at each other for a long time.  Finally
Urd broke the embrace and sat facing me, "How long did you
plan to let things go until you told me?", she asked
curiously.

     I laughed softly, "Urd", I said seriously, "I was half in
love with you after the first week living at the temple".

     She frowned, "But I was so mean to you", she protested.

     I smiled, "True.. but you hadn't gotten to know me yet",
I replied, "And I didn't hold that against you... I saw how
much you cared about Belldandy and Keiichi... how you always
tried to help their relationship along... since then you've
been a constant friend".

     Urd managed a smile in response, "I should have guessed
when that love potion had such a profound effect on you", she
replied, "My potions are good... but not *that* good".

     I laughed, looking back at it, it did show that I'd
fallen for Urd pretty hard.  At the time, I was struggling not
to let the potion hold sway and it was quite a fight so I
didn't really think about why I'd had such a strong reaction
to it.

     Urd nodded slowly and then laid down next to me again,
"So what now?", Urd asked in a soft voice.

     I scratched my chin, absently noticing that I'd need to
have a shave in the morning, "Well...", I said, thinking out
loud, "I think first we should concentrate on getting home...
Makoto said he'll try and explain the principles behind
dimensional travel to me tomorrow..".

     Urd gave me an angry glare, "NOT THAT!", she said, "I
just told you that I love you!  what are we going to do about
that?!?!".

     "Oh...", I mumbled, "Well.. what do *you* think we should
do about it?".

     Urd's face lost it's angry expression, "Well...", she
said, "I... I mean we're here now... alone...".  She blushed
deeply, "I thought maybe....", she began.

     I hugged her again, "Urd... ", I said seriously, "Let's
take things one step at a time, I mean last night we were
'just friends'".

     Urd frowned, "What?", she asked tersely, "Is there
something wrong with me?".

     I laughed openly at that and kissed her tenderly, "You
are the most beautiful, passionate, sensual, exciting woman I
know", I replied, then I dropped my voice to a whisper, "I
just don't think we're quite alone here".

     Urd's eyes narrowed and she glanced slowly around the
room, "Where?", she whispered back.

     I nodded to a picture on one wall, I had noticed that one
of the eyes seemed to be moving.  Urd whispered a quick spell,
there was a muffled scream from behind the painting and the
sound of running feet.  I grinned at Urd, "Not bad", I
commented, "But the cooks are going to wonder what happened to
their fresh-baked pies".

     Urd relaxed and rested one hand lightly on my chest, "Now
what were you saying about me being beautiful?", she purred.

                                  ******

     Alielle frowned at the condition of Princess Fatora as
she returned from her late night expedition.  "How in the
world did you get covered in *THAT*", she asked curiously.

     "OH SHUT UP!", Fatora growled, as she reached for a
washbasin.  She carefully picked the pie crusts out of her
hair and removed the sticky mess from her face.

     She walked over to bed and sat down, ignoring Alielle's
constant fawning and talk.  "So did you see them?", Alielle
whispered finally.

     Fatora nodded, "It's a pity", she said, "Beauty like hers
is wasted on *him*".

     Alielle sighed, "Well.. you can't have everything", she
said.

     Fatora grinned mischeviously, "Oh.. can't I?", she asked.

                                  ******

     I awoke to the sound of Urd snoring quietly and I
carefully slipped out of her embrace.  I walked quietly across
the room and out on to the balcony.  The sun had already risen
and a few wispy clouds drifted overhead.  I rubbed my chin,
noticing the small amount of stubble that had grown there
overnight.  Now that I was totally awake, it sent alarm bells
ringing straight away.

     I raced over to a mirror and at a glance noticed
something missing.  Ever since I had made my wish, there was a
marking that sat high on my forehead, usually I covered it up
with my hair.  It was gone.  I looked down at my clothes,
which were rather rumpled after being slept in all night. 
Whispering a command word, I snapped my fingers.  Nothing
happened.

     I tried casting a forcefield spell, again nothing
happened.  I ran through every spell I could recall, every one
ended in failure.  I walked slowly back over to the bed and
sat down.  "What am I suppose to do now?", I mumbled to
myself.

     I felt a pair of arms go around me and I got a light kiss
on my ear, "Morning Brett", Urd greeted me.

     I managed a weak smile and she frowned, "I know you're
not a morning person", she commented, "But this is bad even
for you".

     I shook off her grasp and stood, walking across the room
I sat down in a chair.  "Urd", I said in a serious tone, "I
think we've got a serious problem".

     She raised her eyebrows, "What?", she asked bluntly.

     I lifted the hair from my forehead, "I'm not a god
anymore", I explained quietly.

     "NO!", Urd said, jumping up from the bed and crossing the
room.  She examined my forehead carefully, "That can't be
right!", she argued.

     I took her hand, "It's right", I said, then I ran her
hand over my jaw, "Feel that?", I asked.  She nodded and I
shook my head, "I haven't had to shave since the second night
I stayed at the temple", I explained, "I've also tried every
spell I can think of.. nothing works".

     She shook her head in disbelief, I walked to the balcony,
"Looks like my wish just ran out", I said ruefully.

     Urd walked up behind me and placed her arms around me,
"Don't worry", she whispered, "Everything will be alright".

     I nodded and tried to make myself believe her.  There was
a knock at the door and it opened slowly.  "Ahh.. hello?",
came a hesitant call.

     "Come in!", Urd called, turning to the door, but keeping
one arm around me.

     The young lady smiled brightly, "I'm Nanami", she said
brightly, "I just heard about your arrival!". 

     I smiled, "So you're the young lady that can see through
illusions?", I asked.

     Nanami nodded, "You heard about that?? well it's not
*really* that useful, except when the Phantom Tribe decides to
send a spy into the Palace", she explained.

     "So what can we do for you?", Urd asked.

     "Well", Nanami began, "Makoto asked me to come and get
you, he said he had something he wanted to show you".

                                  ******

     Makoto Mizuhara wiped his forehead with the back of his
hand, sweat dripped down his face, stinging his eyes. 
Carefully attaching the last piece of the machine in front of
him, he wished again that he'd thought to install an air
conditioner in his workshop.

     He was sitting, surrounded by many different pieces of
technology.  Some of it was rusted beyond recognition, other
pieces were untouched by the passage of time.  Since he'd
started searching for a way to bring Ifurita back, he'd been
collecting anything even remotely related to ancient El Hazard
technology.  He had quite a collection, probably the best on
the planet, "Almost wasn't enough", he murmured, looking at
the blackened and burnt-out portal he'd developed.  It was no
wonder the device had been ruined getting them back, with Urd
and Brett tagging along.

     He smiled at his latest creation and placed a hand
carefully on it's uneven surface.  A glow began deep within
the foot-ball sized device, spreading out to cover the whole
outer casing.  A moment later it rose from the workbench and
hovered several feet above Makoto's head.

     "Makoto!", called Ninami from the doorway, "Your 'guests'
are here".

     He gave her a wry grin and gestured the two visitors
over, "Here", he said, indicating the miniature Eye Of God
that hovered above the desk, "This might help you get home".

     Brett eyed it dubiously, "It might?", he asked.

     Makoto looked at Brett sharply, this didn't seem like the
same person he'd talked to over dinner.  There was something
different, he seemed sullen and a bit depressed.  Then Brett
noticed Makoto's expression and smiled slightly, "Ok mate..
how does it work?", he asked.

     Makoto walked over to where he had a small remote control
set up, "This device will open a portal to another dimension",
he explained, "Don't ask me how.. all I know is that it
works".  He pressed a button and a spark of lightning passed
over the object.  The lightning kept building, spinning
wildly, until a small black hole appeared.

     Everyone marvelled at it, except Brett, who was shading
his eyes, "What the hell is that, it's so bright that I can't
make it out", he asked.

     Urd, Makoto and Ninami exchanged glances, "What's
wrong?", Urd asked.

     "The light's blinding me!", Brett complained, "It was
alright till you started it up... now I can't see a bloody
thing!".

     Makoto frowned and switched off the device.  Brett
carefully uncovered his eyes, "Hey!", he said, "Warn a guy
next time!".

     Urd examined Brett's face carefully, "You're still seeing
light from it?", she asked, looking back and forth between
Brett and the device.

     Brett nodded, "Aren't you?", he asked, looking around at
the three of them.

     The other three shook their heads, "What does it look
like to you?", Makoto asked curiously.

     Brett shrugged, "Err... well... it's like you've got the
blinds on your window drawn and one isn't quite lined up with
the others", he explained, "Letting a beam a light into the
otherwise dark room".

     He walked closer to the device, "It's not like sunlight..
the colours keep shifting, one second it's blue-green, then
it's a deep red", he continued, "When you turned it on, it was
like all the colours came together and formed something like
sunlight".

     He shook his head, as if to clear it, "And you can't see
anything unusual?", he asked.

     "Perhaps...", Ninami said slowly, "This is the ability
you gained travelling to El Hazard".

     Makoto nodded, "That's probably it", he agreed.

     Brett looked almost angry and he glared sullenly at the
device, "It wasn't worth it", he mumbled, glancing at Urd.

     Urd didn't notice, she was too busy examining the
controls of the little Eye of God, "How long will it take you
to work out a way to send us back?", she asked eagerly.

     Makoto shook his head, "It isn't that simple", he said,
gesturing over at the burned out equipment, "That's all that's
left of my portal and this prototype isn't going to get you
there...".

     Brett walked over and examined the burnt out equipment,
"This stuff is glowing pretty strongly", he said, "In fact
looking at that ring there is almost like looking at the
sun!".

     Makoto nodded, "That's where the portal broke through the
dimensional barrier", he said, walking up beside Brett.

     Brett turned away from it, "This is more like a window
that's open on a sunny day, with a beam of light streaming
in!", he said, "Too bright to look at for long".

     Makoto nodded, "It seems that you can see where the
dimensional barrier has been broken", he said carefully, "That
might have come in handy when I was looking for a way to get
Ifurita back".

     Brett frowned, "Why?", he asked.

     Makoto shrugged, "If you can break the barrier at a
natural weak point, it'll only require a fraction of the
power", he explained, "The only problem would be finding the
weak point that is nearest to the Earth you want".

     "*AHEM*", a guard said, interrupting their discussion,
"The Princess Fatora requests your attendance".

     Brett nodded and began to walk across the room, but the
guard held up a hand, "Not you", he said, "She requested that
Urd attend her".

     Urd frowned, "What does she want?", she asked.

     The guard shrugged, "I don't know my Lady", he said, "I
wouldn't presume to guess her Majesty's mind".

     "Even if you could ever find it", Nanami muttered under
her breath.

     The guard's face twisted up in the hint of a smile, "I'm
sure I don't know what you mean My Lady", he said to Nanami.  

                                  ******

     I felt a small twinge of warning as Urd followed the
guard from the room.  Makoto was silently examining the mock-
up Eye of God and I gave him a curious look, "Care to explain
about Fatora?", I asked.

     Nanami laughed loudly, from where she was standing at the
window, "Let's say she has unusual tastes", she commented.

     I nodded, "I figured as much", then I looked around, "So
there's not much you can do for us huh?", I asked Makoto.

     Makoto shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry", he said, "But I
wouldn't know where to start....".

     I nodded and walked towards the door.  "Where are you
going?", Nanami asked.

     I gave her a shrug, "No where", I replied, "Just for a
walk".

     Before she could offer to accompany me, I slipped outside
and started down the corridor.  Not really watching where I
was going I ended up in a large garden, it had a spectacular
view and I watched the horizon for a few moments.  Reflexively
I swatted at a fly that was buzzing near my ear, unfortunately
the fly was a bit bigger than what I'd consider the norm (and
believe me, Australia has some BIG flys, but a foot long is
just a little too much, don't you agree?).

     I was about to call for assistance (ie: scream in fear)
when it suddenly jumped from my shoulder and flew around in
front of me, just out of arm's length.  It hovered at eye
level and made a strange buzzing noise.  It flew away a few
meters and then back to me.  I followed the strange-looking
creature as it led me through the gardens, to a point where a
large floating ship was waiting.

     It flew onto the ship and landed.  I looked around
carefully, not noticing anyone in close proximity.  Walking up
the plank I looked down at the little fly, "So now what?", I
asked it.

     A pair of strong arms grabbed me from behind and I felt
myself lifted from the ground.  Striking out with a foot, I
connected not with flesh, but with the hard shell of some kind
of insect.  Remembering Shayla and Afura's tale of the
'Bugrom' I went limp suddenly.

