to My loyal an Faithful you know who yous are...THANKS...
ANd NoW OntO Chapter 21
Chapter 21
"Hey Liz can I talk to you a minute?" Michael asked just as the group was getting ready to head back to class after lunch.
"Yeah sure...hey go on without me Maria, I'll see you in class..." Liz called out and threw Max a wink before walking off with Michael.
His heart was racing, and he knew he had one chance to get this right or they'd both be dead, "Um so I was just..." Suddenly he let his connection open, like tenticles they reached out, latching on to the dormant encoding that linked him to his siblings. ~Listen up sweets, if yous want to get out of dis alive, Iz need yous to follow my lead, got it...~
Liz flinched at the ragged connection, and instantly she realized this was not Michael, but rather his dupe...Rath at her side.
~What do you want?!~ she snapped mentally, but continued to smile and talk in the midst of it.
Rath couldn't help but smirk, she was definately Sardonian, ~Ders a trap being set as we speak, my backstabbing bitch and your pyscho cousin are waiting for me to lead yous to the parking lot, where deys prepared to capture yous.~
Liz was confused by his declaration, either this was a ploy to throw her off or he was seriously an idiot, but their was something different behind his eyes. She'd only spent a few moments with both Rath and Lonnie, but there was always a cold edge to their eyes, almost like they were completely devoid of warmth. Yet now she could feel a small sliver of emotion, rolling through him, he was afraid, she concluded and it was this fear that'd caused him to change tactics.
~Why are you telling me this, what is it your trying to play at here Rath?~ she asked still trying to read his intentions.
Walking carefully through the courtyard, he turned his gaze from her letting his eyes search the sea of students, carefully picking out Lonnie's energy signature. They were close, and he was running out of time. ~Iz need yous to offer me a place to crash and in return Iz will help you take down both the Lonnie and Queen bitch, do wez have a deal...~
It was a bold move, and Liz could tell he was placing all his hopes on her decision, though she wasn't a hundred percent on how trustworthy this dupe was, she also knew she had no other choice but to trust him. She was already sensing not only Lonnie and Tess but Tristan and a handful of skins in the vicinity, there was no time and she would not place innocent lives in danger.
~Fine...but mark my words Rath if this is a setup I swear by the gods you will live to regret this move.~ Her eyes flashed amber and Liz watched satisfied as Rath gulped.
~Yeah Iz get it, Majesty.~
On cue Rath led Liz to the designated spot, and like clockwork Lonnie and Tess jumped out ready for an attack. "Well, well if it aint her royal highness, hows it feel to get yourself caught?" Lonnie taunted and signaled to Tess to start the warp.
With her eyes scrunched in concentration, Tess attempted to warp Liz, but what she wasn't expecting was Liz's mind to be sheilded, and each attempt was met with only failure. Angry and frustrated Tess made one final attempt, pulling on all her power she mentally bombed Liz's mind, this time she managed to dent the sheild and Liz cried out in pain.
"RATH! Grab her and lets go!" Lonnie ordered.
Only hesitating for a second Rath picked up the fallen queen, and backed away from his team of renegade's "Sorry sweets but Iz aint followin your orders anymore..." he snarled and continued to push back.
Lonnie let out a disgusted laugh, "Yous really are an idiot, do yous honestly think yous can just walk outta here without any retaliation, look around you lover..." she waved her hand and 5 skins aswell as a pissed Ciyan stepped forward.
"DROP HER RATH!" Ciyan ground out, his energy spiking with rage.
With a smirk Lonnie closed the distance between herself and Rath, "See Rathie boy yous aint got a shot in hell, so why not be a good lil boy and give us the girl we'll calls it an even trade, her life for yours..."
Unblinking Rath stared his mate down, "Nah sweets, Iz think Iz will take my chances wit de cornballs, plus Iz wouldn't miss de oppurtunity to watch yous fail princess."
"Are yous high..." before she could finish her thought a blast caught her off guard, grazing her shoulder and causing her to cry out in pain as she fell backwards.
"NOW!" a voice commanded.
Maria and Serina set up a perimeter and used their time manipulation skill to block a section of the courtyard, so as not to cause a disruption in public. It was completly surreal inside the circle time progressed normally while their surrounding's froze to a standstill. "Max we don't have much time..." Maria called out.
