Rosemonde took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. The round analogue clock on the wall behind her, struck nine. It was time for the Symposium.

Libuse smiled. "Well, since we are all already here, let us begin. I have called this informal symposium, to answer the more common queries you might have, in one sitting. Afterwards, the Council will address Rosemonde's and Myrddin's situations, while the candidates go to their various training. Rosemonde, from that quizzical expression on your face, I'd say you're already dying to ask something. Would you like to go first?"

Rosemonde blushed and nodded. "Forgive my ignorance Rhys, but what exactly is a cambion?"

"A cambion is the offspring of a demon, and a human. Probably the most well-known cambions are Caliban from Shakespeare's The Tempest, and - moi." Rhys battered his eyelashes comically. Rosemonde couldn't help but laugh. She knew he was trying to make her feel better.

"Why were you created, Rhys? Are you immortal?" Christian asked.

"I want to know how you came to choose the light over evil?" Myrddin said. "If it's um, not a rude question."

Rhys laughed. "I will answer any questions you have. I am not easily offended. I am immortal Chris, but not all cambions are. I suppose it depends on who the demon parent is, and the purpose behind our creation.

"My father is Asmodeus. He is the demon of lust, and a duke of hell. He created the wizard Merlin to destroy Europe before it could become Christendom. Obviously, I failed miserably." Rhys grinned and everyone laughed.

"To answer your question Myrddin, even as a cambion, I have free will. I saw that my mother was good and I loved her. The boy Arthur, who came into my care, was also good. I didn't want to harm those I cared for, so I didn't."

"So, it can be done? Despite being created specifically for evil, you chose otherwise. I applaud you! I bet it was not easy." Myrddin was genuine. He truly understood the struggle. All he wanted was love, but in its absence, the choices he had made growing up had not been wise.

"The choice was simple, the journey was anything but," Rhys replied. "You know my tale. Nothing worth doing is ever easy."

Rosemonde posed another question to Morgan. "How would I deflect an incubus attack, if-if one were to happen?"

Drew paled and sat up straighter in his chair, waiting for Morgan to respond. Please God no. Not after everything she's been through. Please protect her, you can't let it happen.

"Do not allow yourself to be vulnerable in the first place," Morgan answered. "Do not mistake lust for love, ever! That will invite my kind in. We feed on lust, and we will use it to seduce both your body and your soul. Protect yourself psychically and spiritually, keep only love in your heart and in your mind. Remain faithful to the one you love, not only in deed, but also through your words and thoughts. That is important too. Don't underestimate how important. If you don't give them the opportunity, an incubus can't harm you."

"All of us are at risk of demonic influence, not just you Rosemonde," Ben said. "Once we become Luminous Warriors, once we make the choice to completely renounce the darkness, and everything that lurks in its shadows, we become the enemy. They will seek us out. They do. Therefore, there is a long candidacy. You all need to be very aware that evil is real, and evil doesn't like to be ignored. You will be given every opportunity over the next year to leave. Some will. For some, the pull of the darkness is just too strong. For others, the constant fight is just too much, too draining."

"But we have to try, don't we? There's too much at stake!" Drew replied.

"Exactly. It must get very hard, but imagine a world where there is no light. Where the darkness rules all the time, and the crims always get away... Not on my watch!" Christian said, vehemently.

"Oh, thank you both! We are all encouraged by your position." Agatha smiled graciously and cleared her throat. I will not get emotional. She handed Libuse the list of questions that had been officially submitted after the banquet.

Libuse nodded as she read. "Ah, Chris, you want to know how the Luminous Warriors came to be, and when the citadel of Tweldor was built... Well, the Warriors have existed in one form or another for as long as there has been a battle between good and evil, but the citadel was built as a result of the fall of Atlantis."

There was a collective gasp from some of the newer candidates. Leo laughed at his father's stunned expression. "I know, right? I was blown away when I found out too, but Atlantis isn't as cool as it sounds. It was pretty much an anti-Eden, not nice at all. Eventually all the egos and power struggles caused the place to implode, literally."

"True, but we weren't all bad Leo," Liam declared. 

"It is an important distinction, Leo," Libuse said, "particularly for the elioud who are spiritual refugees from Atlantis."

Liam nodded. "Thank you, Domina. Many of us had been walking in the light. We could sense what was coming and so we left, before the catastrophe occurred. With help from the Creator, we organised an evacuation. Most wouldn't listen, refused to come with us. You're right in that, Leo... I left many I loved behind.

"Some among those of us who did choose to leave, became concerned that they may not assimilate well amongst humans. They appealed to the Creator for a refuge and so, with angelic help, Tweldor was created.

"The proviso was that they would seek out and help those survivors who were living amongst  the humans. They would offer to teach them to use their powers in ways that would help, not harm their surroundings."

"Wait, are you saying that you're from — that the inhabitants of Atlantis were — not human?" Theodora asked.

"And this place was built by angels?" Rosemonde and several others gasped again.