     "CAREFUL!", a voice shouted, "I don't want my prize
damaged!".

     The bug made some kind of reply and lowered me carefully
to the deck.  I felt it's hands/feelers/whatever checking me
over for injuries and I hooked my foot around the joint in one
of it's back legs, "Surprise!", I shouted, pushing the bug and
pulling with my leg.

     The Bugrom fell off to one side and I leapt to my feet,
only to find myself surrounded by five Bugrom solders. 
Looking around I noticed that we were no longer attached to
the palace garden and were rapidly moving away.  At the tiller
of the craft was a young man, he was wearing some kind of
armour (which looked a little insectoid itself) and had a
triumphant look on his face.

     "Oh no!", he chided me, "You aren't getting away... not
from me!!!", then he began to laugh.  I've known people who's
laughs really annoy me, one of my best friends has a laugh
that drives me nuts.  But this guy... this guy's laugh made me
want to strangle the very life from him.

     Since it was obvious that I couldn't escape from the bugs
and even if I could I'd have to figure out a way to fly, I
offered no resistance as they tied me up, binding my hands
behind my back.

     "CHICO!", the young maniac called from the tiller, "You
come here and steer this thing!".  I watched silently as the
young man walked calmly towards me and sat down on the deck
opposite me.

     "So", he said, feigning polite conversation, "You're new
around here, aren't you?".

     "Mate", I disdainfully, my usual manners deserting me,
"You just figure that out?? I guess you've got a brain smaller
than these bugs".

     "SILENCE!", he screamed in my face, "YOU WILL ADDRESS ME
AS LORD JINNAI!".

     I gave him a curious look, "Or what?", I asked.

     He raised his fist and I braced myself.  But to my
surprise one of the bugs grabbed his arm before he could swing
and shook it's head.

     Jinnai controlled himself with an effort, "Very well
then", he said, "Only because Queen Deva insists that you are
not to be harmed".

     I suddenly found myself blindfolded and I fumed in
silence.  I concentrated hard, but couldn't access even the
least amount of power, I couldn't even call Urd for help.  My
expression must have been confusing to anyone watching me,
bound and blindfolded, but a small smile on my face.  Urd was
the only one who could help me now... and I was thinking of
all the unpleasant things that would be waiting for these bugs
once she found me.

                                  ****** 

     Urd had a grim expression on her face as the guard led
her through the halls of the palace.  She was still coming to
terms with her new relationship with Brett and things had
taken sudden turn.  "Hell", Urd thought, "I only get things
straightened out with him... and..".  Now she had to deal with
a princess who had a great deal of influence with the people
who could help her.  Urd shuddered slightly, remember the
looks that Fatora had been giving her last night at dinner, it
was only her quick thinking that had averted an embarrassing
situation.

     "Please proceed", the guard said, gesturing for her to
enter an open archway, "the princess awaits you inside".

     Urd nodded curtly and walked in.  She was pleasantly
surprised to see a simple room, tastefully decorated and have
a kind of 'hominess' about it.  In the middle of the room, on
a large pile of pillows was the princess.

     "Do come in", Fatora drawled, "I've been so wanting to
speak to you".

     Urd walked across the room and sat down on a pillow
opposite the lounging princess.  "What did you want to speak
to me about, your highness?", Urd asked.

     "Oh", Fatora said, gesturing negligently, "This and
that...".

     Urd frowned slightly, "I'm afraid that I do have some
rather pressing matters...", she began.

     "Nothing that can't wait", Fatora said firmly, "What I
have to offer you is so much more important".

     Urd looked almost amused, "And what might that be?", she
asked finally.

     Fatora leaned closer, "Something a commoner such as
yourself can't possibly imagine", she said, "A chance to
become my concubine".

     Urd paused for a moment before she burst out laughing,
"Concubine?!?!", she laughed, "Me?!?!?".  Urd continued to
laugh and Fatora's expression darkened.

     "You find something amusing in my offer?", Fatora asked
icily.

     Urd's laugher finally subsided and she shook her head,
"You really don't give up, do you?", she asked.

     Fatora pretended confusion, "I'm sure I don't know what
you mean", she said innocently.

     Urd smiled, "I'm sure", she said, "and I have to ask how
you managed to get that raspberry tart out of your hair so
easily?".

     Fatora's eyes flashed angrily, "How did you do that?",
she snapped, "Is that the ability you gained coming here from
earth?".

     Urd was about to respond when Alielle walked into the
room carrying a tray with some wine on it, "Here we go", she
said in a cheerful voice, "I'm sure we'll all feel better
after some refreshment".

     Fatora nodded curtly and accepted the glass she was
offered.  Urd took the offered drink and sipped at it
cautiously, "Not bad", she said.

     Alielle sat herself beside Fatora, resting her head on
the princess' leg, "I'm so glad you decided to visit with us",
Alielle purred.

     Urd grimaced, "I wasn't aware I had a choice in the
matter", she said, "All things considered I'd rather be back
with Brett, trying to find a way home".

     Alielle sat up sharply, "But wouldn't you prefer to stay
with us?", she asked curiously, "Makoto and the others all
seem to prefer it here".

     Urd shook her head, "I can't abandon my family.. my
sisters would be lost without me", she replied, "Besides the
sooner I get Brett back the sooner he gets his...".  Urd broke
off sharply, realising that she was saying too much.

     "His what?", Alielle asked curiously.

     "Never mind", Urd said, "You wouldn't understand".

     "Come now", Fatora encouraged her, "You can tell us...".

     Urd opened her mouth to answer and then looked sharply at
the drink in her hand.  She whispered a quick spell and the
drink in the glass turned a dark purple colour.  She tossed
the glass to the ground, shattering it and splashing wine over
the shocked princess.  "You're drugging my drink now??!?!",
Urd demanded, "Who the hell do you think you are?!?!".

     Fatora stood up and raised her chin, "I am Princess
Fatora", she said, "And I do as I wish".

     Urd sneered, "Meaningless titles", she said, "A title
should be earned, not bestowed".

     "GUARDS!", Fatora shouted angrily.

     A pair of palace guards burst into the room, bowing
slightly, "Yes your highness?", one asked.

     Fatora pointed at Urd, "Lock her up!", she said, "And
once you've located her friend.. lock him up too!".

     The guards advanced on Urd, who looked amused, "I know
the two of you are just following orders", she said to them,
"So I wont hurt you too badly".

     The guards exchanged a look of confusion, before each
reached out to grab her.  They got to within a few inches of
her skin, before a blinding flash of light filled the room. 
Fatora stepped back, stunned as the two guards were suddenly
lying on the ground and clutching at their arms.  Each guard's
arm was covered in a block of ice, from fingertip to elbow.

     Urd yawned slightly, "How tiresome", she said in a
pseudo-bored voice.

     Fatora was backing away step by step, "Who are you?!?!",
she demanded.

     Urd sighed, "So much of subtly", she said.  Raising her
arms she chanted a quick forcefield spell, covering the
doorway.

     Fatora reached the apparently open door, but found she
couldn't go any further.  Alielle was looking around
nervously, not sure what to do.

     "LET ME OUT!", Fatora screamed angrily, "I'll have your
head for this!!!!".

     "Yeah, right", Urd said sarcastically, "You still don't
have any idea what you're dealing with, do you?".

     Fatora's guards had managed to rid themselves of the ice
(which melted rather quickly) and stood in front of the
frightened princess.  "Don't worry highness", one said, "We'll
protect you".

     At that moment a messenger arrived at the doorstep,
"Highness!", he shouted, "The Bugrom have infiltrated the
palace!", and with that, he promptly knocked himself
unconscious on the invisible forcefield covering the door.

     "WHAT??!?!", Fatora demanded, looking quite shocked.

     Urd sat down on the pillows, "You don't have to be
concerned", she said, "Nothing and no one can pass through
that forcefield, so relax and we'll finish our conversation".

     Fatora slid to her knees on her mound of pillows, after
having had too many shocks for one day, "What do you want?",
she asked weakly.

     Urd gave her a speculative look, "Well for starters you
already know that I'm not in the least bit interested in your
offer", she said firmly, "And stop spying on myself and
Brett!".

     Fatora nodded slowly, "What else?", she asked.

     Urd stood and looked out the window, "It really is a nice
place here", she said quietly, "But if Brett and I don't get
home soon, there could be some problems".

     Alielle looked up from the corner were she was cowering
behind a plant, "What problems?", she asked.

     Urd shrugged, "Not your concern", she replied.

     Fatora stood, "Alright", she said firmly, "If you agree
to release us I will promise to be of no further hindrance".

     Urd smiled slightly, "Oh you're going to do more than
that", she said, smiling.

                                  ******

     When Fatora, Alielle, Urd and the two guards finally
emerged from Fatora's room, the princess had a slightly sick
expression on her face.  Urd knelt down beside the stunned
messenger and whispered a quick healing spell.

     The two guards helped the messenger to his feet, "Now
what was this about the Bugrom?", one guard asked.

     The messenger took a few moments to bring his eyes into
focus, "Oh!", he said groggily, "The Bugrom managed to
infiltrate the palace... they abducted someone from the royal
gardens!".

     "Who?", asked Fatora, "Not my sister?!?!".

     The messenger shook his head, "No highness", he replied,
"it was the newcomer, the earthling....".

     "WHAT!?!?!?!", Urd bellowed angrily, grabbing the
messenger by the collar and holding him close to her face,
"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!?!".

     Fatora, Alielle and their two guards began backing up
nervously, "I'm sure that my sister Rune is doing everything
possible...", Fatora began.

     One look from Urd silenced the princess and the angry
goddess dropped the startled (and now wide-awake) messenger,
turning to walk towards the throne room.  She arrived to find
pandemonium, guards, courtiers and messengers running to and
fro.  Summing up the situation, Urd let vent some of her
anger, "HOLD IT!", she ordered, in a magically-amplified
voice.

     The result was rather spectacular, several guards were
blown off their feet at the blast and everyone in the room had
to take several moments before the ringing in their ears
stopped.  Rune-Venus looked gratefully at Urd, "Now that your
attention is focused", she said loudly (for the benefit of
those still slightly deaf), "Would someone give me a report!".

     The guard-captain saluted and stepped forward, "Your
Highness", he said, "Our guards failed to take notice of the
Bugrom's transport.... for some reason it was only noticed
once they had abducted their hostage".

     "How is that possible?", Makoto asked, "Those barges are
as big as sailing ships, you'd have to be blind not to see
one!".

     The captain's face assumed a red colour, "Be that as it
may", he said, "My men did not see it!".

     "What is being done to help Brett?", Urd demanded
angrily.

     Rune-Venus gave her a compassionate look, "Friend Urd",
she said gently, "We are doing everything possible.. as soon
as I heard about it I dispatched three of our fastest attack
pods to pursue the Bugrom craft".

     Afura and Shayla hurried into the room, followed by
Makoto and Nanami. "We just heard the news", Afura said
breathlessly, "What can we do to help?".

     "We must go after him!", Makoto insisted, "I wouldn't
leave my worst enemy with the Bugrom...".  Nanami jammed an
elbow in his ribs when she noticed the already worried
expression on Urd's face become more pronounced.

     "Come on then!", Shayla said, starting to make her way
out of the throne room, "Our skimmer is ready to go!".

     "Wait!", Rune-Venus called, "You don't even know where
they are taking him... wait until the attack pods report
back!".

     Shayla stopped in mid-stride, before turning back to the
princess, "You're right", she said reluctantly.

     Urd sat down on one of the pillows to wait, her exterior
expression was one of calmness, but her mind was racing.  Here
she was, stuck on another dimension with only one person who
she could rely on and now he was missing and she was alone. 
Urd couldn't remember the last time she had been afraid, to
her knowledge she'd never been totally alone before.  Always
one of her sisters or one of the other gods had been with her
and it left a cold feeling in the pit of her stomach.

                                  ******

     I have no idea how long I spent lying on the transport,
it was probably only a few hours, but it seemed a lot longer. 
I was lifted from my position and thrown across the hard back
of a Bugrom soldier.  With the blindfold it was hard to judge
distance, but I would say that we'd only taken a few steps,
before the blindfold was removed and I blinked my eyes clear.

     The Bugrom were surrounding me and I looked back to see
we had entered a small cave.  Jinnai was talking animatedly to
a trio of the large flys, explaining something very carefully. 
The flys took off and a few moments later, I saw the
silhouette of the transport move away from the cave mouth.

