Tatyana stared at Karl, head tilted slightly to one side. "What?" Karl asked.

She smiled. "It's just so weird that you're from another planet. Cool, but weird.

He could not help but to laugh. "Try being on one," he said. "Try seeing strange creatures that are supposed to be imaginary or extinct walking around."

The discussion the previous night had been mostly smooth, no one from either group had freaked out. The first thing Nichole had done, with Karl's permission, was to tell her friends about it.

Now they sat together, once again, in a room at the backhouses, Nichole and her friends and Karl and his. They had decided to relax once more in style before the first accord. All day, Tatyana and Valentina had teased the five about being alien, and this moment was no different.

"I can't imagine," Valentina said. "We don't really have mythical beings, beside the fairies."

"Use your imagination," Bob suggested playfully. The response was a splash of water to the face.

"Hey," Karl said as some water splashed him. "Watch where you're aiming." Tatyana splashed more his way. He was not going to win. Nichole smiled at him and splashed him, but as close as she sat, she got herself, too.

"That didn't work so well for ya," said Bob. Nichole responded by splashing him again, fueling a splash war. Before long everyone was involved and water covered the stone floor.

Karl stretched, then got out of the hot tub. "We should get going soon," he said. "The accords start at sundown." The others responded with groans.

"I don't wanna leave," Julie said. "It feels so nice."

Karl laughed. "Suit yourself. But I'm going back." He passed through the gravity shower room and entered the locker room. Sam and Nichole were immediately behind him, with Bob, Tatyana and Valentina close behind. Karl started to pull his clothes from the shelf in his locker when a scream erupted behind him. It came from the shower room. Emily!

He raced back to the door in time to see the faintest black shimmer disappear. His heart nearly stopped. Sam raced past, to the girls' side.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked.

Julie said nothing, just looked at Karl, fear in her eyes.

Emily said, "There was a demon in the room!"

Sam turned around, as if another one might suddenly show itself. "You're sure?

"Of course!" Emily yelled. "I'm not crazy!"

"She's right," said Julie softly.

Karl said, "It was there."

Sam looked at Karl. "You saw it, too?"

Karl shook his head. "No. I saw the shimmer right before it was gone, but I believe them because I've seen it once before."

"When?" asked Tatyana.

"A while ago, back in the woods. Julie and I had gone out on patrol and he was there."

"This isn't good," said Valentina.

"No it's not," Sam said. "Let's get back to Cameron and tell him what's going on." The others agreed, then quickly changed and headed toward the central park.

A large crowd was gathered, larger than the two previous nights. Larger, even, than the whole tribe when assembled. A fire was already roaring, even despite the remaining light above. The people milled about, creating as much noise as the previous two nights combined. A small group provided music to one side; Karl could see a few tribesfolk among them.

Two long rows of tables had been set up, food covered every inch. Karl heard Bob groan behind him, wanting badly to sample all that was there. Karl yearned to go as well, trying all the foods and forgetting the image they had left behind at the bath houses. But food would have to wait. This was important; they had to find Cameron.

"Anyone see him?" Sam asked. A chorus of "no's" was the reply. "Okay, everyone pair off. Split up and look around. If you see him, bring him back here." Everyone nodded.

Without thinking, Karl grabbed Nichole's hand and pulled her to the middle of the crowd. They gently pushed through the people, snaking through like a stream through a forest. Every so often he would pause and ask if anyone had seen Cameron or Erika, but no one had recently. Karl looked back at Nichole, frustration on his face; her lips were pursed tight.

"Let's get to the edge," Nichole said over the din. "Maybe we'll find him." He nodded and they started out.

Only a few feet later and someone called out, "Karl! Nichole!" Karl turned to see James pushing his way toward them.

"Have you seen Cameron anywhere?"

"That's why I can to get you," said James. "He's got something to say to us, too." Karl looked at Nichole; her brows were furrowed, a mix of intrigue and confusion. They followed James through the crowd. In the shadows, apart from the larger gathering, there stood a much smaller mass. Karl could see a few of his friends already among the group; Bob and Valentina were not present. Tatyana stood with Emily and Julie near the front. They were leaning in talking with Cameron.

He looked up as James led Karl and Nichole near. Cameron waved them over. He looked at Karl. "Emily says you saw a demon again."

"Julie was there," Karl replied. "I saw the black shimmer faintly before it was gone."

"Think it's the same one?" Cameron asked Julie.

"I'm sure of it."

Cameron's eyes turned hollow. "I was afraid of that."

"What's going on?" asked Nichole.

"I'm about to tell everyone," Cameron said.

Valentina and Bob walked up, guided by Su'mi. "What's this?" asked Bob.

Cameron squared his shoulders and began to address those gathered. "I'm sorry to have pulled you all from the festivities, but I have some terrible news. I sent a small party to the town of U'toia to see our old friend Raj. They arrived back just this morning with news that U'toia had been attacked and Raj is nowhere to be found. U'toia is deserted, and there is evidence demons have been responsible. A horde was tracked down the river."

He hesitated before continuing. "Our friends have recently seen the image of a demon lord on two occasions. In the woods, Julie and Karl, and today in the bath houses, Emily saw him, too." Whispers littered the crowd, a gasp or two as well. Cameron said, "I know we hoped for a break, that I promised ten days, and I will hold to that, if you wish. As always, if you wish to stay, I give you your time. All I need is a few to accompany me to U'toia. Will anyone join me?"

And without any hesitation, every hand was raised. Karl, and even his friends, as well. Cameron smiled.

Then he nodded.