This had been the first time he saw his mother, other than in her wolf form. He was quite shocked.

"Hello...mother." He said hesitantly, this was a new concept for him.

Anita's sad smile became wet with tears as they slid down her face. She walked up to her son, and hugged him. THis had been the first time she touched him since he was born.

-

After the birth, Anita and Elric decided that Elric should raise the child. Anita did not trust that Crispin would be happy with Anita bringing in a halfling into the coven. She thought he would kill Nathaniel on the spot. She told Elric about how she had to leave and return to her coven and her family. It was for the best.

Elric, overwhelmed by Anita's decision to leave, took Nathaniel to the Silver Knights of St. Michael. At first, the Knights were shocked by the abomination that Elric had brought into the order. Yet Elric was the Commander, and had the final say in everything. Eventually everyone accepted Nathaniel. However, Elric chose to raise Nathaniel as a human, not a werewolf hybrid. Nathaniel knew what he was, yet he didnt know why his father had mated with his mother if werewolves were to be killed. Elric never explained this to Nathaniel.

Elric knew that Anita was one of the few werewolves that had humanity left in her. He did not want to risk Nathaniel growing up and thinking that all werewoles had compassion. Then he might be tricked and killed by them. Elric didn't like it, but he knew it had to be done to make sure Nathaniel didnt get himself killed by thinking he should be merciful on a werewolf, and be decieved by it.

Eventually, Nathaniel learned to control his Lycanthropy. Elric fell in love with Sophia del Carmen, married her, and had another son...Daniel. Nathaniel lived with them until he joined the Knights.

-

Nathaniel looked down at his mother, and slowly put his arms around her and hugged her back. This was somewhat difficult for Nathaniel. He did love his unknown mother on some level, yet he was a little disappointed at how she never communicated with him.

He eased her off and looked in her teary eyes.

"Why mother?" He asked, she knew what he meant.

"How could I Nathaniel? After how your father raised you, after you lived with slayers... How did I know you wouldn't try to kill me on the spot?" She replied

"You could have tried! I thought you were just another malicious lycan, angered by the fact that you have a halfling son and you discarded me."

"Of course not! But after Elric disappeared I knew you would kill me on sight because of how angry you were at the world."

Fort looked at Anita intently.

"How did you know he disappeared?" He asked

"Well, besides the fact that i've been keeping tabs on you for years.........I was on the mission that went into Lord Zizzoroth's castle."

Fort took a step back, shocked.

"What? How did yo- When could yo-"

"I found out that he was going one of the times I went to go see you at Elric and Sophia's house. I met up with him in Norway. The elite slayers allowed me on the team after Elric told them that I was the werewolf who was Nathaniel's mother. As you no doubt heard however...none of us was able to save him..."

"He's not dead! He's still out there! They haven't found his body yet! There's still the mirror, he's in there! I know it! Dad would never let Zizzoroth get the best of him!" Fort yelled as tears erupted from his eyes. Anita sped forward and took him in her arms again. Fort cried into her shoulder.

"It's alright my son..." She said to him comfortingly. Fort hugged his mother back and looked at the stars. He would find his father, him and Daniel would do it together. He would find his father if it took him to the goddamn ends of the Earth to do so......

Striker ran bursting into the throne room, panting a bit too.

"Milord, Ashryn is on his way back. He says he has the woman, but is being pursued as we speak."

"Damn, he usually makes a clean getaway. See to it he makes it home. Take out whoever is following him."

"Yes, milord."

And Striker was off to fight whoever was following his vampire comrade.

Clara and Paul followed the others at a distant pace. Nick and Loxley led the new wolf to their home and Clara started to get the feeling that Paul might be right.

Clara took Paul’s hand, initially he stiffened at her touch then relaxed. “I think we should get away from the others.” Clara said starting to feel uncomfortable.

-

Daphne stopped when she came to a shop window that displayed various photos by a professional photographer. There were beautiful photos of sunsets over water, forest floors lit with a few bright beams of sunlight and then there were the family portraits. Daphne touched the window and was reminded of the death of her own mother. Like her brothers, Daphne’s mother had been killed by slayers. Her father was hunting down the one who had done it. He’d been gone for over a year. Daphne knew he was still alive as he rang her every few days.

Daphne sighed, she was so alone now. The oncoming Luna Eclipse was making her feel even more lonely. She looked at Nathaniel with his mother and grandfather. He should be thankful to have family even if he didn’t really know them. She knew she must have been staring at them like a sad puppy but she couldn’t help it.