     "There", Jinnai said, "Now no one will know were we've
put down".

     I was prodded along, deeper into the cave.  After about
half an hour I heard the sound of running water and we emerged
into a large cavern, with an underground river rushing through
it.  A boat of some kind was waiting beside the river, sitting
on the prow was a young boy, his skin was a dark blue colour.

     "Najato!", Jinnai called, "Your damn spell wore off
before we could make our escape".

     Najato looked haughtily at Jinnai, "If you couldn't
complete your mission in the time allotted...", he began.

     Jinnai huffed and motioned everyone to get in the boat. 
I carefully sat down, finding myself wedged between a big
orange bug and the young boy.  "So what's a young kid like you
doing with this lunatic?", I asked him.

     Najato shrugged, "It pays the bills", he said bluntly.

     I shook my head in disbelief.  The boat moved swiftly
through the underground streams, until I what I thought was
daylight from up ahead.  We moved out into the open and onto a
massive river, but it wasn't daylight I saw, it was reflected
moonlight.  At this point the bugs began paddling for the far
shore, with enough light to tell where we were going.  We
crossed the river swiftly and marched until almost dawn, when
we came upon a large hive.  I was stumbling slightly by this
point and was grateful for the chance to rest.  Jinnai led us
inside and I found myself locked into a cell of some kind.

     "Whosh there?", a drunken voice asked.

     I recoiled slightly from the smell in the room.  The air
was heavy with the bitter stink of alcohol and I blinked as
the fumes stung my eyes.  In the far corner of the room was a
stooped over figure, he had a bottle in one hand and a glass
in the other.

     "Well?", he asked, blinking at me, "Who're you?".

     "I'm Brett", I replied.

     "Brett?", the fellow asked, "Don't know no Brett".

     I shrugged, "Who are you?", I asked.

     The man scratched the back of his head, "You know
something?", he asked drunkenly, "I don't know anymore".

     I reached down and pulled the bottle from his hand, "If
you'd stop drinking....", I began.

     He became rather angry and tried to grab the bottle back,
"That's all they give me to drink!", he cried, "Nothing but
that stuff! and a beer now and then!".

     I frowned and looked at the bottle, sniffing it gingerly,
"Why would they give you alcohol to drink?", I asked
curiously, "Seems like an expensive way to keep a prisoner".

     He shrugged and made another grab for the bottle (Which I
held just outside his reach), "Otherwise, I'd break out of
here in two seconds!", he said.

     I nodded, "Sure you would", I said, not believing a word.

     The door opened slightly and a tray was shoved under the
door, a bug buzzed at me through the doorway.  I walked over
and picked up the tray, "Can I have some water?", I asked it,
"I'm quite thirsty after the walk".

     The Bugrom tilted it's head to the side and then nodded. 
It returned a few moments later with a cup of water.  I shook
my head, "No I'm *really* thirsty, could I have four or five
jugs full?".

     It tilted it's head again and seemed to think for a
moment.  The it buzzed it's agreement (not seeing anything
wrong with me drinking lots of water) and returned about
fifteen minutes later with several jugs full of water. 
"Thanks", I said to it.  It buzzed what I assumed to be a
'you're welcome' and bolted the door shut.

     I walked over to my drunk companion and passed him a jug
of water, "Here you go", I said, "If they've given you nothing
but booze since you got here, I'd think you should be pretty
thirsty".

                                  ******

     Urd had finally been persuaded to return to her room for
the night and was lying on the bed, trying to sleep.  She
wasn't having much luck.  She rolled on her back and stared at
the ceiling, examining the intricate patterns for a while. 
Shivering slightly she pulled the covers over herself. 
Closing her eyes she tried not to think and just let sleep
overcome her.

     Suddenly she found herself floating in a black void,
stars floated by and every so often a comet whizzed by. 
Looking around sharply she pinched herself.  "Well", she said,
talking to herself, "Looks like this is a dream, cause that
didn't hurt".

     "G'DAY!", a familiar voice called.

     Urd looked around sharply, floating a few meters away was
Brett.  He grinned at her, "Hiya Urd", he said, "Having fun?".

     Urd reached out and grabbed him by the shoulder, pulling
him into a hug, "Where the hell have you been?", she asked,
almost angrily, "Do you have any idea how worried I've been?".

     Brett returned her hug, "I've only been gone one day", he
said, then added softly, "I missed you too".

     Loosening the hug slightly, Brett looked into her eyes
seriously, "I'm afraid that this is only a dream", he said.

     Urd smiled, "Well", she said, hugging him again, "If
that's the case I think I'd be happy to stay here for a
while".

     Brett laughed, "Me too", he said, "But I don't know how
or why we're dreaming together....".

     Urd nodded, "In all the confusion I forgot to ask you if
you'd had an unusual dream last night", she said.

     Suddenly everything seemed to shift and a bright flash of
rainbow light surrounded them.  Urd and Brett clung together
as they were pulled into a maelstrom of light and sound.  When
they could open their eyes they were sitting on the edge of a
lake.  Brett looked around curiously, "Well.. it's nicer than
those dreams last night", he observed.

     Urd stood up and looked around, they were standing on the
edge of a large lake, not far from what looked like a modern
day house.  "Unusual design", Urd noted, pointing at the
house.  It was rather geometric in appearance, a skylight
dominated one section of the bright red roof.

     "Come back here you old mummy!", echoed around the lake. 
Brett and Urd watched as a young lady flew (literally) out of
one of the top floor windows, carrying a bag on her shoulder.

     "No way", the young woman said, sticking her tongue out
at the person inside the house, "If I let a screw up like you
wash Tenchi's underwear, we'll never be able to have kids"

     "I told you", said another young lady who appeared at the
window, "It's not my fault... I didn't know you weren't
suppose to use starch....".

     Urd and Brett exchanged a confused look as the front door
to the house opened and a little girl ran out, "Ryoko, Ayeka!
please stop fighting!", she cried, looking up at the arguing
pair (who ignored her totally and began exchanging insults)

     "Hey", Brett said, pointing, "Get a load of that!".

     Sitting on the little girl's shoulder was a tiny creature
that resembled a rabbit.  However the little creature was
meowing angrily at the two above.  Suddenly the little
creature jumped down from the girl's shoulder and began
hopping towards the startled Urd and Brett.

     "Meow?", it seemed to ask, stopping in front of them.

     "Err", Brett said, "G'day little fella....".

     He reached out his hand to pet the little creature, but
his hand passed right though it, startling both himself and
the animal.  A moment later the little girl ran up, apparently
not noticing the two companions, "Ryo-Ohki!", she scolded it,
"You naughty little girl... What are you doing?".

     Ryo-Ohki meowed and jumped up and down frantically.  The
little girl frowned, "What's wrong?", she asked, staring
around carefully.

     Brett moved his hand in front of her face carefully,
noticing no reaction he shrugged, "Looks like we're invisible
to the locals", he said.

     "Except one", Urd pointed out, bending down and examining
the creature, "I've never seen anything like it".

     Brett shrugged, "No argument here", he said, "Do you have
any idea where we are?".

     Urd was about to reply when a voice spoke up, "You're in
the dream world", it said.

     Brett and Urd turned to look at a young girl, with bright
red hair, who was suddenly standing behind them, eyeing them
calmly.  "Who are you?", Urd asked, "And how come you can see
us?".

     "My name is Washu", the girl replied, "and I can see you
because I'm the greatest scientific mind in the universe!".

     Brett raised an eyebrow, "Oh?", he asked, "And what
universe would that be?".

     Washu shrugged, "It doesn't matter really", she said, "I
noticed the two of you with my subspace sensors...".  She
broke off as she noticed Ryo-Ohki's little gymnastics act, "I
guess I'm not the only one", she finished.

     Brett and Urd exchanged a glance, "If you can detect us",
Urd surmised, "Could you help us get home? we've been pulled
out of our universe...".

     "Of course", Washu replied firmly, "I *am* the
greatest..".

     "Yeah, Yeah", Brett said, "scientific mind in the
universe".
     
     Washu gave him a stony look, "Yes", she agreed, "I could
possibly return you to your own universe.... but not at the
moment".

     Urd frowned, "Why not?", she asked, a little angrily.

     "Well for one thing", Washu replied, "You aren't really
here".

     "What?", Brett asked.

     "Oh no", Washu replied, "If you were here physically
there might be something I can do.... but since you're only
here astrally....".

     Brett frowned, "I don't suppose you know why we're here
astrally?", he asked.

     Washu thought for a few moments, "Well", she said, "Your
subconscious must be searching for a way home... but it's very
rare for two astral travellers to arrive at exactly the same
place....".  She paced back and forth for a while before
nodded, "That's it", she said, "You two must be linked
somehow".

     "Huh?", Urd said, confused.

     Washu grinned, "You know", she said suggestively,
clasping her hands, "Linked!".

     Brett blushed slightly, "No that can't be it", he said
gruffly, turning to examine Ryo-Ohki more closely.

     Urd smiled slightly, "Well you're close", she said
quietly to Washu.

     Washu winked and suddenly a computer screen appeared
before her, "According to my readings, you're several
universes over at the moment", she explained, "If you can get
here physically, I'm almost sure I can get you home".

     "Almost sure?", Brett asked.

     "Hey!", Washu said, "It's better than the chance you've
got of getting home without me... or would you rather try
hunting through billions and billions of alternate universes
until you got home?".

     Urd shook her head quickly and gave Brett a warning
glance, "No that's alright Washu", she said, "If you could
tell us how to get to you physically?".

     "Hmmm", Washu mused, "In exactly fifteen days there will
be a natural portal opening in the universe you are currently
in.. if you can find it... you'll be able to step into another
dimension, one a lot 'closer' to mine".

     "And then what?", Brett asked.

     "Then you should try to contact me again", Washu said,
"I'll direct you from there".  She brought up some data on a
computer montior that appeared from nothing, "I don't know
exactly how many universes you have to get thought before I
can pick you up, but I'll let you know when you're close
enough".

     "Hold on a second", Brett said, "I don't even know how we
managed this visit...".

     "Well", Washu said, "That's your problem... if you can
get closer to me I can pull you through into this universe and
from here I can try to get you home".

     Brett sighed, "It seems like a rather roundabout way to
get home", he complained.

     Urd grabbed Brett's arm, muttering a quick 'excuse us' to
Washu, she pulled him a few meters away, "What's wrong with
you?", she asked, "This may be our only chance to get home!".

     Brett bowed his head slightly, "Sorry", he apologised,
"But remember I'm stuck in a dungeon, with some guy who's
totally bombed and keeps talking about mountain climbing!".

     Urd brushed some of the hair back from his forehead
fondly, "Don't worry", she said, "I'll find you...".  Urd
broke off suddenly and looked at Brett in concern.

     "What?", Brett asked, seeing a touch of fear in her eyes.

     He rushed over to the lake and looked into his reflection
in it's surface, just above his eyebrows a pair of dark lines
were visible.  "Oh no", he said softly.

                                  ******

     I startled awake and glanced around groggily.  A large
orange bug was tapping my shoulder, it buzzed at me
insistently.  "What?", I mumbled.

     It grabbed me and helped me roughly to my feet.  I shook
the sleep out of my eyes and glanced around.  My cell-mate was
sleeping peacefully and I smiled slightly.

     The bug shoved me towards the door, "Fair enough", I
replied, walking where it had indicated.

     Outside the cell, I found myself surrounded by three more
bugrom soldiers and I followed along quietly.  The complex was
like a giant beehive (no surprise there) and there was an
insistent buzzing in the background.  Although the light was
rather dim, I made out at least ten different varieties of
Bugrom, all engaged in some kind of work.

     The giant bugs halted outside an ornate door and one
knocked respectfully.  "Enter", a voice called from inside.

     I was pushed forward and I reluctantly took a step into
the room.  I was greeted by the sight of a huge throne room,
with a large dais at one end.  "Please, step forward", a woman
said calmly from where she sat on the throne.  I walked inside
warily, noticing that there were several dozen bugrom soldiers
milling around the walls.  The woman had a wealth of red hair
and a commanding gaze, "I am Deva", she said, "I rule here".

     A familiar figure stepped out from behind the throne,
"And of course you know Lord Jinnai", she continued.

     Jinnai smiled broadly and leant against the side of the
throne, "I haven't forgotten you", he said, smirking.

     "Alright", I said, "You've got me.. now what are you
going to do with me?".

     Deva smiled, "I'm going to offer you a place in my
service", she announced.

