I turn my head and I see him, just for a split second and he's gone. I shudder all over when this happens. A smell like mustard fills my nostrils. It's an hallucination, a seizure, some brain damage from the war. Paranoia; I need to get my medications increased.

When I step onto the subway car, his face is watching me from the window into the next car. I run toward the door and he vanishes; the door is locked when I try and open it to follow. The odor is with me and everyone in the subway seems to be watching me.

What if he can move faster than me? Maybe he's running at speeds my mind can't comprehend, so my eyes only perceive his after image. It's not impossible; after the atomic bomb, time started moving backwards and forwards in unpredictable ways. If he was affected by the blast, he could have been accelerated.

I'm going to end up back in the hospital thinking like this. Dr. Zweig will say it's just my guilt talking. He'll say I'm generating fantasy characters to punish myself for having built that bomb.

I get off the subway at my stop and I see him, shadowed in the staircase leading down to the next platform. I shout for him to stop and race after him, but when I get to the stairs, there's no one. I search the platform, then climb the stairs up to the street.

It can't be that he's trying to kill me. Someone who can move as fast as him could snap my neck or push me off a platform in an instant. He could burn down my house and kill my wife and I'd be powerless. No, he wants something from me. Information? My expertise?

I walk to Central Park and take a seat on a bench by the Balto statue. I don't have to wait long. His grinning face flashes in ten different corners of my visual field. I open my hands and gesture to the bench next to me.

After a few minutes of this back and forth, he's seated next to me, light still strobing around him, and his face flickering in black and white. People pass by without noticing, and I wonder if he's visible only to me.

His voice emerges from his mouth, syncopated and high pitched. "Leland Graysmith," he manages to say, "I am accelerated through time because of the weapon you built."

"I'm so sorry," I murmur, "but what can I do? It's done. I'm not going to make any more bombs."

"You don't understand," the man answers. "I'm not here with you only right now. "I'm following you every single instant of your entire life. I will continue my quest until I can kill you before you built that bomb. Soon you will have memories of our meetings throughout your life, before you're erased completely."

"Why haven't you done it already?" I said, shocked, trying to understand his logic.

"It's a chaotic processs, running through time. I overshoot and end up in the distant past or far future all too frequently."

I shake my head, marveling at the thought, as I remember meeting him again, and again, and again. And then, I'm gone.

You are not dying, not the way you think you are. True, your body is dissolving. You're no longer even opaque to light.

How can you fight it? What could you do? What could I do? There's nothing to fight. The light is spilling out from within you and shining through your skin.

It hurts, I know it hurts. Your chest burns and you can't breathe. Everything is in a panic, a tumult. All that you've spent your life developing and protecting is being washed away.

I wish it could be some other way but it can't. You're not an ordinary person. You're destined for more, for greatness. The people who are comfortable and content are the ones who will be forgotten.

Heroes, redeemers, messiahs: they all die bloody and painful deaths. They are tortured and bleed so the people can be free, can gain knowledge. What you are suffering is no less than them. If I could take this pain from you, bear it on my body instead of yours, I would. But my time has passed.

Be strong. Take heart. Beauty comes from your suffering; every ounce of pain you endure will more lives redeemed, more people freed from fear and death. You inhale the poison of this world and breathe out perfume. Your heart beats medicine, makes new life.

It's so incredible. I keep wiping tears from my eyes. I can't stand to lose up, Xicarus. You've been my son, and I am so proud of you. Everything you are brings me joy. I'm not saying goodbye to you, I'm not.

When you're born again, I'll know. I'll look for you and find you. It's impossible that your life could be hidden from me. Our hearts as one. I'll see you enter this world once more like a shooting star.

It's time! It's time. I'm sorry. I love you, son, I love you and I'm so grateful for all that you are and what you've done for everyone. I'll be with you again before you know it. In the blink of an eye.

Death is the road to awe. You'll see, it's nothing. No fear, no pain. We'll be together soon.

I turned my hand over and over. Light was shining through it. The green of the grass at my feet, the brown of my shoes, and the gray of the rocks nearby, all were clearly visible through my hand. I shuddered looking at it, but wasn't terrified.

I'd been living and working in Anwyn for a few years. Virgo was training me primarily, and I'd spend time each day with Juan, the oracle, learning all I could. I went on missions regularly with Scorpio and Equis, surveying the airways and helping keep the balance.

Returning to my quarters, I found a mirror and surveyed myself. The afternoon sunlight shining through the window illuminated me all the way through. I could see the room as easily as I could my face. The white feathers of my wings barely obscured the cabinets behind me.