Within seconds Max, Zan and Michael, had taken out all five skins, their ashes floated remorserly around the royal's, "You were saying?" Max stepped forward, his eyes glowing amber with power.
"Well, well if it aint my big bro, so yous finally grew a pair, how about we dance and see just how powerful the mighty Zan really is?" Ciyan snarled and lept into a defensive pose.
Through the confrontation Tess realized the odds were against them and right now the last thing they needed was for Ciyan to square off against Max, especially with the rest of the Royal's around for support. Grabbing onto Lonnie she ciphered enough power from her to pull up a mindwarp, she then pushed her way into Ciyan's mind and forced him to obey. The stress of maintaining both warps was causing her great physical harm and already blood seeped from her eyes and nose, but with sheer deteremination she was able to get herself and Lonnie and Ciyan outta harms way.
"FUCK!" Michael cursed when the warp dropped and he realized the trio was gone.
With the danger gone the Time Freeze was let down, and the Royal's took the few seconds it took for time to readjust itself to make their escape. They opted to meet back at Michael's, to regroup and interogate Rath.
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"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?" Lonnie roared sending a blast of power searing through the empty space of desert around them.
"It's obvious we were double-crossed by your dumb and obidient mate?" Tess seethed she had Ciyan's head in her lap and was trying to re-enforce the warp she'd placed previously on his mind.
Lonnie paced furiously, curses flowing freely from her lips as her skin crackeled with energy, "Now what do wez do, huhnn queenie, cause we've just lost our one shot at dis shit, der aint no way the Royal's will let Alexia outta der sights now."
"Perhaps, I can be of assitance..."
Two heads whipped around in shock, and what they were confronted with was a sight they hadn't fathomed in a thousand years. The man that stood before them could not possibly be real, yet each step seemed to solidfy his presence. His dark blonde locks fell in liberal waves around his face, giving his already boyish complexion an even more angelic appeal. His eyes were a deep cerulean that seemed to reflect the light with an incandescence that was far too surreal to be human, even the chiseled features of his jawline and muscular build of his body was in it's own perfection intangible. Giving him an ominous aire that lingered over his surroundings, chilling the blood of any misfortunate onlooker.
"Khivarr..." Tess whispered her eyes as wide as saucers.
The smile that floated over his lips, could stop a heart mid-beat with it's malevolent beauty, and the soft timber of his laugh was deceptive in it's richness, because in truth the entity it belonged to, was colder than deepest reaches of space. "Ava my how the mighty have fallen, but do not fret little sister all shall be as it should be soon."
Tess was unable to hide the fear that trembled through her body at his words, they were all doomed now, because if there was one truth that transcended both time and space it was that her brother wrought only death and destruction. If he was standing here before her, then Earth would suffer the same fate as Antar and the 5 planets, Earth was doomed.
In the night screams tore through the peaceful silence only to be tempered with an insidious laugh that whipped around the desert washing away the tranquility that once flourished in its place.
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''Hey how you holdin up?" Serina gently proded as she took a seat next to her sister.
She couldn't help but smile, in the short time they'd been reunited the two had rekindled their bond, almost as if no time had passed between them. "Im alright, I just can't believe I let her get through my barriers, maybe I need more practice..." Liz furrowed her brow in concentration, scanning her powers and replacing the barrier around her mind.
"Liz, yous aint invincible, and though I knows you can kick some serious ass, don't let dis get to ya, alright?"
"Yeah I know, its just how am I supposed to protect all of you if I can't even keep Tess outta of my head." Liz let her head hang dejectedly, feeling the weight of the world pushing down on her shoulders.
It pained Serina to see her like this, memories flashed before her eyes, and the similarities made her shiver, "Come on boo dis aint your responsibility, wez all here for you. Now lets get out der before our lovable yet oh so pigheaded big brother tears Rath apart, before we get any answers outta him."
Liz giggled at her description and with an arm around her sister's shoulder they both walked out together.
"HEY Chica!" Maria squealed before launching herself at an unsuspecting Liz causing all three girls to stumble and fall in a fit of laughter.
"Geez Maria you don't want to knock her out again..." Michael grumbled as helped his two sisters and Maria up off the floor.
