Juan clapped his hand on his father's shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Dad." Juan said. Tears came to Orlando's eyes, and Juan hugged him.

Juan explained, "I have bad news. We have to flee. Aquarius has gone insane. Aries, Taurus and Pisces, are planning to kill us all."

"That's awful, son," Orlando said, his voice clearing. "How can I help?"

They saw Xicarus fly past the window carrying Scorpio. They entered through the front door, and the Pillars barred the entrance behind them.

Libra explained the true nature of Malachus' relationship with the guild, how Aquarius and Aries directed the genocide in Cuahalan. "We need to fight the Quadraverate and destroy their capacity to direct the army in Cuahalan," said Scorpio.

Virgo spoke up. "The safety of this group is more important than our offense."

"I must tell you all," Bucephalus said, putting an arm around Atla, "that my lady is with child. I agree that protection is the most important task."

"Can you put the group in your pocket dimension, Gemini?" Libra asked Juan.

Juan looked at the floor. "If I'm fighting, I could be killed. If I'm killed, the dimension is locked forever: no one can ever get them out."

Orlando said, "we have tunnels and mines beneath the house. It's how we've accomplished the work at the earth's core. The non-combatants can take refuge there."

"How did you build them so quickly?" Sagittarius asked.

"They were always there," said Orlando. "Bucephalus was able to dig an access tunnel in an hour. Once we're in them, we can utilize ultra fast travel between continents, and cross through Xibalba to Cuahalan."

"That's perfect," Capricorn said, "it'll give us a chance to burn the castle to the ground while our people are safe. How did you get access to them, Orlando?"

Orlando beamed at Juan, and said, "that's why I betrayed Golgonozza to the Faceless: they gave me access to the tunnels. I was going to find my son, but my arrest came too quickly."

Juan nodded. "I never knew. I thought you just didn't care."

"You're the only thing I care about, Juan," said Orlando.

Virgo gathered the non-combatants: Atla, Xicarus, and Orlando. The Pillars joined the group to guard the mine's entrance. Bucephalus kissed Atla gently and said, "if I should fall, raise our child to know me."

Atla cried as she descended into the mine.

Immediately after the portal to the mines was sealed, the house was rocked by an explosion, shattering the windows. The entryway was demolished, and the group looked out through the gaping hole at soldiers massed on the hillside. Amid the legions stood giant pulsating energy forms of a ram and a bull, Aries and Taurus. They heard the voice of Aquarius as loud as an earthquake: "you are rebels and you will submit to the Guild. Or you shall be utterly annihilated!"

Juan turned to Bucephalus. "I think you should have gone with Virgo, pal. We might not make it."

Bucephalus laughed as catapaults began launching flaming debris at them. Libra extended her shields, as the Giant said, "I am not as vulnerable as you think, my friend. Perhaps we can work together to utilize your hellfire."

"That's hard for me," Juan answered. "Whenever I use it, I'm basically useless until I can be healed or restored."

"Let me help," said Libra. "That's one of my hidden gifts: I balance energies so that you can use forces like hellfire without destroying yourself."

"Let me try something," said Bucephalus. Libra and Juan watched as he changed form first into his blue energy sphere. Then he enlarged his form and surrounded Libra and Juan, incorporating them into him.

Soon they stood, three in one, a twenty foot red juggernaut blazing with black fire. With a voice like a thousand thunders, the three called out: "I am a boar, ruthless and red. I am the smoke that pours from your head. Fight all you want, you shall soon fall!"