     Jinnai looked almost as startled as I was, "Deva!", he
said, "What are you talking about?".

     Deva gave him a scornful look, "Jinnai", she said, her
voice cracking like a whip, "Remember your place! I make the
decisions here, you will obey me!".

     Jinnai controlled himself with great effort, "Yes, my
queen", he growled out.

     It took a few moments for me to speak, "I'm flattered", I
said dryly.

     Deva smiled, "You should be", she replied, "I only choose
the best".

     "Oh?", I asked, "Then why are you hiding out here and not
living in a palace?".

     Deva tossed the goblet of wine she was holding to the
ground, "Such insolence!", she fumed.  There was an angry
muttering amongst the bugrom in the room and several took
steps towards me.

     "See Deva!", Jinnai said eagerly, "He's nothing but a
fool! let's get rid of him now!".

     Deva raised her hand, "Not yet", she said, "He might be a
useful hostage... throw him in a cell and let him rot!".

     I was forced back out of the room and escorted to a cell. 
The door slammed behind me and I found myself alone,  sitting
down on the narrow bed I ran through my options, which were
limited;  Firstly I could try to escape, but the problems
associated with breaking out of the heavily fortified base
were beyond me.  Second I could wait for help, but seeing as
Urd wouldn't have any idea where I was, it looked like thin
hope to me.  Urd and I had two weeks until the portal that
would start us on our journey home would open, assuming I
could escape and we could find the thing.

     I was jolted from my thoughts as the door to my cell was
wrenched off.  "Miz?", a voice called urgently.  A familiar
figure peered into the room, it was the fellow from last
night, he seemed sober.

     "No", I replied, "But I hope that won't dissuade you from
helping me".

     He looked me over, "You look familiar", he said, "And you
don't talk like anyone from around here".

     I shrugged, "I introduced myself last night, but you were
a little too bombed", I explained.  Then I head the sound of
footsteps from outside and I picked up the room's only chair,
"Looks like company is arriving", I said, stepping to one side
of the door.

     The man nodded and cracked his knuckles suggestively,
"I'm Masamichi Fujisawa", he said, nodding in greeting.

     I raised my eyebrows, "The same Fujisawa that came from
Earth with Makoto?", I asked.

     He nodded, then the Bugrom reached the cell.  I swung as
hard as I could at the first one, shattering the chair and
putting a big dint in the bug's armour.  Mr Fujisawa picked up
the bug that I'd downed and used it like a battering ram,
forcing his way out of the cell.  I blinked in amazement as he
pushed ten of the large soldiers back with little effort. 
"Come on!", he said over his shoulder, "They've got Miz around
here somewhere!".

     I followed him down the corridor as his charge forced the
bugs back further and further.  We reached the next cell and
Fujisawa casually ripped it from the wall and flung it at the
now retreating bugs, "Cowards!", he shouted, "Come back and
fight like a man!!!".

     The cell was unusually hot and there were braziers
burning brightly in each corner.  "Miz!", Fujisawa called,
racing forward into the stifling room.  Chained against one
wall was a woman, her head was bowed and her clothing
tattered.  "Come on Miz", Fujisawa encouraged, as he broke the
chains, "Wake up!".

     I touched the unconscious woman's forehead, it was bone
dry,  her lips were parched and she moaned quietly.  "She's
dehydrated", Fujisawa guessed, "That's how they kept her from
using her water powers".

     Reaching out I took one of her arms, "Come on", I said to
my rescuer, "I'll carry her, but let's get out of here!".

     Fujisawa was going to argue but I shook my head, "Look",
I said patiently, "You're the only one that can take on those
bugs... I can carry her easily enough".

     He nodded curtly, "Be careful with her", he warned.

     I picked her up gently and stood up, "Let's get her to
some water", I suggested.

     The next minutes were a blur of running and fighting. 
The bugs kept attacking, trying to overwhelm us with numbers. 
Fujisawa was a whirlwind of punches and kicks, driving them
back step by step.  Unfortunately he was also beginning to
tire and suddenly we were on the defensive, backing up slowly. 
I caught my reflection in one of the bug's breastplates and I
saw something that gave me a scare.  The markings above my
eyebrows were glowing a dull red colour.

     "Fujisawa!", I called, as he forced the bugs back a few
meters.

     He turned to face me and I placed Miz in his arms,
"Here", I said, "You take care of her for a minute".

     He looked bewildered and I stepped forward to face off
against a line of Bugrom.  Taking a deep breath I began
reciting a force-bolt spell, trying to put some of the dark
energy I was feeling into it.  I raised my hand as I completed
the spell.  A ball of black energy burst from my hand, it
looked almost like fire, except there was no heat and it
absorbed light rather than made it.  The ball of energy
impacted the first line of Bugrom, incinerating the first few
rows and blowing the rest from their feet.

     I stepped back, bewildered, the force spell was only
suppose to knock them backwards, not incinerate them.  I
looked at my fist, it was outlined by blackfire and I
shuddered looking at the destruction I'd caused.  The
remaining Bugrom wasted no time in clearing a path for us and
I helped a shaky Fujisawa carry Miz out of the Bugrom
stronghold.

                                  ****** 

     Urd idly knocked back her tenth drink for the evening,
grimacing at the flavour.  She glanced at the now empty
bottle, "I'm beginning to hate this stuff", she mumbled.  Urd
looked out at the view from her balcony, it was utterly
lovely, the sunset had turned the clouds a brilliant orange
colour and flocks of birds circled in the distant sky, "and
I'm beginning to hate this place too", she concluded.

     "I've been wondering where you'd gotten to", said Shayla
as she walked into the room.

     Urd gave her a glance, "What, more bad news to report?",
she asked sarcastically.  Shayla stopped a few feet from Urd
and looked at her squarely, "I think you've had enough", she
commented.

     "HA!", Urd barked, "Honey you ain't seem nothing yet!". 
She hurled the bottle from the balcony.  As it reached the top
of it's arc, she aimed her finger at it and shouted a spell-
word.  A bolt of energy obliterated the bottle, sending a
shower of tiny glass shards towards the ground far below.

     Urd blew on her finger, "Yup", she said, "Still got it!".

     Shayla shook her head in disbelief, "What a waste!", she
said.

     Urd gave her a quizzical look, "Oh??", she asked, "Why's
that? there are plenty of wine bottles around....".

     Shayla grabbed the empty cup from Urd's hand, "That's not
what I meant", she said, "But if you've finished... Princess
Rune has some news for you".

     Urd allowed herself to be led through the palace and into
the throne room.  "Ahhh", Londs said, as they walked through
the door, "We have some interesting news".

     "What's up?", Urd asked, looking only marginally
interested.

     Londs nodded to one of the military officers in the room. 
The officer pushed a button on one wall and a map sprang up on
it, detailing the kingdoms of Roshtaria.  "Our spies have
confirmed that the Bugrom forces have moved a large portion of
their troops into the area along their side of the River of
God", he explained, "But the spies also report that no troop
transports have been sighted on the river and the Bugrom don't
seem to be interested in anything on our side of the river".

     Urd shrugged, "So?".

     Londs stood, "It appears that the Bugrom are searching
for something or someone", he said, "Someone that concerns
them enough to have enlisted a huge portion of their army in
the search".

     Urd frowned, "But I thought that you'd tracked the
transport that Brett was abducted from into some mountains",
she said.

     Princess Rune cleared her throat, "That's correct", she
said awkwardly, "But what we didn't tell you was that all we
found were the remains of the craft, it had apparently crashed
on one of the peaks".

     Urd felt a knot of fear in her stomach, "WHAT?!?!?", she
nearly screamed.

     Rune smiled apologetically, "We felt that it would be
better to confirm the contents of the debris", she continued,
"I'm relieved to tell you that we found no sign of Brett in
the wreckage, in fact it appeared that the transport was empty
when it crashed".

     Urd slumped down into some pillows with relief, "Then
Brett might be the one that they're searching for at the River
of God", she said.  Then her eyes hardened and she stood
swiftly, "This time I'm going", she said firmly.

     Rune nodded, "I wouldn't dream of trying to stop you",
she said, "In fact I've detailed a squad of our finest
warriors to accompany you".

     "Don't forget me", Shayla said, cracking her knuckles, "I
wouldn't miss the chance to kick some more Bugrom Butt!".

     Afura, who was leaning against a pillar sighed, "Well I
guess I'd better come along too", she said, "Otherwise there
won't be anyone to keep Shayla out of trouble.  She smiled at
the fiery haired priestess, who promptly stuck her tongue out
at her.  A moment later there was a pondering crash and one of
the walls unexpected burst inward.  An imposing figure stomped
into the room.  Guards raised their rifles and the two
priestesses prepared their battle spells.

     "Urr... Sorry about the wall", came a familiar (if timid)
voice from behind the lumbering figure.

     The guards lowered their rifles as Makoto came stumbling
in through the hole.  The dust settled and the figure was
revealed to be some kind of robot, it's eyes glowed red and
it's armoured body glimmered in the torchlight.

     "Makoto!!", Londs said disapprovingly, "What are you
doing?!?!".

     Makoto scratched the back of his head nervously, "Err",
he said, "I thought that Nemesis-1 here might be able to help
out...".

     The giant robot turned at the sound of it's name, "Orders
commander?", it asked tonelessly.

     "Nothing for now Nemesis-1", he said, "Please shutdown".

     The robot nodded slightly and then it closed down with an
audible hum.  The red light in it's eyes dimmed and went out
and it resumed a pose of attention.

     Shayla was staring at the robot in amazement, "Is that
the one that you found in the palace garden that time?", she
asked.

     Makoto grinned, "Yes", he said, "I finally got him
functional again".

     Urd was looked at the huge figure speculatively, "What
use is he going to be to us?", she asked, "He doesn't look
very impressive".

     "Ahhh", Makoto said knowingly, "He's not much to look at,
but in a fight he's got some awesome firepower".  He walked
over to Nemesis' leg and pushed a button.  The robot's
shoulders opened and a pair of cylindrical objects locked into
place.  "Those are mass drivers", he explained, "they'll
accelerate nut-sized metal balls to about 5000 meters per
second".

     Seeing a few blank looks he shrugged, "Look", he said,
"take it from me, this robot was designed for combat, he
managed to survive the holy wars...".

     Urd nodded, "Anything else we should know about him?",
she asked.

     Makoto rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Well, he's a
learning computer, so gradually he'll become more and more
intelligent and easier to interact with", he explained.

     "Well", Urd said, "If that's everyone, we'd best be on
our way".

                                  ******

     I limped painfully along what Fujisawa had laughingly
called a trail, leaning heavily on my makeshift staff.  It had
been five days since we'd escaped the Bugrom fortress and
things were not looking too bright.  Miz Mishtal (or Mrs
Fujisawa as she preferred to be called) was still delirious
from her drying-out and needed to be helped constantly.

     "God", I heard from behind me, "What I wouldn't give for
a cold beer!".

     I gave Fujisawa a speculative glance, "They gave you
nothing to drink but spirits for nearly a week... and now you
want a beer?", I asked disbelievingly.

     Fujisawa straightened slightly, shifting Miz into a more
comfortable position on his back, "It's not the same thing",
he said with a dignified air.

     I plopped down on an old tree trunk and massaged my
ankle, I'd fallen the wrong way (ie: under a swarm of Bugrom
soldiers) during the last attack and twisted it pretty badly. 
Fujisawa placed Miz down gently and examined my ankle with a
practised eye, "That's a bad sprain alright", he observed.

     I grimaced, "Tell me something I don't know!", I snapped,
"It's not exactly easy to even stand on it, let alone walk!".

     He tested it gently and I hissed in pain, "We'll have to
wait here until the swelling goes down", he said firmly, "If
you continue with that you'll do serious damage".

     I looked around carefully and shook my head, "There's no
water here for Miz", I replied, looking at our unconscious
companion, "Maybe if we go on we could find a stream or
river?".

     Fujisawa shook his head, "The only river of any size
around here is the Holy River of God", he replied, "And the
Bugrom have that pretty much staked out, we'd be seen for
sure".

     I nodded shortly, "Well", I mused, "If you want to go on
ahead with Miz, I could continue at my own pace...".

     Fujisawa gave me a dark look, "You mean leave you here?",
he said rather than asked.

     I shrugged, "I'm slowing you down", I replied bluntly.

     He jerked his finger at his unconscious wife, "She is
too", he said, "But you don't see me dropping her!".