Slowly I went back outside and climbed the hill to Juan's house. Was I dying? Transfiguring into some new form of energy? I had no frame of reference, no way to explain this.

Juan opened the door after my first knock and greeted me warmly. His keen eyes appreciated what was happening to me before I could say a word. Leading me to his sitting room, Juan bid me sit and listen.

"Xicarus," he explained softly and calmly, "you have been a son to me. In everything I've taught you, I see it bear fruit in your life. You have been a faithful friend and student, and a great help to Scorpio and Virgo as well."

My heart sunk as he spoke. This was my eulogy. This short life I'd only recently adopted would be over, for no reason I could understand.

"What ... what is happening?" I asked, trembling. "I feel fine, it's just the light passes through me, like I'm made of glass. A ghost."

Juan put his hand on my shoulder, which felt real and solid. "Xicarus, this will be very hard for you. You are dying, but only for a little while. Because you have taken our teachings and made them a part of you, they shine through you so you can bring light to a world still in darkness. Take courage, for only moments after your death, you'll know new life, brighter and better than anything." He hugged me, and I wept.

One day, my son Ampyx finds me on the beach. He tells me that his mother is dying, and that I need to come and see her, one last time. I stand and follow him. The people waiting disperse, perhaps to return the next day.

"Did you forget us?" Ampyx demands as he leads me through the streets of Acis. "You've been on that beach for years, and you've never sent so much as a word to me, my brothers, your wife. Now she's dying and it's too late for anything."

"I've not forgotten, my son," I say slowly. Conversation doesn't come naturally to me anymore. "I have my role in this community, and I am needed. My personal feelings are set aside. As much as I care about you, I want you to lead your life free of influence."

Ampyx doesn't answer, but leads me into a hospital. Nurses and physicians hustle back and forth. My son draws back a curtain and Io is there, at once as beautiful as the day I first saw her and withered into a husk of death.

Without a thought, my flask of Miltha is in my hand and at her lips. The waters of life and resurrection trace a glowing light from her throat and chest, then belly and hips. In moments, she is renewed, shimmering in radiance. Ampyx is crying.

"Sergio," she tells me, her eyes wide, "it's all so beautiful, is this what you see all the time? This is how you see the world? It's like layers and interconnected webs and ..." Io turns her hands over and over, marveling at their contours and veins.

"It is how I see, my love," I tell her. "I want you to join me as I restore and remake this world. Now we are eternal, you and I, and all the realms shall be as one."

Ampyx places his hand on my shoulder. "Father, may I also drink the Miltha and join you?"

Shaking my head sadly, I say, "Ampyx, when your heart is right, you'll come to me and I'll give you this drink. But your heart is full still of resentment and war. You have much to atone for. Go and make things right."

In the mornings I take my human form and walk out onto the beach. The people of Acis come to me with their disputes, and I am seen as a fair arbiter because I care about nothing but the truth. My days pass peacefully.

These situations are solved more simply than they would appear at first. By consenting to my arbitration and coming before me, much of the work of reconciliation is done already. Those advocating for their cause will not turn away without resolution; I listen while they negotiate, and interject only when necessary.

With me, I carry the water of life, the Miltha. It began oozing from my side when I emerged from the water, and I've been collecting it in a flask. When the people drink it, it brings them health, healing, new life.

I think it's the same waters of rebirth from the cauldron. Having died and been reborn so many times, dissolved and reconstituted from the Empyrean, I seem to be a reservoir of these precious fluids. I give them freely, yet only when the time is right.

With each life I touch, peace is established further. Whether through justice, reconciliation, or healing, these are now my followers, those who adhere to my discipline and way of life. No longer am I the wizard, Cancer, or the man, Sergio. I am Oannes, the lawgiver.

The airships hover over us, cleansing the bay and the waters of the poisons we spilled into them. The Fluid Karma is extracted and collected by specially engineered bacteria. Algae proliferates again, signaling that the fish can soon return.

In the evenings I return to the sea, resuming my aquatic form. Swimming out past the Strait of Woes, I meet pods of whales and dolphins. We sing and dance together. I don't need to be their healer or teacher, just be as one of them.

I believe that some day soon, the world of land and sea will be one. I will no longer need to lead or instruct the people, for their hearts will be perfect. They will know the truth and live it.

Cancer

Waves wash over me. I have no eyes. I have no face. I have existed always or I have only just come into existence.

It was like this before they resurrected me. I had found peace, after hundreds of years of life, life after life, endless struggle and pain. They brought me back for one last war. Now I'm here, deep in the ocean in my aquatic form, a crab, my human form transmuted and intermixed with the chitin of my shell.