Crispin meerly stood and watched the scene unfold. It was really too much for him to go an hug Fort...they all understood.

Fort released his mother and wiped his tears. He brushed himself off and took a deep breath.

"Alright...Dad is.... for another day. Now...we have the situation with the weird deaths of vampires and lycans all over the place." Fort said to Crispin and Anita

"Yes, i've been meaning to address that with you. Have you discovered anything worthwhile? I heard you came here to investigate it..." Crispin said

"Yea I did find out alot. Daphne should hear this though." Fort called out to Daphne who was looked at them with a strange look on her face.

"Alright well I analized the body of Tiffany and ran various tests on it. I sent the results to HQ and they told me its a... Balor Lord."

Crispin's head sank into his hands. Anita eyes grew wide and her hand covered her mouth. Daphne looked at the faces of the three, yet didnt completely understand.

"Soooo im guessing this is really bad?" She said to Fort. He simply nodded at her. Crispin spoke from within his hands.

"And I suppose you, as a slayer, know how to kill it Nathaniel?"

"Yes. Complete decapitation." Fort replied.

"That sounds simple enough." Daphne said

"No, it isn't. First of all, you need to get past the Balor Lord immense size and fine tuned reflexes. For its size it has great speed, which is one of the things that separates it from a regular Balor. Then, the Balor Lord can also cast a number of spells. Some of which include fireballs-" Fort said befor ehe was cut off

"Wait, spells? As in magic?" Daphne asked skeptically

"Yes....magic. Anyways, some of which include fireballs, flamethrower, and invisibility. There are definitly more, but no one's lived to tell of them naturally. And the invisibility is probably how he's been getting around so well. Now, if you do manage to dodge his spells too he has his giant fire sword and fire whip. Which are probably his most deadly weapons. Then, if by some grace of God you manage to get past all of that...theres the fact that his hide is stronger then the bark of a sequoia the size of a house. His whole body is surrounded by an aura of fire, and since the only way to kill him is by decapitation the rest of his body regenerates. You cant impale his heart because its encased in unbelievably tough bone casing. His head isnt really that much of a head... its more of just his horned skull. Oh and did I meantion he has wings? Yea he flies..."

Link may not work right, if it shows you some stupid little message from Tripod then copy and past it into the address bar
http://nidastar.tripod.com/nwn/images/nwnbalor005.jpg
(But with more fire )

"It doesn't matter what the Balor wants. All that matters is that it's killing our kind." Crispin said, raising his head from his hands, a look of solemn determination covering his face.

"We're going to need some of my strongest fighters. I say we put otgether a team, we find it, kill it, and rip its damn heart out." Crispin looked at his friends and family all around him.

"Who'se with me?"

(That sounds like Nikoli's kind of plan right there)

The other was rude and arrogant, but no matter, he would learn his place soon enough. A female passed by she remotely resembled a woman he had known before he was turned. She had been killed by creatures, it had upset him greatly, he had cared for her. He had had his revenge in time however. He walked up to a man and asked him where he should go to aquire a living area.

Fort looked to Daphne. He didnt want to admit it, yet he expected her....and wanted her ("Damn you Luna Eclipse!!!" he thought to himself).... to join this operation. He could definitely use the help anyways...

"To answer your question...um...dragon...the Balor Lord is probably here preying upon the souls, energy and power of the lycans and vampires around here. He probably sensed the conflict going on here in Murk Valley and thought he could use it as cover. What I dont know... is how he got here, how he was summoned. Doesn't matter now I guess. Anyways...Daphne, m-mom...what say you two?" Fort said

"We recruit as many trustworthy people as possible. I know Griggs, the other slayer here with me, will be in for sure, and hes perfect for this job. I dont know about you guys. You have to go back to your coven and recruit there i guess. Now, I have to get in contact with a warlock or wizard, most likely a freelancer, so he can come down here and help us out with the Balor Lord's spells. I know a few. I'm going back to the Murk to pick up my stuff and move somewhere else. I have no idea where though... Also, Daphne, Tiffany's body is still in my room if you want it for burial purposes or whatever." Fort said as he adjusted Nasher on his back and turned to walk away.

Daphne thought about Tiffany’s body for the moment. Although both vampires and werewolves liked to keep their presence a secret from the humans it didn’t mean they neccessarily disposed of the other’s dead. Daphne looked at Crispin, “I guess we should dispose of Tiffany.”