     At that moment there was a chittering from some nearby
undergrowth and at least two dozen Bugrom burst from
concealment.  Fujisawa charged, bowling the first row over and
sending several tumbling into trees.  I hobbled over to Miz
and stood over her protectively, raising my staff.

     The majority of the Bugrom kept Fujisawa busy, while
three others advanced towards me.  I swang the staff
defensively, trying to keep them back.  Unfortunately, using a
staff is not something I'm too familiar with and two of them
managed to pull it from my grasp.  As soon as it hit the
ground the third landed a crushing blow to my chest, knocking
me back from Miz and putting my weight on my sprained ankle.

     I heard and felt a snap in my ankle as I fell.  The next
few moments were a blur of agony and screams (later I worked
out it was me screaming).  The three Bugrom ignored me and
picked moved to pick up Miz, I was about to raise a hand to
try and stop them when a tremendous blast of energy blew the
attacking Bugrom across the clearing.

     "BRETT!!!!", shouted a *very* pissed off Urd.

     I grinned in spite of the pain in my ankle and managed to
turn myself around and look in her direction.  She was
standing on the prow of the priestess' airship, lightning
crackling from her hands and an almost feral glint in her
eyes.

     "You picked the wrong people to kidnap Bug-scum!", Shayla
shouted, jumping into the midst of the Bugrom soldiers, from
the side of the ship.  What followed was a short battle,
consisting of Shayla blowing up Bugrom and Urd blasting one
occasionally with lightning bolts and some kind of huge robot,
blasting left and right.

     I had managed to prop myself up against a tree, biting my
lip against the pain in my ankle when Urd finally reached me. 
I gave her a weak smile, "G'day Urd", I greeted her.

     She helped me ease into a more comfortable position, "Hi
Brett", she said kissing my rather dirty cheek fondly, "Let's
get some of those wounds healed".

     I shook my head, "I look worse than I am", I said, then I
gestured to Miz, "Could you take a look at Miz, without my
powers I couldn't heal her...".

     Urd looked at me worriedly for another moment and I
grinned, "Go on!", I said, "I'll be alright".

     Shayla, who had finished blast the last of the Bugrom
from the clearing, waved to the ship and it began landing. 
She smile at me, "You sure know how to make us feel welcome",
she said.

     I grimaced, "Well it's lucky those other guests left", I
replied, "Otherwise we'd be short on room".

     "Wow", she said looking at me closely, "You're a mess".

     I shifted uncomfortably, "Thank you so much", I said
sarcastically.

     I heard some chanting from the direction that Urd had
gone and I nodded that way, "Miz should be alright soon", I
commented, "Urd will set her right".

     A few moments later the flying ship had landed and Afura,
followed by some guards and a large robot walked across the
clearing.  Shayla grinned, "Come on then", she said grabbing
one of my arms, "Up you get".

     "Hang on", was all I got out before the agony in my ankle
returned.  This time however it was cut off mercifully as
blackness descended on my vision.

                                  ******

     Urd turned sharply at the sounds of Brett's agonised
scream.  She snapped to her feet and ran across to wear Shayla
had placed him back on the ground.  Shayla looked shaken, "I
only tried to help him up", she said defensively.

     "It's his ankle!", Fujisawa called from where he was
being helped along by a pair of guards, "He sprained it
yesterday".

     Urd examined Brett's ankle carefully, whispering a spell. 
"It's not sprained any more", she said, frowned, "It's
apparently broken".

     Shayla recoiled as Urd turned a furious gaze on her,
"What the hell did you do to him!?!?!", Urd demanded.

     "Nothing!", Shayla said, "I just tried to help him to his
feet!".

     Urd muttered a curse and gestured to a trio of guards,
"Pick him up carefully", she said, "And get him aboard the
ship".  The guards carefully followed her instructions,
carrying the wounded young man on board.

     A few minutes later the little ship was headed back
towards the safety of Roshtaria.  Miz and Fujisawa sat huddled
close together on the deck, she had regained consciousness
after Urd's healing spell had taken effect and was fretting
over her husband's wounds.

     Shayla walked quietly across the deck and  sat down
beside Urd, "How is he?", she asked timidly.

     Urd shrugged, "I'm keeping him asleep until we get back
to the palace", she replied, "I'll need some time to build up
enough power to repair the injury so he doesn't lose any
mobility".

     Shayla bit her lip, "I wanted to tell you that I'm
sorry", she said, "I didn't know it would hurt him...".

     Urd shook her head, "It's not really your fault", she
said, "I guess I just jumped to conclusions".

     Shayla looked at Brett's peaceful face, he was resting up
against Urd's shoulder, one of her arms was wrapped around him
protectively.  Then she glanced over at Miz and her new
husband and sighed.

     "Feeling a little lonely?", Urd asked knowingly.

     "WHAT?!", Shayla asked, forcing a laugh, "ME?!?!".

     Urd looked at her steadily and Shayla nodded slightly,
"Just a little bit", she admitted.


                                  ******

     I yawned mightily and rubbed my eyes, then winced at the
bright light.  After a few moments I'd adjusted to the light
and I found myself on a large bed.  There was a weight on the
end of my right leg and I pulled the sheets back to reveal a
cast of some kind, covering my foot and the lower part of my
leg.  Rising to a sitting position I noticed that my wounds
had been healed and I was also in a clean set of clothes.

     Seeing a pair of crutches leaning against the bed, I
edged myself over and managed to stand up.  There was a
grinding noise and a huge figure took a pace towards me, from
where it had been standing against the wall.  "Commander", a
mechanical voice droned, "You are still not operating within
specifications... please do not attempt to leave this set of
apartments".

     I recoiled slightly and sat down on the bed, "What the
hell are you?", I asked it.

     "My designation is Nemesis-1", it replied, "I am a model
4000 combat droid".

     "Alright", I said, "Then could you please tell me what
you're doing in my room?".

     "You have been designated as my commander", Nemesis-1
answered, "My functions are at your disposal".

     I frowned, "Who told you that?", I asked.

     "My former Commander has designated you as her
replacement, my orders are to obey and protect you", it
answered.

     I raised an eyebrow at it, "Your former commander
wouldn't happen to have white hair, a healthy figure and an
unusual interest in interfering?", I asked sarcastically.

     "Oh very funny!", Urd said from the doorway, "That's the
thanks I get for rescuing your sorry carcass!".

     I grinned, "You're a sight for sore eyes", I said.

     Urd walked over and sat beside me on the bed, "How are
you feeling", she said seriously, a worried look in her eye.

     I smiled, "I feel great", I replied.

     "Good", Urd said eyeing me coolly.

     I gave her a puzzled look, "What's wrong?", I asked.

     A moment later I was pulled into an almost violent hug,
"You stupid, stupid man!", she sobbed.

     I gulped a little nervously, this was a side of her that
I hadn't seen, "Hey", I said, returning her hug, "Don't cry,
I'm alright".

     Urd continued to sob for a few minutes and I held her
until she'd finished.  Giving her a kiss on the cheek I
loosened the hug and looked at her in the eyes, "Hey, don't
worry", I said firmly, "It takes a lot to get rid of a guy
like me".

     Urd smiled slightly and wiped her eyes, "I was so
afraid", she said worriedly, "I didn't know if you were alive
or dead.. ".

     I gave her shoulders a squeeze, "I'm sorry I put you
through that...", I began.

     Urd silenced me with a kiss.  I returned the kiss and
hugged her tightly.  There wasn't a knock on the door and Urd
reluctantly separated from me and walked across the room to
the door.

     I nodded to Makoto as he walked into the room, "Glad to
see you're feeling better", Makoto said.

     "Thanks mate", I replied.  He seemed slightly
uncomfortable and I frowned, "I take it that this isn't a
social call?", I asked.

     He shook his head, "No, I'm afraid not", he said, "Her
Majesty is concerned about why the Bugrom chose to kidnap
you".

     I shrugged, "I don't really know", I said honestly, "She
offered me a job in her 'service' - but I turned her down".

     Makoto frowned, "Why?", Makoto asked.

     "Why do you think?!?", I replied indignantly, "I don't
think it would have been a good career move, 'slave' isn't
exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life".

     Makoto shook his head, "No that's not what I mean", he
apologised, "I mean why did she pick you?".

     I glanced at Urd, "How much did you tell them?", I asked
her bluntly.

     Urd shrugged, "Just that I'm a goddess", she said.

     Makoto shuddered slightly at the casual way she said it,
then he looked at me, "Are you a god too?", he asked.

     I shook my head, "No mate", I said softly, "I'm not a
god".

     Urd looked like she wanted to protest, but I gave her a
warning glance, "I have a few powers", I said, "But nothing
like a god".

     Makoto almost breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good",
he said.

     I gave him a quizzical look and Urd looked angry, "What
are you talking about?", I asked.

     "Well", Makoto began sheepishly, "It would completely
destroy my impression of heaven, if everyone there had an
Australian accent".

     I grinned, "Have you ever been to Australia?", I asked
him.  At his blank expression I grinned, "Then you won't know
heaven when you see it", I said.  Makoto chuckled as he walked
out of the room.

                                  ******

     Makoto trudged along slowly as he left Brett and Urd's
rooms.  He wasn't used to lying to people he considered
friends.  Marching quickly to the palace room he nodded to the
two guards and walked inside.

     "Makoto!", Fatora called, "Come here and tell me what you
have found".

     Putting a solemn expression on his face, Makoto sat down
beside the princess, "Brett has said that he is not a god", he
said carefully.

     Fatora frowned, "That's all you found out?", she asked
sharply.

     "What was I suppose to do?", Makoto asked defensively,
"Ask him to detail everything he can do?".

     "Do not speak to me in that tone", Fatora ordered.

     Makoto sighed, "Yes Princess", he replied.

     Fatora stood, "If he's not a god..", she mused, "I might
be able to use him..".

     "If that's all?", Makoto asked.

     Fatora gave him a condescending glance, "For the moment",
she said, "I might have need of you later".

     After Makoto had left, Fatora stepped into her private
waiting room and nodded to her guest, "You heard?", she asked.

     The figure nodded, "Now Princess", he said, "I think we
want this new friend to stay for a while... I want to know
more about him...".

     "Oh!", the figure said, almost as an afterthought, "Do
not harm him".

     Fatora nodded and walked from the room.  The figure stood
and walked to the balcony, jumping up onto the railing. 
"Majesty Gallus", he said, looking up the sky, "You thought of
everything".  With that Prince Najato of the Phantom Tribe
jumped down and disappeared.
     
                                  ******

     I yawned mightily and rubbed my eyes, then winced at the
bright light.  After a few moments I'd adjusted to the light
and I found myself on a large bed.  There was a weight on the
end of my right leg and I pulled the sheets back to reveal a
cast of some kind, covering my foot and the lower part of my
leg.  Rising to a sitting position I noticed that my wounds
had been healed and I was also in a clean set of clothes.

     Seeing a pair of crutches leaning against the bed, I
edged myself over and managed to stand up.  There was a
grinding noise and a huge figure took a pace towards me, from
where it had been standing against the wall.  "Commander", a
mechanical voice droned, "You are still not operating within
specifications... please do not attempt to leave this set of
apartments".

     I recoiled slightly and sat down on the bed, "What the
hell are you?", I asked it.

     "My designation is Nemesis-1", it replied, "I am a model
4000 combat droid".

     "Alright", I said, "Then could you please tell me what
you're doing in my room?".

     "You have been designated as my commander", Nemesis-1
answered, "My functions are at your disposal".

     I frowned, "Who told you that?", I asked.

     "My former Commander has designated you as her
replacement, my orders are to obey and protect you", it
answered.

     I raised an eyebrow at it, "Your former commander
wouldn't happen to have white hair, a healthy figure and an
unusual interest in interfering?", I asked sarcastically.

     "Oh very funny!", Urd said from the doorway, "That's the
thanks I get for rescuing your sorry carcass!".

     I grinned, "You're a sight for sore eyes", I said.

     Urd walked over and sat beside me on the bed, "How are
you feeling", she said seriously, a worried look in her eye.

     I smiled, "I feel great", I replied.

     "Good", Urd said eyeing me coolly.

     I gave her a puzzled look, "What's wrong?", I asked.

     A moment later I was pulled into an almost violent hug,
"You stupid, stupid man!", she sobbed.

     I gulped a little nervously, this was a side of her that
I hadn't seen, "Hey", I said, returning her hug, "Don't cry,
I'm alright".