It's enough like the Empyrean here, resting, letting barnacles grow on my back. At any time I could leave the water. Find my widow, Io, my sons, Byrn, Caenis, and Ampyx. But I'd only be setting the whole wheel in motion again, and that's not what I want.

The other alternative is to end my life, burying myself or asking someone to end it for me. That seems too brutal and painful. This is enough, just to be here, half buried under sand.

I'm not angry with them, Capricorn, Libra, Gemini, or Scorpio. They did what they had to do, what seemed right in the moment. It's just, they don't have to go through it; I do. It's me alone.

All those times we sacrificed, we saved the world, defeated the most evil forces and creatures... what was it for? It feels like nothing. This last war in Cuahalan, the death of Aquarius, Abaddon, just children scuffling on a playground. No one wins, nothing is accomplished.

Pisces is calling to me, from somewhere on land. She wants my help to clean the waterways, fix the blockade Gemini created, and join their reconstruction government. More work, more struggle, more pain. I don't answer.

A week goes by and she finds me, in her fish form. I'm nearly buried in pebbles and sand, and ignore her until she disrupts my pile completely. "You can't stay down here forever," Pisces demands telepathically. "Come back, help us. You might as well."

My answer is harsher than I mean it to be. "I have no part of your world and I have given everything. Beyond everything. No. I will not return and I will not help you."

"Cancer," Pisces pleads, "you're the only one left I can trust. You have to help me. Please. If I've ever meant anything to you."

I'm following her to the surface even before she finishes her sentence.

Juan stood to speak again, describing the need for the blockade of the Strait of Woes to be dismantled once the world's governments have accepted terms and recognized the new leadership of Cuahalan. He asked that magicians and scientists work together to cleanse the Bay and the water of the poisons there, so that the aquatic life could return. Libra suggested that Pisces be enlisted to lead this effort, if she was agreeable, given her connection to the water.

Orlando brought up the crown Pisces wore which prevented her from using her magical and psychic powers, as Juan took his seat. "Isn't it time to release her, if we can't demonstrate she's committed any crimes?"

Raising his hand, Agrippa said that he would agree to that, if there were no objections. He suggested that fair treatment of Pisces and her daughter Vesica would be a sign of Cashel's commitment to reconciliation. They could choose to settle in Acis, near Malachus' prison, or Anwyn.

"What of the Vimanas?" I asked. "Libra and I won't both need one to pilot, if we're together. Juan intends to relinquish his."

Juan nodded. "I'll use it to aid the dismantling of the blockade, but afterwards, Scorpio and I would share one. I don't wish the command of an airship any longer than is necessary."

Scorpio suggested, "Perhaps Juan's pale Vimana and your white Vimana can remain in Cashel, to be commanded by Agrippa and Ampyx when necessary?" The group assented to her suggestion.

Libra stood to offer a closing message. "When we leave, the Beast, Equis, will be traveling with me and Gemini. I want this to be a symbol of what we are doing: no longer will the world be one of one power subjugating another by force, but a cooperative effort, mutual benefit. A symbiosis. I would ask that the Witnesses, Enoch and Elijah, be given expedited hearings and freed if appropriate. They can work with Dantalion to create a new religion, a union of Urthonian and Urizenite faiths which will usher in the new age of peace and mutual toleration."

Smiling, Libra extended her hands to the group, who were smiling in admiration. "This is a changing of the guard. My child could be the leader of the new faith, Communion. We can choose to believe in this, and create a better world together."

We gathered together in the War Room, perhaps for the last time. Present were Juan, Scorpio, Dantalion, Libra, Orlando, Xicarus, Cainen, Byrn, Ampyx, Agrippa, and me, Oberon, the new Gemini. The events of the war were recounted, and everyone was made aware of what needed to happen next.

Juan explained to Cancer's sons how their father had decided to remain in his aquatic form and join the ocean dwelling population. They took the news stoically, asked a few questions, and nodded their understanding. Juan assured them their father could and would contact them when the time was right.

Libra announced our pregnancy to many cheers and congratulations. The jubilation became muted when she explained that we would be leaving Cashel to reside in Anwyn. Her leadership and mine would be sorely missed, but Cashel had many who could take our place.

Agrippa offered his plan for the trials of the war criminals, such as Malachus and his lieutenants. Murmurs of assent came through the room; executions were expected.

"May I offer a word of guidance? If you simply try, execute, and condemn Malachus and the Sanglorians, you will plant the seeds for violence and the next revolution, which will uproot you from power. What is needed is a unity government, one where the community can heal and members of each group can learn to live at peace with one another."