"Shut up Spaceboy, I'm still pissed at you." she pulled out of his arms stalking over to where Alex and Isabel were seated together.
Liz threw Serina a questioning look, ~What was that about?~
~Nothin just Michael being an idiot again and almost wrecking Nia's car in the process.~
Liz sighed and shook her head, it seemed she'd have to sit down with her brother soon, and explain to him the inner working of the female mind. "So what's the damage?" she asked while staring up at Michael.
The others were all anxious to get Liz's take on the situation since she was the one who'd spoken to Rath before the fallout, and it seemed he was refusing to speak to anyone but her. A fact that had both Michael and Max up at arms, and doubting Rath's intentions.
Max who'd been busy interogating Rath turned when he felt Liz's presence swirl around him, he let out a breath and smiled at her. Leaving Rath in Zan's capable hands, he made his way over to her. "Hey...how you feeling?" he let his hand graze her soft treces.
Taking his cue Michael stepped back, and soon both Liz and Max were lost in the moment, letting the warmth of their love flow openly between them. It was such a small act, but just the simple pleasure of feeling each other on such an intimate level nourished their souls. "I was so worried about you." his voice gently whispered over to her.
"I'm alright Max, I promise, and after we're done here I think we need some down time just you and me..." her eyes held a different depth to them, that made his pulse race, whatever she had in mind would definately change the course of their relationship. She smiled and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, "Alright lets get down to buisness."
They were growing more in tune with each other, working as a team without much need for direction, each member knew exactly where to be and what their role was within the groups dynamic. They were finally a unit, "So Rath you wanted a place to crash, and you kept up with your part of the deal, so lets have a little chat..," Liz took a seat infront of him, Max and Zan flanking her sides, while Michael stayed behind Rath, Serina Isabel and Tristan took up stations at each corner, leaving both Maria and Ava for back up on the outskirts. Guards were up, and each member let their senses heighten opening themselves up in case of an attack.
Rath was in awe, the general in his essence couldn't help but be impressed, "It seems you cornballs have been training, Iz don't think Lonnie was expecting dis shit, Tessie gave us the impression yous guys were still babes in arms. Theys in for a real surprise..."
"Look this is all fun and shit, but we don't have a whole lot of time, so what's Lonnie up too, cause this shit has her name written all over it." Michael slapped his dupe upside of the head.
"Shit!" Rath cursed and glared up at his dupe.
"Michael stand down..." Max ordered and then kneeled infront of Rath, "...I don't like you, and frankly if it were my decision to make you'd be out of our hair permanently, but fortunately for you, we all have a say in your fate, and majority favored you, but get one thing straight you so much as breath in the wrong way and I will personally take you out, understand?" his eyes flashed black and amber with unrestraint power.
"Yeah Iz got you cheif, no needs to worry Im as harmless as a lil lamb, so whats yous want to know?"
"First off what is Lonnie planning, and why were they after Liz?" Max asked taking his seat once again at Liz's side.
"Well Lonnie has alot balls up in de air, she's workin her own angel though, she's got Tessie and Ciy believin she's in dis shit wit them but on the low she's workin wit your shifter..."
"What, so Langley's working with Lonnie?" Isabel shot back, not really trusting their new informant.
"Nah not Langley's sorry ass, the otha one, yous know Nase-something or otha.."
"Nasedo?" Liz offered and Rath nodded. "Well atleast we know where his backstabbing behind ended up, can't say its much of a surprise considering who he was alligned with originally. Alright so Lonnie's working with Nasedo, but what is exactly is she planning?"
Rath scratched his eyebrow and gathered his thoughts, not really sure if he should reveal all his cards up front, making a judgement call he decide there was no use in keeping secrets, either way he wasn't going to make it out of this war alive, but atleast he'd get the satisfaction of bringing Lonnie down with him. "Lonnie needs to get rid of the real queen, before she bonds with her true mate and reaches her full potential. Once Max pops Liz's cherry she'll be one hella off a bitch, and Lonnie can't let that happen, so the plan was to hand sweets over to the shifter, who would get his rocks off and in the process have a bonafide oracle at his disposure."
Both Max and Zan were about to pounce at Rath's lack of respect, but Liz eased them back, rubbing a hand lightly over their backs, "So I guess I'm the prize, how does Khivarr fit in all this?" she asked trying to divert the conversation back to the matter at hand.