"Yes, and yes," Liam replied. Atlantis grew as a colony of the city that was founded by Cain. Enoch, I think it was called, named after his son. Now as you might recall, Cain was cursed but he never repented, and never actually invited the Creator into his life. His heart was wrathful and ripe for demonic influence. Demons offered him help and power. He accepted. Black magic, blood sacrifice, you name it, it happened. Atlantis grew.

"The population became a mix of nephilim offspring and demonic experiments. Thousands of cambions were made and let's not forget our dear friend Lilith. She loved to experiment and could create a thousand demons a day. These creatures were often strange mutations of angels or demons and then they too would continue to breed with the humans, and so we have morphed into fairies and elves, werewolves and so on. Some walk in the light, most do not."

"Oh my!" Mairead let out the breath she was holding. "And always they are trying to create demonic super villains, to blot out the light."

"Precisely," Libuse affirmed. She checked the next question on the list and chuckled. "How appropriate. Rosemonde asks, 'What is an elioud?' Tally, would you explain?"

"An elioud is the love child of a nephilim," Tallulah responded playfully, before becoming more serious. "As you now know, not all of us are evil, but unfortunately quite a few are. Those who are shapeshifters like Liam are particularly dangerous, because they can become anyone. It can really erode your trust. We need to be super vigilant and trust our discernment."

"Whoa! My head is spinning faster than Linda Blair's in The Exorcist," Theodora moaned.

"An unfortunate choice of analogy, Theodora, given the circumstances!" Drew snorted.

"Well, if we don't laugh, we may just cry!" she countered, annoyed.

"You are both right," Libuse remarked. "What we are fighting for is not to be taken lightly, Theodora, and yet, Drew, if we do not pause to laugh occasionally and give thanks for our blessings, we'll go insane. Talk to one another, share one another's load, give thanks together, and most importantly, love one another. None of us need to fight alone. None of us has to... That is a good place to end this meeting. Et amor in lumine."

"Et amor in lumine," everyone responded. The meeting had come to an end and they all began to file out of the room.

Libuse stood between Rosemonde and Myrddin and placed a hand on each of their shoulders indicating that they were to remain seated. Drew also stayed behind, as did Hannah, the Councillor who Rosemonde had recognised from Gwendolyn's art show. Libuse and Drew proceeded to explain to Rosemonde what the media had been saying about her. She remained silent for a long time, fighting back tears.

"What am I supposed to do?" she asked finally, in despair. "If they throw enough mud, some of it is bound to stick. Innocent or guilty, the public have made up their minds about me, and my life will be a living hell. Drew, you're already a public figure. This could ruin you too! I'd understand if you didn't want to be associated with-"

"Don't be stupid!"

"But this isn't just about you, Drew! The band will be dragged down with you, is that fair?"

"Oh, come on! It's not the first time we've been caught up in a scandal, Rosemonde, as you know. Hell, it probably won't be the last. I'm in a rock band, babe! Five big egos. Remember when they thought I was the father of Charlie's baby?" Drew said, aggrieved. "Do you think so little of me?"

"But that was staged! This — THIS IS REAL!"

"Rosemonde stop. Breathe. We can fight back. We've already begun, and it is working," Hannah asserted.

"I don't understand. How?" Rosemonde asked.

"Libuse promised your mother that she would watch over you and for the most part she has fulfilled her promise. The day of the art show however, she had other duties and so was unable to attend. As you have probably guessed, I attended instead," Hannah explained.

"Which was rather fortuitous, since I do not have a great understanding of human social media." Libuse mused.

"Not only did I witness the interaction between you and that hideous creature Paul, I recorded it on my phone. I posted the video to YouTube a few days ago with a brief blurb about how it was clear that it was the first time you had met the man. As expected, it has gone viral and the hashtag 'innocent Rose' is now also trending on X. The public tide has turned, definitely in your favour, but it's not over yet. Your behaviour will need to be impeccable before the trial, and you and Drew-"

"Stop! Please don't say it aloud, Hannah." Rosemonde's face was as red as a tomato. "I get it okay?"

"I'm sorry if it embarrasses you Rosemonde, but your virginity is an important aspect to your defence," Libuse said. "In fact, it would be prudent to get a medical doctor to verify that you are um...intact. It would completely kill the rumours, and leave no doubt that the other side have been lying, blatantly."

Rosemonde nodded, too embarrassed to make eye contact with anyone. Theodora's words at dinner came back to her. They now made perfect sense.

Hannah continued, "Myrddin, unfortunately you do not come off looking too good in my video. Also, we cannot deny that evidence exists to support the fact that you were and since you are very much alive, still are, the High Priest of Azazael. That in itself is damning."

"Given that this places you in extreme danger, the Council has voted to grant you sanctuary here indefinitely. At this stage we have not been able to come up with a plan to clear your name. It may not be possible, which means you may not ever be able to return," Libuse delivered the verdict with sadness. "I am sorry, we have yet to find another solution."

Myrddin shook his head. "Don't be sorry. I am so very grateful to you, for everything. By allowing me to stay, you are saving my life. I have no doubt of that."