"The guilty must be punished," grunted Ampyx. "They have committed atrocities and their evil must be atoned for."

Dantalion solemnly bowed her head, and then continued. "Those responsible should still stand trial. But many more have lesser degrees of guilt. I would implore you to seek mercy wherever possible, avoid execution. Surely your prisons are strong enough to hold those deserving of sentences."

"I can build an inescapable prison," offered Orlando. "I've built them before, and spent decades in one."

"A humane prison," emphasized Dantalion, looking directly at her ex-husband Orlando. "Not destructive of character, but educational. And if a curriculum needs to be devised to teach proper statecraft and military affairs, a university should be created."

"If we want a better world than the one we've had, we need better teaching, better tools," said Juan.

We thanked the Witnesses for their counsel and left them to their prayers. Libra and I left the detention cells by winding staircase, arriving in the Great Hall. Neither of us knew what to do next; the Winesses had told us much that was unbeilievable, but we believed them wholly.

The Hall bustled with the the movements of scores of elves and humans, but came to a complete halt at once. All voices were silent. I looked around and saw her: Dantalion. She had returned, followed by Gemini.

Libra must have seen them a moment before me, because she sprinted to embrace Gemini in the midst of the crowd. I couldn't take my eyes off Dantalion. As I came closer, I saw that she was beaming at me, positively radiating goodness and hope.

I embraced the small holy woman as waves of relief swept over me. "I was so worried," I murmured. "I was sure they had found you, or that you'd be gone. We've won. The war is over."

She drew back from me and placed her delicate hand on my face. "Oberon, you have done very, very well. I'm proud of you. And in the process, you have reunited me with my son." Dantalion put her hand on Gemini's arm and drew him forward.

"Your ... biological son? I never knew!" I exclaimed. Dantalion had been my spiritual mentor for years. She had visited me in a Sanglorian prison and I became her follower. "Gemini, you are full of surprises," I said to him. He grinned sheepishly.

"Oberon, I'm not Gemini anymore. Please call me Juan. I want you to become the new Gemini of the Guild. Take my place." He spoke calmly, with a new peace about him.

"I would be honored, my friend," I told him. "But does this mean you'll leave us? We have so much to tell you. A new age is dawning, and we need every possible friend with us."

Reassuringly, Juan said, "I will not leave. My role will now be that of an oracle and advisor. I should not battle or lead any longer, but your cause is righteous and I will help you however I can."

Libra spoke into my mind, telling me to come to one of the detention cells deep within the volcano. Using the location she provided, I teleported and was next to her in a moment, standing in front of the cage holding the two Witnesses.

She put her arm on my shoulder and brought me close to the wires. "This is the child's father, Oberon," she explained to the bearded man opposite her. Turning to me, she said, "Oberon, this is Elijah, and he's just told me that our child will be the union of Urizen and Urthona, bringing peace between our peoples." The man smiled at me. His companion knelt next to him in prayer.

I put my hand to my cheek. "How could that be? Our child would hardly be the first elf-human hybrid, even with magical parents," I wondered, taking Elijah's word as true, even though he'd been a sworn enemy of our cause only a few days ago.

Elijah shook his head, as Enoch rose and stood next to him silently. Enoch offered, "The foolishness of men is the wisdom of god. Consider this: the time has come. It is a new Aeon, one of peace and harmony. Libra represents infinite space, and you, Oberon, the superbly contacted singularity."

Libra said to me, "Sometimes he talks in ways that confuse me, but it feels real, it feels right."

Elijah said, "I know this place is your stronghold, but you are both in danger here. Sharp knives that will draw blood are lurking around every corners, cruelty is waiting for you. It's not by our design, but it is something we can see. You would be safest if you return to the Guild stronghold of Anwyn, where your child can be protected and raised."

Libra turned and looked at me directly. "What do you think, beloved? Can we entrust the government to Agrippa and our allies?"

I stepped back, very unsure and overwhelmed. "We should ... discuss this, with Agrippa, Orlando, Scorpio ..."

"Should these men be freed?" Libra suggested. Both Enoch and Elijah had seated themselves and returned to prayer.

"They will be tried by the Court, but if there's no evidence against them, they'll be released. Besides their defense of the government palace, I don't know personally of any atrocities they've committed." I explained.

"They attacked me and they mistreated Equis, but there will need to be a full investigation for them to be cleared," said Libra, sounding more like her old self.

"Who's Equis?" I asked.

"Oh!" She said, looking wild for a moment. "He's the dragon beast that guarded the palace. We've bonded now."

"Of course," I chuckled.