     Urd continued to sob for a few minutes and I held her
until she'd finished.  Giving her a kiss on the cheek I
loosened the hug and looked at her in the eyes, "Hey, don't
worry", I said firmly, "It takes a lot to get rid of a guy
like me".

     Urd smiled slightly and wiped her eyes, "I was so
afraid", she said worriedly, "I didn't know if you were alive
or dead.. ".

     I gave her shoulders a squeeze, "I'm sorry I put you
through that...", I began.

     Urd silenced me with a kiss.  I returned the kiss and
hugged her tightly.  There wasn't a knock on the door and Urd
reluctantly separated from me and walked across the room to
the door.

     I nodded to Makoto as he walked into the room, "Glad to
see you're feeling better", Makoto said.

     "Thanks mate", I replied.  He seemed slightly
uncomfortable and I frowned, "I take it that this isn't a
social call?", I asked.

     He shook his head, "No, I'm afraid not", he said, "Her
Majesty is concerned about why the Bugrom chose to kidnap
you".

     I shrugged, "I don't really know", I said honestly, "She
offered me a job in her 'service' - but I turned her down".

     Makoto frowned, "Why?", Makoto asked.

     "Why do you think?!?", I replied indignantly, "I don't
think it would have been a good career move, 'slave' isn't
exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life".

     Makoto shook his head, "No that's not what I mean", he
apologised, "I mean why did she pick you?".

     I glanced at Urd, "How much did you tell them?", I asked
her bluntly.

     Urd shrugged, "Just that I'm a goddess", she said.

     Makoto shuddered slightly at the casual way she said it,
then he looked at me, "Are you a god too?", he asked.

     I shook my head, "No mate", I said softly, "I'm not a
god".

     Urd looked like she wanted to protest, but I gave her a
warning glance, "I have a few powers", I said, "But nothing
like a god".

     Makoto almost breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good",
he said.

     I gave him a quizzical look and Urd looked angry, "What
are you talking about?", I asked.

     "Well", Makoto began sheepishly, "It would completely
destroy my impression of heaven, if everyone there had an
Australian accent".

     I grinned, "Have you ever been to Australia?", I asked
him.  At his blank expression I grinned, "Then you won't know
heaven when you see it", I said.  Makoto chuckled as he walked
out of the room.

                                  ******

     Makoto trudged along slowly as he left Brett and Urd's
rooms.  He wasn't used to lying to people he considered
friends.  Marching quickly to the palace room he nodded to the
two guards and walked inside.

     "Makoto!", Fatora called, "Come here and tell me what you
have found".

     Putting a solemn expression on his face, Makoto sat down
beside the princess, "Brett has said that he is not a god", he
said carefully.

     Fatora frowned, "That's all you found out?", she asked
sharply.

     "What was I suppose to do?", Makoto asked defensively,
"Ask him to detail everything he can do?".

     "Do not speak to me in that tone", Fatora ordered.

     Makoto sighed, "Yes Princess", he replied.

     Fatora stood, "If he's not a god..", she mused, "I might
be able to use him..".

     "If that's all?", Makoto asked.

     Fatora gave him a condescending glance, "For the moment",
she said, "I might have need of you later".

     After Makoto had left, Fatora stepped into her private
waiting room and nodded to her guest, "You heard?", she asked.

     The figure nodded, "Now Princess", he said, "I think we
want this new friend to stay for a while... I want to know
more about him...".

     "Oh!", the figure said, almost as an afterthought, "Do
not harm him".

     Fatora nodded and walked from the room.  The figure stood
and walked to the balcony, jumping up onto the railing. 
"Majesty Gallus", he said, looking up the sky, "You thought of
everything".  With that Prince Najato of the Phantom Tribe
jumped down and disappeared.
     
                                  ******

     I sighed in relief as the hot water covered my shoulders. 
Urd had finally gotten around to fixing my ankle and I was
relaxing in a nice hot bath.  The palace must have been set up
on some natural hot springs, because the water had a slightly
sulfurous smell to it.  I lazily swam a length of the pool,
enjoying the floating sensation immensely.  There was a thick
mist in the room, and the late afternoon sunlight gave
everything a 'unreal' look.

     I rested my head on the edge of the pool, just letting
the warmth soak into my bones.  I must have dozed off for a
moment because I didn't notice Urd's entry (to the room, or
the pool).  The first indication I had that I wasn't alone was
Urd's hands massaging my shoulders.

     "What the!?!?", I began, half turning around.

     "Shh!", Urd ordered, her hands digging into back.  I held
my place with an effort and after a few moments began to enjoy
her backrub.  It was only when her hands moved around to my
chest and she rubbed close up against my back that I grabbed
her wrists.

     "What?", Urd protested.

     I shook my head and swam slightly away from her,
releasing her hands.  She looked puzzled and a little hurt. 
"What's wrong?", she asked quietly.

     I ducked under the water, pushing the hair away from my
forehead, revealing the demon's symbol there.  "You should
know what I've become", I explained, tapping my head.

     Urd smiled slightly, "Do you think that changes
anything?", she asked, laughing slightly. 

     "Of course it changes things!", I said sharply, "Not only
am I no longer a god... I'm now a demon!".

     "Brett", Urd said seriously, swimming closer, "It's not
the powers that make you a demon, it's what you do with them". 
She swam over and hugged me tightly, "I love you", she said
firmly, "not your powers".

     I nodded and thought for a moment, suddenly I found
myself pushed under the water forcefully.  I spluttered and
coughed as I rose to the surface, "What was that for?", I
choked out.

     Urd smiled cutely, "Thinking too much", she replied
laughing, and swimming away quickly.  I gave chase and caught
her just as she reached the shallow end of the pool, laughing
I picked her up of the water and threw her back into the deep
end.  She landed with a huge splash and came up looking like a
half-drowned rat, her hair was a mess.

     I laughed at her condition, until I realised that I was
standing naked, half out of the water.  Quickly moving into
deeper water I caught a playful expression on Urd's face,
"Thanks for the show!", she called teasingly.

     Leaning back against the wall of the pool, I noticed Urd
swim up beside me.  I gave her a smile, "Thanks", I said
quietly.

     Urd looked at me slyly, "I should be thanking *you*", she
purred.

     I blushed several different shades of red and shook my
head, "Not *that*!", I replied, "Thanks for setting my
thinking straight".

     Urd grinned again, "Well that's *one* thing I wanted to
get straight between us", she said blandly.

     I blushed again and Urd took pity on me, "Alright", she
said, huffing slightly, "I can see that I'm not going to get
anywhere until you've sorted things out for yourself".

     I looked at her apologetically, "I'm sorry..", I began.

     She shook her head, "It's alright Brett", she said
smiling, "I understand".  Then her eyes narrowed, "But don't
think this lets you off the hook", she warned, standing
suddenly and walking from the pool.

     I think my eyes must have bugged out of my head at the
scene she presented, walking slowly from the room.  She
noticed my look and I heard her laughter tinkling down the
hallway.  After I'd finished my bath I returned to my room for
the night, crawling under the blankets and savouring the feel
of a real bed.  I jumped in surprise when I felt Urd join me,
"What are you doing?", I half-demanded.

     She gave me a long look, "Just because I decided to lay
off for a while", she said, giving me a penetrating gaze,
"Doesn't mean that I'm letting you out of my sight!".

                                  ******

     We had a week left to find the portal that Washu had told
us about and things were not looking promising.  For some
unknown reason, every time we managed to get Makoto into his
lab, and start making progress towards tracking down the
location on the portal, he was suddenly summoned to talk to
Fatora.

     "I'm sorry", Makoto puffed, as he stumbled back into the
room, "The Princess wanted to discuss the funding for my
research".

     I shook my head, "Don't worry", I told him, "it's not
your fault".

     Urd, who had her feet up on the desk in the classic
'bored' position, sat up suddenly, "We're no closer than we
were yesterday", she said, "This is getting us nowhere".

     Makoto nodded and sat down, "Even without the
interruptions, I don't think we'd be much further advanced",
he admitted.

     He glanced at his ruined equipment, "If we could somehow
detect the natural fissures from a distance", he mused, "Brett
could probably spot the weakest point with his unusual sight".

     "That's great!", Urd said sarcastically, "And how are we
suppose to locate something when we don't have any idea how
to?".

     I frowned, "Could you do it by magic?", I asked
curiously.

     Urd thought for a moment, "I don't think so", she
admitted, "Location and tracking spells have never been my
strong point, it's a pity Skuld's not here..".

     I gave her a quizzical look, "I was an administrator for
the Yggridsal System", Urd explained, "Skuld was the person
who tracked down the bugs... I'll give her one thing, her
tracking spells are second to none".

     "Well", I mused, "she actually gave me a tracking device
for my birthday..".

     Urd gave me a curious look and I leant forward, keeping
my voice low, "I *stored* it and brought along", I explained.

     "Stored?", Makoto asked curiously.

     Urd gave him a cool look, "Don't ask", she said
haughtily.

     Makoto held up his hands defensively, "Alright", he said,
"I'll go and see about organising some transport...".  He
stood and quickly moved out of the lab, almost tripping over
some equipment in his haste.

     I gave Urd a puzzled look, "What did you do while I was
gone that's got them so timid around you?", I asked curiously. 
Everyone had seemed really deferential towards her since I'd
gotten back.

     Urd shrugged, "Nothing you wouldn't have done in my
place", she said.

     I gave her a disbelieving look, "Oh never mind!", she
sighed, "Where did you store it?".

     I shrugged, "I dunno", I replied, "I have no idea where
those things are stored".

     Urd sighed, "I guess it's my own fault", she said
resignedly, "I should have explained dimensional/physical
mechanics better to you".

     "You never explained them to me at all!", I protested.

     "Whatever", Urd said, "Just tell me your password and
I'll unlock your pocket dimension".

     "That's what it's called?", I asked, "A pocket
dimension?".

     Urd nodded, "Now what's your password?", she insisted.

     I gave her a blank look, "Password?", I mused, "I don't
think I use one".

     Urd frowned and then clicked her fingers, suddenly there
was a large pop in the air above us and suddenly all the items
I'd stored away over the last 12 months appeared.  The two of
us ducked for cover as the pile hit the ground.  "Great", I
said, looking at the condition of the room, "This is another
fine mess you've gotten us into!".

     "HEY!", Urd protested, "It's your junk!".

     I crawled out from under the table and began sorting
through everything.  I found 10 sets of clothes, 2 different
sets of body armour, three swords, an assortment of computer
equipment, various tools, magazines, spell manuals, novels and
even some assorted snackfood.  Lying on the bottom of the pile
was Skuld's tracker.

     I pulled it out from under the pile and flicked it on,
"What would you like to find?", it asked in Skuld's voice.

     I grinned at Urd, "Looks like we've got a start", I said.

     She was flicking through a magazine that she'd plucked
from the pile, "Interesting", she said, "You like this kinda
stuff huh?".

     I glanced over at the magazine she was holding and
blushed, "It's not mine!", I complained.

     She smiled knowingly, "Sure Brett", she said, then she
turned the magazine to look at the pictures upside down,
"Amazing", she commented, "How do they managed to get her into
those positions....".

     I snatched the book out of her hands and opened the front
cover, then I placed it back into her hands.

     "To Brett", she read, "Happy birthday from Tamiya and
Ootaki... this can start your collection!".

     "*that* was their birthday present for me", I explained.

     "Oh", Urd said, looking a little disappointed.

     I grabbed the magazine from her and gave her my biggest
scowl, to which she just smiled sweetly.  "So what are we
gonna do with all this stuff?", Urd asked, looking at the
rather large pile.

     I picked moved one of the sets of body armour and a sabre
from the pile, "Just send it back where it came from", I
suggested.  Urd nodded and was preparing to send it back when
Makoto walked into the room, accompanied by Nanami.

     "What the hell?", Nanami said, looking at the pile of
odds and ends in the middle of the room.

     Makoto walked over and had a quick look at the
collection, "Where did you hide all that?", he asked, looking
at me closely.

     Urd cleared her throat and then snapped her fingers.  The
pile suddenly rose into the air and disappeared in a flash of
white light, "That answer your question?", she asked.

     Makoto nodded dumbly and Nanami smiled, "That's a neat
trick", she said.

     Urd wobbled slightly on her feet and I looked at her in
concern.  "It's alright", she said, leaning against a table,
"I've just been overdoing it a little".

     "OH!", Makoto said, after having regained the use of his
mouth, "We came to tell you that the Princess Fatora wishes to
discuss a matter of importance with you".