"That's the real question now, see Lonnie's real mission was to secure your safety and hold you til the big man gets here, which by the way should be any day now."
There was a collective gasp that could be heard circling the room, though they knew the battle would be fought on Earth, they figured it wouldn't be for a good while. Another sick twist of fate, that now fell on their shoulders, and once the shock wore out, only anger remained, anger that their innocence was now a long gone memory.
Michael led Rath into the empty utility closet, and after he pushed him in, sealed the door shut posting Tristan at the door as a security measure. The others had reconvined in the living room, each trying to figure what the next plan of attack should be.
"I think we should bail, everyone knows were here, and dis town aint safe no more." Serina spoke up first, she'd been going over the information Rath had given them and it seemed laying low in Rozy New Mexico was not the smartest of deals.
That suggestion did not bode well with the Parkers, Evans, and De Luca's, "What about our parents, what's to stop Lonnie or Khivarr or whatever other pyschotic alien asassins are after us..." Alex said outraged with the suggestion, his arms protectively locked around Isabel.
"Looks Im with sweets over der, dis shit is serious and wit Khivarr involved, wez sittin ducks out here, what happens when all hell breaks loose and your fam gets in da crossfire?" Zan joined Ava over by the counter, his knuckles drumming on the linolium.
Through their connection Max could feel Liz's fear and guilt over the situation at hand, "ENOUGH!" He yelled and in an instant the room fell silent, though he hadn't been lying when he told Rath they each had a say in matters, right now his word was law. "I'm sorry but there is no other choice but to go, we can't put our families in that kind off danger, and I doubt either Khivarr or Lonnie will care with 'insignificant' humans once were gone..." Max turned a regretful eye to his companions, he felt the loss just as much as they did, "I know this isn't what you guys want, I don't want to leave either, but what choice do we have?"
"We could tell them...our parents we could tell them the truth..."Liz suggested.
"No...NO Im sorry Liz but we can't risk it."
"Max that's not just your decision to make I say we vote..." this time Isabel was the one to speak up.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Max let out a sigh, though he knew telling the parents was not the best option, right now he couldn't afford a rift in the group, he just prayed enough voted no. "Fine we vote...I vote No we dont tell the parents."
"I vote No." Michael cast the second vote.
"Yes..." Liz was next, followed by Alex who also voted yes.
"Look Iz wit Maxie boy, tellin them will only put dem in danger, so I vote No." Zan walked up to Max's side, standing with arms crossed a mirror image to his dupe.
"I votes No, sorry sis but we'z can't risk it..." Serina bowed her head, not able to meet her sister's eyes.
Both Isabel and Maria cast their votes simultaneously voting "Yes"
The last two votes were held by Tristan and Ava, the two members on the team that really weren't sure either way, they had no personal stake in the matter, and really couldn't find the need to tell the parents of great importance. In the end they followed their king, and though it was met with alot of angry glares, the Royal's decided to make a clean break, using Ava's mindwarp to assure their parents would ask no questions.
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With only one night to say their goodbyes the group split up, Serina taking off with Liz and Alex over to the Parkers, while Tristan joined Maria and Michael over at the De'Luca's and finally leaving both Zan and Ava to stay with the Evan's. Zan was to play the part of Max and Isabel's long lost brother, while Ava easily transformed into Tess.
Each group though attempting to be their normal well adjusted selves, were failing miserably as a somber cloub fell over Roswell. Unable to keep up appearances Liz excused herself claiming she wasn't feeling well, and with Serina in tow they both made their way over to the Liz's balcony. In silent aggreement the sisters let themselve get lost in the moment, trying to hold onto the stillness of the desert at dusk.
"Liz...Liz!" Max's voice drifted up from the alley.
Serina made a quick departure, knowing this was definately not the kind off situation she wanted to stick around for, especially not when Liz let loose on Max, which would definately not be pretty.
"Liz are you up there?" Max's voice called out again.
Once she was sure Serina was gone, Liz signaled for Max to come up, but would still not look in his direction, she knew it wasn't fair to blame him, but it just hurt that he stick with her on this decision.