“Leave it to me,” Crispin said as he started walking away, he extended his arm to his daughter and Anita decided to take it.

Daphne turned to go after Nathaniel, she had a solution to his residential issue. She caught up to him as she spoke to the other hunter. Daphne felt herself instinctively recoil. Nathaniel turned to look at her, “Are you okay?”

Daphne gave a wary nod as she took a step backward. “I’m fine. I need to talk to you. Alone preferrably.”

Nathaniel looked intrigued as he parted company with his fellow slayer, “What is it?”

“You said you needed somewhere to stay, you may as well use my apartment. Just don’t get it trashed.” She said as she dug the key out of her pocket, “Don’t go through my stuff either,” Daphne said as an afterthought, even though she have very few personal possessions there.

-

Clara looked at the ring Paul gave her and felt extremely privledged. She almost wanted to give it back to him because it seemed so important to him. But then she saw the look in his eyes and realised how important it was to him for her to have it. “Thank you Paul, I feel so honoured.”

“Something beautiful like that deserves to be worn by someone just as lovely.” Paul said shyly.

Clara smiled at his compliment and leant forward to give him a kiss on the cheek. She stepped back and saw that Paul had closed his eyes to savour her touch. “You spoil me Paul.”

Daphne was halfway home when she caught Loxley’s scent. “I know you’re there, Loxley.”

Loxley emerged from the foliage. “I was checking you were okay.”

“I think you’ll see that I am.” Daphne said in response.

“I found another one,” Loxley said quietly.

“Another body?” Daphne asked as she stopped.

“Yes, it was the same as the others. “ Loxley said as they resumed walking.

“It seems we are being hunted by a demon,” Daphne told.

“What? You can’t be serious.” Loxley said in response.

“Nathaniel ran the tests, he confirmed it.” Daphne said as she avoided a fallen branch.

Loxley grabbed her arm, “I don’t like you spending so much time around him.”

“He’s going to help us.” Daphne said in Nathaniel’s defence.

Loxley growled deep in his throat, “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, I don’t like it.”

“You’re imagining things,” Daphne said in response and began to wonder.

“No I’m not. You forget it’s the Luna Eclipse, we’re all hungry for attention from those we’re attracted to.” Loxley said.

Daphne looked at him, “I feel the pull of the Luna Eclipse, Loxley. I know its coming.”

Loxley let out a sigh, “Please consider me.”

“You don’t give up, do you?” Daphne said in response.

He didn’t say anything for a moment. “So what’s the deal with this demon?”

“We need to gather the others. It’s going to take all of us to kill it.” Daphne replied, “Crispin and Anita were coming home to recruit.”

“What took you so long?” Loxley asked.

Daphne hesitated, “I was talking to Nathaniel.”

-

Paul smiled, “You deserve to be spoilt.”

Clara grinned, “Let me get something for you. I’ve got it hidden in the woods.” Clara said as she stripped off. Paul’s jaw dropped.

Clara then turned into her full wolf form and run into the forest leaving Paul to stare opened mouth after her.

Clara knew exactly where she was going. When she had been younger she had a secret hiding place for all her most treasured possessions. She wanted to give Paul something from her childhood, something very special. Eventually she found the spot she was looking for and started to dig. It only took her a few minutes to find what she was looking for. There was a small wooden chest, no bigger than a milk carton. Clara shifted into her humanoid wolf form so she could open the wooden chest. She smiled as she saw a bunch of trinkets she had thought the world of when she was a child. Then she found what she’d been looking for. A small golden knight was sculpted into a proud posture. It had been a gift from her uncle. As Clara buried the chest once again, as she stood up she had the feeling that someone was watching her.

Turning slightly, Clara looked around but could see no one. She raised her nose and sniffed but there was nothing unusual. As she started forward something lashed out and snaked around her leg. It burnt and Clara screamed. She turned to see a burning whip of some sort around her leg. She continued to shriek.

Then something materialised. It was large and disgusting. It was also laughing at her. Clara clawed the ground in an effort to escape but the thing just laughed harder. Suddenly there was immense pain. Clara tried to scream but only a garbled noise came out. She looked at her hands as she tried to scrabble, they were turning back to human and now the skin was drying out. Clara felt parched, she needed to escape but she was so thirsty.

Clara continued to try and claw her way to safety but her movements were becoming slower and her muscles screamed for her to stop. She rolled onto her back to attack but what she saw made her only scream louder...