It was early morning, but still dark. Nathan lay awake on his back. The burn on his chest ached, even though Poi had tried everything to treat him and get him back on his feet. She had gone to bed in the early hours of the morning and Nathan now lay awake with only his thoughts. Akarui sat on a table near him, it seemed to light up the air around it, causing a strange fog like aura. It had done that since Yami had been taken. Nathan winced with pain, sitting up to get a better look at it. What on earth is going on with you...? He reached over, taking the beautiful sword in his hand. A warm inviting feeling entered his body. He could feel a strange force moving his other hand closer to the sword, until both hands were holding it firmly. What felt like an electric current pulsed through his body, his heart racing, yet he had never felt so calm.

The pain in his chest stopped, and he could feel the wound healing itself from the inside. After a minute, the sensation ended, Nathan placed the sword back down and examined his chest.

Nothing.

No sign of any damage.

Whatever had just happened, healed his wound completely. Nathan stood up, stretching and tapping the spot where the burn had been, “That’s incredible! What kind of healing ability is this?”

Julian appeared in the room, “Nothing by itself has power. Only what God allows.”

Nathan rolled his eyes, “Oh this again.”

“With Vex gone my full power has returned. I spend so much time fighting her, that we both have little left to assist you with,” Julian said sadly.

“Why are you not co-operating with me in battles? Why do I keep passing out?”

“I help where I can,” Julian said.

“What does that mean?” Nathan asked, becoming frustrated.

Julian sat on the bed next to him, “Our conflict took place inside of your body, and I am afraid to say, your body could not handle it. Occasionally I could suppress her to help out, like when we stepped in to save your friend Teresa.”

Nathan remembered back to when his giant wings had shielded Teresa from Slash's attack, only to have passed out moments after, “So is that why when that happened, I felt I could help, until your conflict started up again?”

“That’s correct. But now that sword is gone we can start to make progress.”

“But why didn't you just tell me that like you are now?” Nathan tried to clear out the remaining questions in his head.

“That would be because once again, the Demon within Yami always was deceitful. For example, the dream you had before. What the hunter really wanted was to take me, and leave you with Yami. However, the sword would have consumed you and you would have been made into a human demon.”

“So… In a way, I guess it was a victory,” Nathan said with a slight smile.

Julian watched him, “The Lord works in mysterious ways young one.”

Nathan looked at him with a confused expression, “Erm, Yeah...”

Julian let out a small laugh and began to fade, “Get some sleep Nathan. Tomorrow is going to be a big day.”

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Poi rushed into the room, “Are you ok? I heard a clatter.”

Nathan showed her that the wound on his chest had gone.

She flicked on a light and examined his chest, seeing if she could find a trace of the wound, “I have never seen such a quick and clean heal... Especially not from Akuma”

“I think things are going to be different from here on out Poi,” Nathan said confidently.

“I think so…” Poi replied, “Do you know that it is snowing in Raventon City on Rogue Island? In all my life I have never heard of such a thing.”

“That’s because apart from on the mountain, it doesn't snow on Rogue Island...” Nathan said, getting to his feet, “We have to get back there. I have a bad feeling about this.”

“I cannot go with you, but I know a pilot who will take you back. Are you sure you don't need to train some more?”

“I have a feeling, Akarui and I are about to excel. I need to help my friends.”

Nathan and Poi got some gear together and headed out the door.

“I hope you are ready for what you find there,” Poi stated seriously.

Nathan looked straight ahead into the jungle, “You and me both Poi, Thank you for all you have done for me. I owe you.”

“Nonsense Nathan Cross. It is my privilege to help the Divine Saint. Now go, you don’t want to miss the boat.”

Nathan gave her a tight hug before they set off for a nearby runway.

After a couple of hours, Nathan found himself on a little four seater Cessna. He gazed out the window, watching the hills roll by. The flight was four hours down the country to catch a boat back to Rogue Island.

He held his bag tightly in between his knees, Akarui was just inside the main pocket.

The pilot looked over at him and spoke in very broken English, “Bag very important?”

Nathan looked over, still day dreaming, “Yeah I guess so. How long until we reach the coast?”

The pilot smiled, pointing out the window. They could see the coastline come into view, through thick morning fog. The plane gently lowered, lining itself to land on a runway near some docks.

“You take boat from here. Meet with Lee,” the pilot said as the plane came to a stop.

“Lee?” Nathan said confused. He got out of the plane, its propeller still whirling. The pilot waved before taxiing back onto the runway to take-off. Nathan gave a slight wave back and walked off towards the docks.

“Nathan?” a surprised voice called from his left.

He turned quickly and saw Jake and a small girl walk quickly towards him.

Nathan jogged over, greeting his friend with a hug, “What happened to you Jake?”

“It's a long story, I will tell you on the boat,” Jake said as he turned to Charlita who had sat on the ground.

“I’m too tired to walk Mr Yaake,” Charlita complained.

“Ok, hop on my back,” Jake crouched down, helping Charlita climb on. “I will explain this too,” he said, noticing Nathan’s confused expression.

They walked to the docks and Nathan asked the first person he met if he knew where Lee was. It was a burly sailor, he stood up, pointing over to a man leaning against some crates. He had a cowboy hat pulled over his eyes and a cigarette hanging from his lips.

Nathan and Jake walked over to Lee, “Ahh, Sir, we were supposed to meet with you here...” Nathan said cautiously.

Lee slowly looked up, a large grin forming on his face. He spoke in a loud voice, “Well come aboard then boys! We are going on boat ride! Yeehaaa!”

Nathan and Jake exchanged bewildered looks before following Lee past some more crates.

Lee had a large deep sea fishing boat, jumping over the edge he landed on the deck with a thud as if he had done it a thousand times.

“I will just get the boat ready then we will go. Make yourselves at home,” he disappeared below deck singing to himself.

Jake and Charlita hopped aboard, Nathan following quickly.

“Let's get outta here,” Jake said with urgency.

“Why is that?” Nathan replied

“We were being followed by some soldiers. I am not sure if they are still following us, but we can’t take that chance.”

Nathan nodded, “Yeah we need to get back to Rogue as soon as possible. It is snowing…”

Jake looked shocked, “Snowing? It doesn’t snow on Rogue Island…”

Lee reappeared, “The rooms are downstairs, make yourselves at home. I was told this is urgent, so let’s get out of this country!?” he looked around to see Nathan and Jake and Charlita looking at him. “You guys are in good hands now,” he said, blowing a plume of smoke from his mouth, “I am the best deliveryman around! The mail must always get through!” He laughed.

Nathan and Jake shot each other confused looks.

“Alright… We will go put our stuff below deck.” Nathan said, ushering Jake and Charlita through a door. “Thanks Lee.”

“No problem, if the weather stays good, we will be at sea for a couple of days. You guys look like you need a rest. I will take it from here.”

Before Nathan could reply, Lee had disappeared into the bridge, and the boats engines roared to life.