     Urd nodded and began walking towards the door.  "Not
you", Makoto said apologetically, "She said she wanted to talk
to Brett".

     "What?", I asked, "She's never been the least bit
interested in speaking to me".

     Makoto shrugged, "I don't know", he admitted, "She asked
for you specifically".

     I was turning to leave when I felt a hand on my shoulder,
I looked back to see Urd holding up my sabre, "Take the
sword", she suggested blandly.

                                  ******

     Brett fidgeted with the hilt of his sabre as he walked
down to corridor behind a guard.  He'd taken Urd's advice and
had changed into a set of body armour, Urd had wrapped a sky-
blue cloak around his shoulders, saying something about it
being 'more dramatic'.  The guard knocked politely on the door
and it opened a crack, he whispered something that Brett
didn't catch and the door opened all the way.

     "Please come in", a servant said, bowing slightly.

     Princess Fatora was gazing out the window, her eyes
thoughtful.  The servant bowed and left, closing the door
quietly.  "Come over here", Fatora commanded.

     Brett shrugged, and walked over beside her, looking out
the window, it was a spectacular view to say the least, "Very
nice", he observed.

     Fatora let the curtain fall back over the window, "Yes",
she said, "This land of mine is very beautiful".  She walked
over to a mirror, "It reflects the royal family I suppose",
she said suggestively.

     Brett didn't respond and Princess Fatora sat down on a
pile of pillows, "You don't like me much, do you?", she asked,
indicating that he should sit in front of her.

     "Not particularly", Brett responded shortly, sitting down
where she indicated.

     Princess Fatora smiled thinly, "At least you're honest",
she said grudgingly.

     Brett smiled back, "It keeps misunderstandings from
happening if everyone knows where they stand", he replied.

     Fatora was silent for a moment staring at Brett
thoughtfully, "I can't believe she'd choose you over me", she
said quietly.

     Brett gave his head a shake, "Princess", he said
seriously, "Urd's made her decision, I wouldn't try to reverse
it if I were you".

     Fatora shook her head, "Of course not", she said, "She's
made it perfectly clear what would happen if I tried anything
like that".

     "Oh?", Brett asked, looking curious, "What did she say?".

     Fatora blushed slightly and then shuddered, "Never mind",
she replied, "I've got more important things to discuss with
you".

     Brett raised an eyebrow, "Such as?", he asked.

     "This", she said, pulling out a large map from under a
pillow.  Brett leaned forward and examined it carefully, the
map was very old and it had some rather strange writing on it,
"What is it?", he asked.

     "Some of the guards brought this back from the phantom
tribe's caverns", Fatora explained, "Supposedly they were
trying to map their way back to their home dimension, and this
is the result".

     Brett frowned thoughtfully at the map, "Urd should be
able to read this", he said firmly, "We should show it to
her".

     Fatora looked curious, "How should she be able to read
it", she asked.

     "Well", Brett said carefully, "Gods and Goddesses can
read any mortal language".

     "Oh?", Fatora asked, "You know a lot of Gods and
Goddesses then?".

     Brett shrugged, "I've met my fair share", he replied
evasively.

     "Hmmm", Fatora mused, looking Brett up and down
carefully.

     "What?", he asked a little nervously.

     "I'm just wondering what such powerful beings could see
in you", she said.

     "Perhaps it's my charming personality", Brett observed
sarcastically.

     "Perhaps", she allowed, "But perhaps there's another
reason they find you so valuable".

     "Valuable?", Brett echoed, "Me? I don't think so... you
must be mistaken".

     "Yes", Fatora said, "I must be".  There was a moment of
strained silence, until Fatora finally nodded, "You may go",
she said shortly.

     As the door closed behind him the figure of a young boy
stepped out from behind the drapes, "Well, that wasn't much
help", he observed dryly.

     Fatora shrugged, "I did my best", she replied.

     Najato gave her a disdainful look, "Very well", he said,
"I shall look into this myself".  A moment later his form
shimmered and was replaced with an image of Nanami, "I'm sure
that I can be persuasive", he/she purred.

                                  ******

     "Here we go", I said, unrolling the map on a portion of
the desk that Makoto had cleared.

     "What's this?", Makoto asked curiously, as he and Urd
examined the map.

     "According to the Princess", I explained, "Some of the
guards retrieved this from the caves of the Phantom Tribe".

     Makoto frowned, "She never told *me* anything about it",
he grumbled.

     Urd looked at it closely, "From what it says", she
explained, "after the phantom tribe arrived here following the
'holy war', they made several attempts to use the natural
portals to get home".

     I frowned, "So what happened?", I asked.

     Urd pointed to several places on the map, where the
picture was half-done, "Those places seem to be rather
dangerous", she explained, "They lost many warriors trying to
map their way... eventually they gave up".

     Makoto looked at the map with apprehension, "Are you sure
that you two don't want to wait and see if we can get my
portal working?", he asked, "This travelling via the natural
portals seems rather hazardous".

     I looked at Urd and she shrugged, "Can you get it
working?", I asked bluntly.

     Makoto hesitated a moment before answering, "If I can
find the right parts...", he began.

     I shook my head, "I thought that you spent nearly six
months trying to locate the parts you've already used".

     "Yes", Makoto allowed, "But I'm almost sure that I could
find some more..".

     I smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry mate, but I can't bet
the rest of my life on an 'almost sure'".

     Makoto's shoulder's slumped slightly, "You realise how
dangerous this is going to be?", he asked, "There could be
anything waiting for you beyond those portals..".

     I glanced over to Urd, who nodded firmly and I placed a
friendly hand on Makoto's shoulder, "Don't worry about us", I
said, "We'll be fine".

                                  ******

     When Urd and I arrived back at our room, after a long and
boring dinner with the two princesses, I noticed that she
seemed more than a little abstracted.  She began to change
into her nightgown and I coughed a little nervously, "Err,
excuse me?", I asked.

     Urd shook her head, "Sorry", she mumbled, then she
snapped her fingers and the change was instant.

     I grinned a little sheepishly and moved into the other
room, shrugging off my armour and putting the sword on a
table.  I changed into some clean clothing (in the more
conventional way) and returned to the bedroom, only to find
Urd standing out on the balcony, staring into the sky.

     "What's wrong?", I asked her quietly, "You've been
distracted since I showed you that map".

     Urd turned and gave me a winsome smile, "I've just been
thinking", she said, "About what it would be like to remain
here".

     I frowned, "Here?", I echoed.

     Urd nodded and took my arm, "Look at this place", she
said, "It's clean, beautiful, almost like heaven, but without
all the gods..".

     I smiled slightly, "It is quite nice", I replied.

     Urd smiled, "What we're planning to do is very
dangerous", she warned, "Those descriptions on that map were
pretty horrific about the creatures in those other universes".

     I nodded, "What do you want to do?", I asked her
seriously, "Do you want to stay here?".

     She looked uneasy, "I don't know", she admitted, "I
thought I wanted to go home.. but the danger..".

     I smiled, "What?", I asked, "Are you afraid?".

     Urd nodded, "But not for me", she said, "I'm afraid that
I'll lose you".

     "What?", I asked, "Me? no chance".

     Urd shook her head, "There's a bigger chance than you
realise", she warned, "Without your powers, you're a sitting
duck... ".

     I gave her a serious look, "You don't think I should go
with you?", I asked in almost disbelief.

     "NO!", Urd said, grabbing my arm possessively, "I just
don't want you to have been hurt because I wanted to go home
and you didn't".

     I grinned at her, "I want to go home too!", I replied
firmly, "Don't think it's just *your* decision!".

     Urd slugged me in the arm, "Then why didn't you say so?",
she asked.

                                  ******

     "Is this seat taken?", asked a voice from behind me.

     I glanced over my shoulder and noticed the smiling visage
of Nanami, "Not at all", I replied, gesturing for her to sit
down.  I'd been enjoying a nice relax in the gardens, Urd and
I were scheduled to leave this afternoon and I was trying to
soak up the peace and quite.

     She sat down beside me and smiled at my expression, "You
look nice and relaxed", she commented with a grin.

     I smiled and leaned back in the seat slightly, "If I were
any more relaxed, I'd be in a coma", I replied.

     We sat in silence for a few minutes, before Nanami gave
me a curious look, "So how did you meet Urd?', she asked
casually.

     I laughed slightly, "I made a wish", I replied.  At her
confused expression I explained how Gods and Goddesses grant
wishes.

     "So what did you wish for?", she asked curiously.

     I shook my head slightly, "Ahhh.. well", I sighed, "Sorry
Nanami, I can't tell you".

     Nanami raised her eyebrows, "Oh?", she asked slyly, "Was
it *that* personal?".

     "NO!", I replied quickly, blushing slightly, "It was
nothing like that".

     Nanami laughed at my expression, "Sorry", she apologised. 
The two of us sat quietly for a few more minutes before Nanami
stood, "So I guess I should say goodbye to you then", she
said, "I hear you're leaving this afternoon".

     I nodded, "We've still got to find the portal", I
explained, "And then it's still a long trip home".

     Nanami frowned slightly, "And from what I hear it's quite
dangerous too", she commented.

     I sighed, "Don't remind me!", I said, "Urd almost called
the whole thing off because she was worried about protecting
me".

     "Oh?", Nanami asked curiously, "I thought she was an all-
powerful goddess?".

     I laughed slightly, "She does give that impression", I
admitted, "But she's not omnipotent none of the gods or
goddesses I know are that powerful".

     Nanami smiled a little strangely, "That's interesting",
she said, "I'm amazed you know so much about gods and
goddess'".

     "If you'd lived with three goddesses for a more than a
year, you'd know a bit too", I replied.  We talked for a few
more minutes, about nothing much in particular, until it was
time for me to meet Urd back at the throneroom.

     I walked into a throneroom in uproar, there were guards
running back and forth, all armed and the princesses were in
deep conversation with two of their generals.  I edged over to
where Urd was standing, "What's up?", I whispered.

     Urd shrugged, "Oh, the Bugrom just crossed the river of
god again", she replied, "Apparently they've begun attacking
smaller towns along the river". 

     As the news began to pour in from the frontlines Londs
came over to talk to us, "Their Royal Highnesses regret that
they must withdraw their offer of sending troops with you on
your journey", he said apologetically, "But we need every man
to combat the Bugrom".

     "That's alright", Urd said, "I travel better without an
army underfoot anyway".

     The two of us bid farewell to the Princesses and met
Makoto at the door to the throneroom.  "I guess this is
goodbye", he said, holding out a hand.

     I shook his hand warmly, "Thanks for all your help mate,
and who knows?", I grinned at him, "We might see each other
again".

     He shook hands with Urd and we picked up our backpacks,
"Let's go", Urd said, "I want to get moving before the Bugrom
get any closer".  We jumped into the small skiff that Urd had
somehow managed to borrow and she took the helm, steering us
north, to where Skuld's tracking device said there was a
portal.
                                  ******

     "Are you sure that he'll be going in that direction?",
Jinnai asked sceptically, "And he has a way back to earth?".

     Najato nodded, "Yes and yes", he replied bluntly.

     Queen Deva looked at Jinnai curiously, "If you can return
to your earth", she said, "and come back with those weapons
you speak of...".

     "We can rule both worlds!", Jinnai laughed.

                                  ******

     A red eye blinked a few times, before it tried to focus
on it's objective.  It's primary had changed location, leaving
it behind. After a moment it decided to follow, staying near
it's primary was one of it's main rules.

     Tracking the primary was easy enough and after a few
minutes of working out speed and direction it set off. 
Several obstructions stood in it's way, and it quite calmly
walked through them, never slowing.  Tracking down it's
primary, designated as 'Brett'.

                                  ******

     Urd blasted a Bugrom solider with a bolt of blue
lightning and swept her sweat-soaked hair from her eyes.  She
glanced over her shoulder as Brett smoothly knocked out the
Bugrom he was fighting with the hilt of his sword.  She gave
him a sour look, "You're suppose to use the sharp part!", she
called.

     Brett shrugged, "It gets the job done", he replied, "And
it's far less messy".  The two quickly picked up their
discarded packs and resumed their trek up into the mountains. 
It had been three days since they'd left the Palace and they'd
been without transport from the second night.  Some of the
Bugrom had managed to destroy their small skiff.

     "It's this way", Brett said, after examining the tracking
device for a moment.

     "Any idea how far?", Urd asked.

