Libra opened her hands, and the scales behind her switched their positions. "So I wasn't lying when I said this planet is dying. We tapped the planet's core generations ago to provide ourselves with an endless energy source, converting the minerals at the core into electricity and heat. But now, so much of the ore at the center of the planet has been transferred that the earth's rotation is slowing. It's a reason the birds and fish are dying off, and the sea levels are rising. Humanity won't survive for another 200 years."

Juan nodded. He'd heard some of this, but thought it was paranoia. "What do Giants have to do with this?"

"The simple answer is that they represent an incredible amount of energy. If we sacrifice one Giant, it can preserve life of earth for another thousand years."

"And after that?"

"We'd be back in the same situation."

Juan shook his head. "The spirits of Trevor M and Gogmagog told me some about the Giants history. Why are they so powerful?"

Libra day back in her chair. "Giants are the children and descendants of the gods who made this world, the Elohim. When they were at their peak, they were invincible. They were astrologers of such great knowledge that they knew when everything was going to happen. They build towers and pyramids that challenged the gods, with powers that went beyond their physical gifts. When they went to war, they danced with bells in anklets that caused earthquakes."

"What caused their decline?" Juan asked.

"Their gluttony and fierce tempers. They could never maintain their discipline or spiritual equilibrium. So they fought each other, exposed weaknesses that humans took advantage of to defeat them and claim their power. They resorted to unclean spirits to maintain their strength, which only hastened their decline. Finally, the great deluge came and flooded the earth, talking with it all but a few of their buildings."

Juan cleared his throat. "Don't you see how the Giants tried to buy themselves tone by using the spirits, and you're trying to buy time by using the Giants?"

Libra sighed. "I hadn't seen it that way. What do you suggest?" The scales shifted again, now at equal heights.

"There's no scenario where I give you Bucephalus to murder to preserve the status quo. He has a much more evolved mind than you'd imagine. Why don't we bring him into the conversation and see how he would solve the problem?"

Libra bit her lip. "How do you know I won't just kill you both and do what I want?"

"I'll only bring him to you if you can make assurances of his and my safety in perpetuity."

"I can do that if you're prepared to join the Guild. Be our Gemini."

Juan pinched the bridge of his nose. "That's no guarantee."

Libra conjured an image of a golden cauldron. "I'll give you the Cauldron of Rebirth. You couldn't use it without the energies of the remaining guild members, but we couldn't either."

Juan gasped, "it's real! I never knew. But couldn't you sacrifice a Giant over and over again if you had this?"

"We couldn't - it restores flesh animated by spirit, but if the spirit is sacrificed with the flesh, it couldn't accomplish anything."

Juan leaned forward and shook her hand. "You have a deal." He opened the portal from his Sanctum, and Bucephalus stepped out to join them.