Max knew this was going to be difficult, Liz had shut him out of the connection hours ago, and he could tell by the coldness in her glare she was far from over it. "Liz I know your angry with me right now, but I only did what I thought was best, and the others agreed..."
"Why yes your majesty, your lackies agreed with his highness edict." she immediately regretted her crude comeback, knowing Max still had doubts at being the leader, she automatically went for the heart on purpose, but she stayed silent nontheless.
"You know what fine Liz you want act like a toddler and throw a fit, go ahead! I will not feel guilty for making the right decision for all of us!" Max shot back, he'd lost his patience, and was sick of her attitude.
"You have no RIGHT to decide whether or not I TELL MY FAMILY!" Liz exploded. She wasn't only aggrivated with the fact that telling the parents was a group decision, this anger stemed from her recent lack of control in any part of her life. To Liz it seemed she was just a puppet watching as different people pulled the strings of her life, causing her to jump and dance at their leisure.
"My Right, MY RIGHT! YOUR MY FAMILY...Isabel, Alex, Michael, Maria, and the rest of the Unit, THEY ARE YOUR FAMILY...And right now we are at WAR LIZ...DAMN IT!" Max began to pace the small space on her balcony, anger roaring through him, intensifying when he took notice of her still defiant and resentful gaze. "DO YOU EVEN CARE...This is not just you and Alex anymore, we are a unit, a family, and though I hate it I'm responsible for all of you, and I would rather have you guys angry with me, then have any of us get hurt or die because I didn't want to upset you." Tired and dejected, Max just fell back into the lawn chair with a sigh, his eyes closed.
They were at an impass, and Liz knew it, she could continue to remain angry and probably cause a rift to form between her and Max, and inturn the group. Or she could swallow her pride and admit to herself that Max had actually made the right decision, and she was just redirecting her pent up aggression and blaming him for something he had no control over. She slowly crept over to him, her decision made, she let down her walls and opened herself to him, letting go of her resentment she sat next to him.
"I'm sorry..." but that was as far as she got, before Max had pulled her into his arms. It was that instant that she finally let go, not caring what happened any longer, just as long as she had him by her side.
She didn't have to apologize, just the simple act of her opening up to him, was enough, "Don't Liz...don't apologize not to me, I know how hard all this has been for you, so don't apologize, because there is nothing to forgive..." Letting his hands stroke her hair soothingly, Max let himself soak in her warmth, and let himself relax for the first time in days.
Everything was changing, they couldn't pretend any longer, no matter how much they wanted to be normal human teenagers, the truth was they would never be normal, and now they were leaving behind the last piece of innocence they had left...their home. Liz didn't care about being a queen or an oracle, and she certainly didn't want to go to some far away galaxy to a home she couldn't really remember. Afraid of getting lost in the doubts and fears that raged inside her, she clung tighter to Max's body, willing time to freeze. Praying that just for tonight, she could find a moments peace in the arms of the only man she'd ever love.
Max could feel her turmoil as it rolled over him, looking down his heart ached for her, Liz's eyes were shut tight, and small lines furrowed on her brow as she fought back the tears that threatened to fall. Their were no words, he didn't need them with her, she knew his heart and soul and he knew hers. Lifting her up into his arms he gently carried her through the open window that led to her bedroom, he laid her on the bed never losing her gaze.
In silent communication Liz relayed her consent to him, and scooted over giving Max room to lay at her side. This moment wasn't about need or biological encoding, this moment was about them, two hearts searching for the courage and comfort in their mates matching point. She let her hands roam over his chest lightly, and when she reached the hem of his shirt, it only took one tug and it was gone, leaving him bare to her ministrations. "So beautiful..." she whispered and let her hands dance over each dip and peak.
Locked within the depths of her eyes, Max felt his body stir to action, without hesitation he pulled her to him, letting the deliciously sweet fragrance of strawberries and jasmine wrap around him. That was her scent, so completely perfect he'd never tire of it, she would never truly understand the depths of his desire for her, because it could never be matched. It left him terrified at times, she was his greatest strength but at the same time his deadliest weakness as well, all anyone had to do was mention her name and he'd cave like coward. Even now as he prepared to share himself completly with her, he doubted his worth in comparisson, but regardless he'd treasure every second with her.
