Nerva stood up, gaze never breaking from Sibyls eyes. Hed smiled at her and she grinned back, even though tears had been clouding her eyes. Altair placed a hand on the Wizards shoulder and told him to proceed straight into Wealthows study. Nerva left quickly, Alexander at his heels.

"Oh crap, shes fainted" Altair shook his head as he bent to pick up Wealthow from the ground. "Come on guys, to the study with you."

Signy and Sibyl led Maximilian, Avaris and Lilian into the Sanctuary. Sibyl was still crying.

"It cant behe died, I saw him disappear with my own eyes" she sobbed.

"Yes, well, I couldnt believe it either when I first saw him years ago" Signy said calmly.

"YOU KNEW HE WAS ALIVE!" said Sibyl, outraged.

Signy looked at her. "Of course! I knew he was alive but couldnt tell you because he didnt want us to! What are you shouting for?"

"You knew how I felt for him, Signy, I had EVERY right to know the truth!" Sibyl yelled, pointing dramatically.

"Oh yeah?" Signy spat. "Nerva didnt want us to talk and made us swear. I did not have any intention to break that oath until he wants me to! Quit your crap! Grow up!"

Then the two women became aware that Lilian, Avaris, Maximilian and Altair were watching them in silence. Both Signy and Sibyl blushed crimson. Altair raised his eyebrows at them.

"If you two are going to start a shouting contest I would suggest there by the fountain" the Blacksmith said. "The Church is a place for peace and quiet, if you must know."

Signy and Sibyl were about to protest when a scream erupted from Wealthows study. There was a loud crash as the door opened and Theodoric came bursting out of it, screaming hysterically.

"A GHOST! OH MY GOD, A GHOST! NERVA IS HAUNTING ME! AAARGGH! SOMEBODY EXORCISE THIS PLACE! A GHOST! A GHOST! AAAAAA!" Theodoric shrieked.

Theodoric was running amok that he didnt notice he was running straight into a wall. There was a loud bang as the Knight whammed his head into the solid stone and knocked himself unconscious. Everyone blinked stupidly at Theodorics limp form on the floor. Nerva peeked from the door, looking thoroughly dismayed at this reaction.

"Sorry." Altair shook his head. "I forgot-that he was inside-"

Nerva didnt answer. Altair saw the bleeding puncture wounds on his neck.

"Nervy, youre bleeding!" he said at once. "Come over here-!"

After placing Wealthow onto the couch, Altair pushed Nerva onto a chair and started bustling around to treat the vampire bite. Nerva still didnt have enough energy to Heal himself; the last Warp Portal drained him completely, and it was only pure willpower now that kept him conscious.

"What happened, Nerva?" Signy asked. "Is it true, this attack?"

Avaris jumped up. "ARENT WE ENOUGH PROOF FOR THAT?"

"Hush, and sit down." Signy said curtly, eyeing the young Sage dangerously. Avaris wavered under Signys deadly stare and sat back down limply. "I want to hear this from Geffens doge himself."

Altair settled himself onto Wealthows table and folded his arms across his chest. Every eye was now on Nerva, whose gaze was directed to his sooty gloves.

"Couldnt we leave my brother alone until tomorrow?" said Alex. "He needs rest-hes lost a good amount of blood too!"

"Hes right." Maximilian agreed. "Master Nerva needs rest"

"Come here" somebody spoke.

Nearly everyone jumped up to see Wealthow walking toward the Wizard. She was still pale from shock, but she accepted what she was seeing quickly. She placed her hands on Nervas cheeks. She closed her eyes.

"Heal" Wealthow whispered.

The puncture wounds closed, and the lost blood replaced. Nerva quickly felt the results of the powerful Healing; energy enlivened his insides, waking every single fiber of his body. Wealthow didnt remove her hands afterward, though, and her lilac eyes were looking into his own.

"You have changed," she whispered. "I do not know you anymore"

"Then tell me," said Nerva. "Am I the Nerva alThor who died before your eyes?"

"In some aspects, yes, it is you" Wealthow hesitated. "But somethingsomething elselingers in you, something that is entirely stranger to me, yet I cannot see what it is."

She withdrew her hands and sat silently beside Avaris, who looked at her in awe. Wealthows eyes, however, were still boring into Nervas. The Wizard sighed and shook his head.

"This attack" Nerva began, his voice trembling. "Is all trueGeffen by now is nothing but ruins. I have summoned the Arcane Tower from its ruins to keep the undead swarm inside Geffen. We have to tell Prontera to prepare herself. A war is coming, and our enemy is not unwise. You have seen for yourselves. Those who die of bites and wounds transform.

"The undead army has the power of Nilfheim, and there is no possible way to counter it. I have dared come out of my hiding to tell anyone if I could. We are all in grave danger."

Wealthow spoke. "I believe you, Nerva. Butwhy didnt you make yourself known to us beforehand? Why hide?"

"Because I couldnt bear it." Nerva replied rather sharply. "I didnt want to return to this damned world in the first place. I hate-I hate-"

He couldnt continue. Nerva buried his face into his hands. "You saw what Theodoric did. You fainted. I cant bear that!"

"But Nerva" said Wealthow. "Cant you see? Youve been returned to us because the Lord knows how much youve suffered in your first life. He has returned you for a second chance-to live in the way you were supposed to live in the first place. You cant hate this, because it is your gift from God."

"Were not here to talk about such nonsense!" Nerva said, his voice rising. "We have to warn everybody! Everything-Payon, Alberta and Morroc are all in danger! We have to warn them and do something! My power wont last long back there in Geffen!"

"Why dont we go to the King now?" Lilian suggested. "I mean-weve got no more time to lose and-"

"I agree with my sister!" Altair interjected. "But Nerva, let us do this. You stay here and regain your energy. Youve went through enough this night."

The Blacksmith turned toward them all.

"Wealthow, you coming? Sibyl?" he asked.

Wealthow, Sibyl, Signy, Lilian, Maximilian and Avaris all rose and left the room. Nerva sat back down deeply, his eyes closed. Alexander swallowed nervously.

"Brother" he whispered.

"I dont want to talk." Nerva cut him off. "Leave me alone and go with them."

"Father" Alexander tried again.

"I know hes dead." Nerva cut in once more.

"You know what this meansthe Covenantthe family guild" Alexander pushed on.

Nervas eyes snapped open. "I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE! GET OUT!"

Alexanders lips quivered. He stood up and left the room in a hurry, slamming the door shut behind him. And then there was a knock, and Theodoric entered. The Knight was still ashen-faced and looked fearful, but he sat down infront of Nerva and gave a brave smile.

"Wassup, Nervy?" Theodoric asked. "Glad to seeyoureyoureokay."

A small smile curled on Nervas lips. "Hey, Theoyou arent afraid of me anymore?"

Theodoric smiled broadly this time around.

"Me?" He said, pointing toward himself. "Oh no, man, not anymore. Not anymore."

Nerva guffawed. "All right then. Thats good enough for me."