"You could have told me you know. You should have. My dad would have helped you, protected you," Max said quietly. He was clearly hurt by Myrddin's lack of trust in him and in his family. A family Myrddin had known since his first year in high school.

"Should've, would've, could've. Ain't hindsight a beautiful thing?" Myrddin sighed and attempted a smile. He knew that Libuse would have told Max the truth. That was one of the conditions of staying at Tweldor — openness and honesty.

They all had some time before they had to attend the meeting that had been called by Libuse, so the four friends were taking a walk around the grounds of the citadel. Rosemonde had been ecstatic at seeing Max and Ursula again but Myrddin's initial reaction had been fear. His heart was racing when Rosemonde took Ursula aside so that the two men could catch up.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say to you Max," Myrddin said at last.

"I always wanted a brother. Then I met you and you were that for me. You were my brother. I trusted you, I looked up to you. I love you. I thought you felt the same towards me."

"I did. I DO!" Myrddin become more vehement when a despondent Max shook his head.

"You didn't trust me," Max replied.

"I didn't trust anyone! I wasn't sure that I could ever trust anyone. No one knew my dirty secret Max. Mum was the only one who believed me. Dad didn't. I'm sure Owen didn't, or he wouldn't have just left like he did. They all thought that I was a 'naughty little story teller.' My own family. Do you think after that, I'd want to risk telling anyone else, especially anyone important to me? I didn't want to risk losing you. Dolly now believes I'm a monster. Do you?"

"No. I kicked her out of my house," Max said sadly. "I admit when I learned that you'd been involved in black magic, I was more than a little shaken; but I do get your rationale. I'm not saying I agree with it, but...I can understand why you got involved. My anger came from my hurt. Don't you get that I would have wanted to help you, protect you from harm? That's what family does. That's what love is."

Myrddin looked away. Tears were threatening and tears were not manly. "Yeah well, unfortunately I'm a little lacking in experience with the love thing, but I'm trying. I swear to you I am," he's voice was hoarse with emotion.

"Well, good!" Max's stern expression softened and he took a step towards Myrddin. "Oh, come here, you big lug!" The two men hugged like the brothers they had been, the brothers they were still. "Just promise me you'll be good to Rosemonde. She's my other sister, and brother or not, I will not allow you to hurt her."

"You won't have to worry about that." Myrddin laughed and called Rosemonde over, "Rosie come and tell Maxwell about your new man!"

"Say what?"

"Time moves differently here, mate. We love one another dearly, but we're no longer together." Myrddin smiled to see Max and Ursula's open-mouthed expression. "I told you I am changing. I am trying my hardest to learn about love, and I've met a girl who I think I am in love with. Her name is Theodora. Rosie has fallen head over heels for Drew Wilson. They are very much a couple."

"I KNEW he liked you!" Ursula squealed and clapped her hands.

"It would seem I was the very last to know," Rosemonde laughed.

The peeling of Tweldor's large bells, ended their discourse.

"I thought we had some time before the meeting," Ursula exclaimed.

"Libuse said that a gong would sound to signify that the meeting was going to start, not bells." Max said confused. "These bells are so loud, sort of like a Luminous Warrior version of an alarm. I wonder, is there an emergency?"

"Not an emergency," Rosemonde replied. She had a beatific smile on her face. "Libuse explained that Tweldor's bells are rung for one purpose only, to announce the arrival of an angel."

"I-I don't think I'm ready for that. H-How does one even address an angel?" Ursula stammered.

"How does a sinner like me even look at an angel?" Myrddin said quietly.

"With love," Rosemonde said simply. "How can anyone look at or address an angel any other way?" She ran towards the third door as they had been instructed by Libuse. "Come on! How many people can say they've actually seen an angel?"

The others looked at one another and exhaled sharply. Unlike Rosemonde who was bursting with joy, they appeared apprehensive. Nevertheless, they too made their way to the third door, but much more slowly.

Upon entry, Rosemonde and Myrddin saw that they had entered a larger meeting room than the one they had been in for the informal symposium. This chamber was more like an auditorium — far more formal with its concert hall chandeliers, dark wood panelling and red suede seats. Everybody was talking nervously. Libuse and the Councillors were formally attired, seated centre stage.

Rosemonde scanned the room for more familiar faces. Some of the candidates looked terrified, others were excited. They all could hear the loud reverberation of the bells outside. When the bells fell silent, so did the talking. The quiet became reverence and awe.

Everyone rose to their feet as an intense bright white light filled the chamber. Rosemonde heard someone sobbing softly. She blinked a few times before she had to cover her face. When the light began slowly to dim, she uncovered her face and eyes and she could focus again. She saw the most beautiful man she had ever seen, standing before them. In a gentle yet compelling voice, he spoke.

"I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve Him. Be not afraid. I come in the name of God the most high. He has sent me to help you and to warn you. I did not come on my own, so sing His praises and give Him thanks. Pray for me as I will pray for all of you. Your prayers give us strength. Oh yes, I do mean that literally. Prayers feed love, and love helps light your way through the darkness. The strength of your prayers will be much needed for what is to come.

"The evil one has chosen Asmodeus for his latest plan. Asmodeus believes he can destroy Tweldor. He will cause much suffering among you. He has already. However, he will not prevail. As long as you focus on what is love, and continue to live in the light, you will be saved."

Raphael then spoke to Rosemonde's heart. She understood the trials that were ahead of her but she was no longer as afraid as she had been.

Raphael spoke to all of them. Each of them received the message that was their own. Some messages were hard to accept. Some messages were even terrifying; but each one of the Warriors and candidates had pledged their allegiance to all that is good. They would fight as God's army against the Luciferian hordes et amor in lumine.