Pushing away the silky material of her top, his pulse quickened when he drank in the sight of her bare breasts, her breath was coming out in small pants and the flush that painted her cheeks only added to her beauty. "Words can't even describe, how perfect you are...I love you Liz..."
A shiver raced down her spine, when she felt his words whisper around her, and before she could respond back, his lips were upon her, devouring her mouth with hungry passion, which she returned greedily.
Within minutes they were both lost in a haze of heat and craving, thier clothes had long since been discarded and both fell into worshipping every new spance of skin, that lay revealed for the first time to the young lovers.
"I need...you Max..." Liz cried out when she felt his fingers dipp inside the creamy warmth of her core, an instinct older than time took over and she rocked her hips meeting him thrust for thrust.
The smell of her arousal and the moans that escaped her parted lips, were slowly driving him mad, and he bit down hard on his bottom lip to halt his own release from spilling over the small hand that was now stroking him with firm confidence. "Please Liz...you need to...stop...ARGH!!" he growled when she squeezed his tip before conitnuing to pump him faster. Grabbing her hand he stilled her movements and swallowed a gulp of air trying to calm himself down, "...I won't last...much longer if...you keep that up..." he gave her a half smile, and bent down to take her lips once more.
Each touch left her breathless, he was playing her like skilled musician, plucking each chord to perfection and leaving her trembling in euphoric desire, "Max Please...Oh God..." she threw her head back in ecstasy as his lips tasted her sex for the first time, she was so worked up that it only took a swipe of his tongue to send her flying over the edge.
In awe he watched as a golden light engulfed her, leaving her skin glowing with raw power, and when she pulled him up and fused her lips to his, Max felt every emotion and feeling that raced through her. Knowing he wouldn't be able to last much longer, he nudged her legs apart and without a second thought pushed into her, tearing through the last piece of her innocence and binding them eternally to each other. "AWWW!" both cried out in a mix of pleasure and pain.
Pausing he let her adjust to his girth, gently he kissed away the stray tear that streaked her cheek, and when he felt her stir below him, he began to slowly pump in and out of her. She was perfect, fitting him like a glove, he picked up his pace pulling nearly completly out before slamming down again and again. Her cries were growing louder with every thrust, not wanting to alarm her parents Max fused his mouth to hers, effectively swallowing her moans and his own at the same time.
The rythmn between them was building into a magnificent crescendo, as sweat slicked bodies drove into each other, desperate for release, each grunt and cry reaching for a connection that seemed unimaginable. When their orgasmn hit, their bodies pulsated with a golden heat that drenched the room in liquid fire, both Max and Liz were riding out a wave of power and pleasure that nearly knocked them out cold. Their souls were knitting together forming a single tapestry of love that would extend through death to assure their unity in the next life. They were eternal, one could not survive without the other, and each new life only solidified this truth.
Unable to move or speak, the young king basked in the warmth of his queen's love, finding his home within the safety of her arms. Together atlast both fell into a quiet slumber, unwilling to relinquish this peace to times steely cold grip. They remained connected even in sleep, and dreams of happier times, filled with friends and family and two dark haired toddlers with amber eyes that smiled up at them, mischieve glinting in their eyes, and a promise of what was yet to come in their hearts.
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"Are we ready?" Max questioned the somber crew before him, and when they each nodded in recognition he turned to Liz, "Are you ready?" he quietly asked.
Her eyes were already misted with unshed tears, when she'd awoken a couple of hours ago, she been ecstatic feeling complete for the first time in her life. But when Max called the others together and explained their departure, it was like the rug was pulled out from underneath her. Liz could not even make it through an embrace with her mother, without falling apart, luckily Ava was their and she quickly wiped away the memory from both Nancy and Jeff Parker.
As far as the Parker's knew their children were both taking part in a study abroad program in Sweden, along with the Evan's and Amy De Luca, whose childern were also chosen for the distinguished honor of representing the US in a foreign country.
"Yes..." Liz's voice squeeked out, and soon the teens were packed up and heading out of Roswell, New Mexico, a new chapter in their lives just beginning as their childhood closed behind them. Heavy were the hearts of the Royal's, knowing that the weight of two worlds now rested firmly on their inexperienced shoulders, may the gods keep them in their good graces, and help the young find the strength to see this task through til the end...
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