     "About four or five miles as the crow flies", Brett
replied, he looked up at the mountain range they were moving
into, "But with that kind of incline, I'd say it's more like
ten miles".

     Urd sighed and then after a few minutes shivered
slightly, it was getting late in the afternoon and her clothes
were soaked with sweat.  She pulled a cloak from her pack,
wrapping it around herself, "It's getting cold", she
commented, "How about we stop for the night".

     "Let's just get a little more distance between us and the
Bugrom", Brett replied.

     They trudged on for another half hour, before Urd
stumbled into Brett's back and he turned around, "Are you
alright?", he asked in concern, noting the dark circles under
her eyes.

     Urd blinked at him groggily, "I've felt better", she
groaned.

     Setting up camp, Brett noticed how lacklustre Urd
appeared to be and shook his head, "I think you need a
recharge", he said reluctantly.  He reached into his pack and
pulled out several containers that he'd borrowed form Mr
Fujisawa's private collection (while he wasn't looking of
course!).

     Brett tossed them across the fire to Urd, who eyed the
bottles carefully, "What if we're attacked again?", she asked,
"I won't be in any condition...".

     Brett shrugged, "You aren't in any condition now to help
if we get attacked", he said quietly, "And I don't want to see
you get any worse".  Urd cautiously took a sip from the
bottle, "Not bad", she allowed.

     "Well", Urd said, raising the container, "Bottom's up!".

     Brett grinned, "Oh no, please don't do that again", he
laughed.

     Urd gave Brett a dirty look as she lowered the now empty
bottle and took a deep breath, "Don't start that again
please", she said sourly, "You know that I really needed a
recharge that night".

     Brett stretched slightly, "Well I'd say that you brought
a whole new meaning to that expression", he teased.

     "Shush up", Urd slurred slightly, "You know yoursh the
only one *hic* I get drunsh around".  

     Brett gave her an amused look, noting that Fujisawa's
private stock certinally was potent, "Oh?", he asked, "And why
would that be??".

     Urd swayed slightly as she walked around the fire and sat
down against Brett, placing an arm around him, "Becauhse
*hic*", she explained, blinking owlishly.

     Brett shook his head, "Because why?", he asked.

     "You'rsh the only *hic* guy I trust in this *hic*
universe not to take *burp* advantash of me", she finished,
leaning up again him.  Then she noticed Brett's amused
expression and gave him a half-scowl, "OH?", she asked, "can I
*hic* trust you?".

     Brett gave Urd a reassuring pat on the shoulder, "Of
course you can", he said firmly.

     Urd gave him an even bigger scowl, "DAMN!", she said, "I
was *hic* hoping that I was wrong".

                                  ******

     I carefully placed Urd in her sleeping bad, "G'nite Urd",
I said quietly, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

     She mumbled something indecipherable and smiled
unconsciously, before rolling over and beginning to snore
loudly.  I moved back out of the small tent that we'd brought
along and looked up at the unfamiliar heavens.

     "Nice view from up here in the mountains", called a voice
from across the clearing.

     I spun around, drawing my sword, "Oh put that away", the
young boy standing at the edge of the clearing said
scornfully.

     "Hello Najato", I greeted him carefully.

     "You remembered my name!", he said delightedly, "I'm glad
my reputation precedes me".

     With a flick of my wrist I flung my sword across the
clearing, burying it half-way into the tree beside Najato's
head, "It certainly does", I commented, sitting down.

     Najato didn't even flinch as the metal embedded in the
branch and he smiled, "That's a good trick", he said.

     I shrugged, "Not hard with that kind of blade", I
replied, "Now what do you want?".

     "I've come to warn you", Najato said firmly.

     I raised an eyebrow, "Warn me about what?", I asked.

     Najato smiled, "Jinnai will never allow you to reach your
destination and is following you", he said.

     I shrugged, "I'd already worked out that, the dozens of
Bugrom we've been fighting kinda gave it away".

     Najato tapped his nose, "But do you know *why* he's
following you?", he asked.

     I shrugged and Najato continued, "He's planning to go
back to earth in your place", he explained, "And then return
here with some items".

     "Oh?", I asked, already knowing the answer, "What kind of
items?".

     "Weapons from your world, that he thinks will shift the
balance of power in this one", he said.  Then he noticed my
expression, "Am I boring you?", he asked.

     I raised my eyebrows slightly, "Not at all", I replied,
"I'm just wondering what kind of profit you could make from
telling me this".

     Najato sighed slightly, "I want you to help me find a way
home for my people", he said firmly.

     "What?", I asked in disbelief, "You helped kidnap me!".

     "That's correct", Najato sighed, "But that was before I
realised how helpful you might be to me".

     "Oh and that makes everything alright?", I asked
scornfully, "Not bloody likely mate!".

     Najato shook his head, "Where do you think you got that
map from?", he asked, "I organised it for you, from the
expeditions that have gone before".

     I glanced over to the map, which was sticking slightly
out of one of our packs, "Why the change in attitude?", I
asked, looking at him carefully, "I thought you're people
wanted revenge above all else".

     Najato nodded, "That was correct under Gallus", he
admitted, "But *I* decided that there are so few of us left
that we need to work on survival first".

     I raised an eyebrow, "Sounds reasonable", I allowed, "But
I don't even know if we'll make it back to Earth, let alone
find your dimension".

     "I understand that", he allowed, "But I'd like your word
that if you do find our home dimension, you'll tell them about
us and how to get to us".

     Something unusual struck me then, "Why would you trust
me?", I asked, "You know nothing about me!".

     Najato's eyes twinkled slightly and he answered me in
Nanami's voice, "I know more than you think", he said.

                                  ******

     "MMmmmm", Urd moaned in her sleep.

     Brett wafted the smell of cooking bacon and eggs into the
tent for the third time, "Breakfast!", he called again.

     Urd's stomach warred with her mind as to the question of
waking up for a while, before the stomach won and the goddess
opened her eyes.  She stepped out of the tent into bright
sunshine and winced, "Why didn't you wake me earlier?!?!", she
demanded, "It must nearly be noon!".

     Brett shrugged, "You needed the sleep", he said, "And
we've still got a day before the portal opens".

     Urd stumbled over to the campfire and picked up the
breakfast that Brett had prepared for her, "This is a bit
much!", she said, looking at the big plateful.

     "Eat it!", Brett insisted, "We don't know what we're
going to find on the other side of that portal, who knows when
we're going to have time to eat a hot breakfast again?".

     "But what about the Bugrom", Urd asked, around a mouthful
of food.

     Brett smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry", he assured her,
"I'm sure the Bugrom won't bother us this morning".

     They completed their meal at a leisurely pace and Urd
sighed in contentment, "That was great", she said at last, "I
haven't eaten like that since we left home!".

     Brett grinned as he shouldered his pack, "I haven't had a
chance to cook since we left home!", he returned, "I've gotta
keep my hand in!". 

     The two friends walked for several hours, before they
came to a large cave system, Brett took a lantern from his
backpack and Urd lit it with a small spell.  They walked
warily inside and followed the little tracking device through
the maze below the mountaintop.

     After about twenty minutes they located the chamber where
the portal was suppose to appear, Brett walked inside
shielding his eyes.  "This must be the place", he said,
wincing, "It's much brighter than any of Makoto's portals
were".

     Urd nodded, to her the chamber was completely dark,
except for the lantern Brett was carrying.  She took the
lantern from him and investigated the small room, on one wall
was an arch-like structure, with some strange writing on it. 
She examined the wall carefully, but could make heads or tails
of the markings.

     "So here you are!", called a voice from the chamber's
entrance.

     Urd spun around to see Jinnai and a group of Bugrom
blocking the entrance.  She raised her hands and began to
cast, but Brett stepped in front of her, blocking her view.

     "Hello Jinnai", he said, raising his sword, "I've been
expecting you!".

     Jinnai looked confused for a moment, "What?!?!", he
asked.  The Bugrom surrounding him looked equally confused.

     "I was expecting you", Brett said again.

     "Well", Jinnai said, smiling evilly, "Then you're
expecting to lose!".

     Brett shook his head, "Nope", he said firmly, "You're
surrounded and outnumbered, I think you should give up".

     "What?!?", Jinnai laughed, "surrender to the two of
you?!?!".

     Brett grinned, "I think you'd better count again", he
suggested.

     Suddenly, at various places around the room, Phantom
Tribe warriors began to appear.  Najato appeared beside Brett,
"Sorry we're late", he apologised.

     Brett nodded to him, "No problem", he replied, "Would you
mind getting rid of Jinnai and his friends?".

     Najato smiled and raised his hand.  The warriors began
advancing toward the startled Bugrom.  Jinnai's eyes bulged,
"What are you doing?!?!?!", he screamed at Najato, "I thought
we had a deal!??!?!".

     Najato shrugged, "I decided to renegotiate", he replied
blandly.

     "RETREAT!!", Jinnai screamed, turning a fleeing the room. 
The Phantom Tribe Warriors gave pursuit, screaming battlecrys. 
As the sounds faded into the distance Brett smiled at Najato,
"Those illusions of yours were great", he said, "I couldn't
tell the difference".

     Najato shrugged, "Nothing to it", he said, walking from
the room, "Good luck in your journey and remember your
promise".

                                  ******

     I was feeling pretty satisfied as Najato left the room,
until a hand closed on my shoulder.  I turned to look at a
very pissed-off Urd, "Err", I began, "That's right.. I didn't
mention....".

     She spun me around and grabbed my chin, forcing me to
look her in the eye, "Just what were you thinking of!?!?", she
demanded angrily.

     I grinned guiltily, "Sorry Urd", I said holding up my
hands in surrender.

     She controlled herself with a great deal of effort, "Next
time you work out one of these little plans", she said
dangerously, "TELL ME ABOUT IT!".

     I winced at the tone in her voice, she let me go and
turned away angrily, muttering unflattering remarks under her
breath.  I carefully placed my pack on the floor and began to
make us some lunch.  A few minutes later Urd came over and
grabbed a sandwich, "Don't think that by making lunch for me
you're making up for anything!", she said sharply, walking
back across the room and sitting down, facing away from me.

     "The thought never crossed my mind", I lied carefully.

     As evening approached outside, the little chamber began
to cool off quickly.  A chill wind blew through the tunnels
and it whipped at our lose clothing.  Urd sat shivering across
the room from me, her back resolutely turned away.  After
about half an hour of chilling I pulled a sleeping bag out of
my pack and walked over to where Urd was sitting.  Ignoring
her protests I sat down beside her and wrapped it around the
both of us.

     She objected when I placed my arms around her shoulders
and I gave her a stern glance, "It's too cold to be angry with
me!", I told her bluntly, "I'm not freezing over there by
myself when the both of us can keep warm together!".

     After a few moments she sighed and leaned against me,
shivering, I hugged her tightly, "I'm sorry", I said quietly,
"I worked this out last night... I should have told you this
morning.. but I didn't want to have anyone overhear".

     "I understand that", Urd murmured, "I just don't like to
be surprised".  Urd cuddled closer to me and eventually the
chill left her skin.  I was half-drifting off to sleep when
there was a brilliant burst of light in the chamber and an
ear-splitting boom filled the air.

     The two of us untangled ourselves from the sleeping bag
and I quickly stuffed it into a pack.  "Ready?", I asked Urd.

     "As I'll ever be", she replied, holding out her hand to
me.  I took her offered hand and the two of us stepped into
the portal.

                                  ******

              
Author's Note (18/2/97):

     Well.. it's been a long, long time since I released Too
Good To Be True... I hope it was worth the wait - what's above
is the first in a series of stories... Brett and Urd are going
to have quite a few adventures before the return to their own
home.

     Now I'll be the first to admit this idea isn't new (in
fact I wrote the first little bit of this after watching the
first episode of a TV series called "Sliders") - that was
nearly 12 months ago... that was before I had finished TGTBT -
but that's the way I am.. if I don't start on an idea right
away... well.. you get the picture.

     Thanks should go to a few people, chief amongst them is
Jim Nutley, who provided the name and opened up another anime
universe for Urd and Brett to visit.  He's in the process of
writing a sequal to his 'Plague of Skulds' story and to my
delight has asked that I write some scenes for him featuring
Brett.  Currently I've had several people actually ask me if
they could include my character of Brett in their own work! a
real compliment! thank you!

     Anyway, I'd better get this edited and out - otherwise
the people who 'encourage' me (you know who you are!) to write
might start to take their frustrations out on yours truly!

-----Brett

As usual, all comments are welcome....

E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
WWW: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind
