THE END IS THE KEY

[Kiara Johnson]

INTRO




Kiara's immortality lost, and her powers seemingly to be going as well.  The deal with the Devil Max had made to gain her back had lost her all she knew.  Every time he tried to apologize however, Kiara would come back with the same answer.

"You had no other choice, and I would much rather be here, a Muggle, then be at the Devils' side, killing my world."

Although, with each passing day, a little more of her died and as a part of her died, so did the earth.  They had figured they would have a lifetime to get Kiara back to normal again, they were wrong.  The Devil did not just take her immortality but was also draining her powers, slowly, but steadily.  She imagined she'd probably have just a few more months before she was totally without power.

So, she had taken to thinking a lot, up at the top of her mountain, alone, she would not allow Max to join her for she didn't want him to see her crying for her earth, not for herself, she cared not what she was, but as she looked out over her forest, the very one she had saved from both the Muggles and from the lava that threatened it, she felt it crying out in pain as her powers to sustain it, drained away as well.

[Kiara Johnson]

CHAPTER ONE: EVEN UNWANTED HELP IS STILL HELP




Kiara had just come home from her place of thought, her eyes red as always from crying.  She looked at Max, and then averted her eyes.

This was the norm as of late.  She'd come home, look at him then leave the room with no word what so ever.  She'd go to the kitchen and make dinner and any attempt Max made at conversation was abruptly ended by her telling him he needed to go set the table.

Tonight however, Max had finally had enough.

"Kiara, I'm not leaving you this time.  You'll tell me why you continue to brood over what is happening.  We will find something soon, I know it and so do you.  We will get your powers back."  He said, laying his hand on her shoulder.

"Max, I don't care about having my powers back, I don't give a d**n about my immortality, what I do care is that the earth is dying and there is nothing I can do about it, nothing at all.  Every morning I wake up, I feel another species of plant gone vanished from the earth along with another thing I can't do with my mind.  Soon, there will be nothing left, and HE, will be here to take over.  He's won Max, How can I possibly fight this?  By the time I do come up with something, it will be too late..." she finished, turning form him and stirring their dinner that was still cooking on the stove.

"You're not alone Kiara, Harry, Ginny, Lavender and even Ron have been looking for an answer.  Moloch has been preoccupied with other troubles just now but I am sure he's trying to find something too."  Max replied, wanting more than anything to just see her smile about something, anything.

Kiara merely shrugged.

"Well, I hope we find something soon.  I don't know how much longer the earth will hold out with out its magic."  Then she took the dinner from the stove, her hand shaking, it spilled on her arm.

Kiara winced and dropped the pan back on the counter. Then she looked at her arm, Max looked too.

The burn on her arm didn't begin to heal nor did it stop burning, Kiara winced and Max placed his hand over it and healed it for her, not saying a word, knowing what she was thinking the whole time.  Then he kissed her forehead and together they brought out what was left of their dinner and ate silently.

The next afternoon, whilst Max was at work, Kiara tried to teleport to her thinking place and found that she couldn't do it any more.  She sighed, looked around the house then stepped into the library.

She knew that her and Max had decided not to go to the books for answers but she was becoming desperate so, she took out a book from the shelf, it was a journal actually, of an ancient Wizard Named Merlin.  HE had loads of prophecies in there; he was probably responsible for about 40% of all the prophecies known today.  

She brought the book to the table and opened it, then, using the training that had been drilled into the her, she began running her eyes over the pages until she caught a word that may have contained information to the current situation.

However, by the end of the day, she had gone through almost half the books in their library and had found only one thing and that was that this would happen, no counter prophecies could be found anywhere, only the ones that stated her very help in letting the Devil loose on the earth.  Max was right, none of them said he'd be responsible, only her.

Totally frustrated now, she walked to the living room, took the soul Sword from its resting place and took it out back to practice.

This was something else she had begun to do, she had been good with a sword before but now, she was becoming great for she had practiced every day for the last year.  It had indeed been a year since Max took her from the depths of Hell and brought her home.  

There was a loud pop and Kiara whirled around, the sword situated for an attack, an attack that came, his sword smashed down on hers knocking her back a few steps and making her have to look away as the fiery sparks from the two magic sword clashing together made.

"You've gotten quick Kiara."  Moloch greeted.

"And you, should be out looking for a way out of this."  Kiara said, pushing him back and jumping to the side, readying herself for another strike.

Moloch grinned and lunged, Kiara parried his attack and steeped to the side, each time their swords met, sparks flew.

"Very nice, but I have found something out."  Moloch stated, complementing her form and answering her question at the same time.

"Really?" Kiara said as she lunged, attacking to his left.

"Really."  Moloch answered, deflecting her attack, barely.

"Do tell, guardian."  She said, smiling at him.

Max came home to the sounds of metal crashing against metal and rushed to the back yard, ready for anything then stopped as he reached the door, a smile on his lips as he watched the two, playing.

"Welcome home Max."  Moloch said as Kiara's blade slid down his.

Kiara stopped and put her blade down, at her side and looked at Max.

"Hi babe."  She actually smiled at him.

Moloch took this opportunity to teach her a lesson in trust and swung his sword, intending on knocking her down and pinning her however, as relaxed as she looked, his attack didn't work, Kiara rolled away from it coming around behind him and stopping the sword as its sharp edge rested on the back of his neck.

"You are too confident in your own abilities Moloch." She said a large smile on her lips.

But then she felt steel against her own neck and she dropped her sword the ground, rolling her eyes.

"And you need to learn the difference between a duplicate and the real thing."  Moloch answered then sheathed his sword.

Kiara bent, picked up her sword and smiled.

"I should have known."  She shook her head and started towards Max and the door.

[Ginny Weasly]

good job kiara. I need to hear the rest of this story. Glade you started to post it.

[Evil_To_The_Max]

yeah,continue....

[Kiara Johnson]

"She's gotten really good Max, you'd better watch it."  Moloch stated, laying a friendly hand on his shoulder as he entered the house.

After Kiara had replaced her sword back in its proper place, she joined the guys in the drawing room.

"So, you said you found something out?"  Kiara asked Moloch as she sat in a chair facing the two males.

"I do have some information that might help.  Although, it's more of a person, willing to help."  Moloch stated, looking from Max and Kiara.  

"Who..." Max stated, his voice a low growl, knowing he is about to hear news of someone he'd rather not.

"Sebastian."  Moloch answered simply.

Max opened his mouth to say something but closed it, knowing, even as much as he distrusted Kiara's half brother he had, helped with Voldem0rt and they had run out of all other options.

"Ok."  He said after he'd controlled the urge to kick Moloch out of their house for even suggesting it.  "What does he know?"  He asked.

Kiara looked at Moloch then to Max, she laid her hand on Max's arm but said nothing.

"You'll have to ask him yourself, he refused to tell me anything, said that if you wanted his help, you, Max, would have to ask for it."  Moloch finished.

Max took a deep breath then nodded.  "Ok, I'll ask."  He almost growled.

[Evil_To_The_Max]

great job  ;) continue.

[Kiara Johnson]

CHAPTER TWO: The QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE




"Just make sure you don't raise your voice at him Max.  He's every bit as quick to anger as I am only difference is that he's got a more devious head on his shoulders."  Kiara was saying to Max as he prepared to go meet Sebastian.

"I won't.  He just better keep it civil, I bet he's loving this."  Max growled slightly again.  He hated the fact that he had to go to Sebastian; he had thought long ago that he'd never have to see him again.

Kiara shook her head and smiled slightly.  Kissing Max on the cheek.

"I'll see you when you get back then.  Good luck."

Max returned her kiss then disappeared from their home with a slight whisper of wind.


Max appeared in the underground lair of the Fire Lord in a matter of moments.  He looked around and took a deep breath then stated his walk to the cave of the King.

Fire demons began to gather around behind him, they kept their distance but followed him at a very uncomfortably close range.  Max could feel the heat coming from each of them and a slight sweat began to from in his brow.

After several minutes, Max stopped and turned to them, the heat was becoming rather annoying to say the least.

As he stopped, so did they and as he stared at them, they too stared back, just as curious as he'd ever seen any demon.  The sight almost made him laugh.

"Why don't you go run along and tell your Lord I've arrived and stop following me."  He almost growled at them.

The demons looked from one to another then back at Max again.  The front one nodded and the rest followed it ahead of Max.

Max shook his head then proceeded to the cave, not ten feet in front of him.

As Max entered the cave if the King, he looked around, his amusement about the fire demons earlier was nothing like now, he actually laughed at the sight of Fire Demons sitting around a huge rock-like table playing poker and arguing, Sebastian was sitting with them, he looked up and nodded at Max as he entered.

"I'll be with you after this round, can't walk away form this game you know..." He said, looking back at his fiery cards in his hands.

Max nodded, the look of amusement on his face still evident.  It was really quite funny, seeing Demons sitting around a table playing cards and arguing about who's stronger than who.

After a few minutes, the game was over, Sebastian winning the pot, what ever was inside the pot, Max didn't think he even wanted to know.

"It's not fair Boss, you always win."  Said one of the Demons.

Sebastian winked at it and then turned his fiery eyes on Max and stood.

"Welcome to my home Max.  I trust your keeping my sister safe?  Oh wait, you made her loose her powers, I forgot."  He said, his tone indifferent to emotion however it hit Max all the same and raised his temper, washing the look of amusement form his face just as fast.

"Look, I'm willing to admit I made mistake, I didn't come here to be ridiculed by the likes of you.  How can I help her?"  Max retorted, keeping his voice calm, despite his wanting to rip Sebastian's throat out.

Sebastian studied him, walking away from the table and up to stand before Max, his scrutiny of Max becoming uncomfortable before he finally looked away, putting his hands behind his back and walking deeper into the cave.

"Follow me Max."

Max followed him deep into the depths of his realm.  All the while looking closely around him, remembering the twists and turns made to get there in case he needed to make a quick retreat.  Sebastian may be Kiara's half brother however; Max had no love for the Demon any more than the Demon did for him.

Sebastian finally came to a stop, deep within the cave and turned to Max again.

"I do have information that may help revive my sister to normal however, there is something you must do to obtain it."  Sebastian started.

"Get on with it Sebastian, I'm tired of riddles, I got enough of those with the devil." Max stated, his head beginning to pound.

"I was just about to get to the point old boy.  Perhaps you are just impatient, and a bit rude."  Sebastian retorted, his own temper raising a notch.  "However, seeing as it is my sister we talk about, I'll tell you what it is you must do."  He paused and regarded Max for several moments before continuing.  "You see that corridor over there?  It contains certain knowledge in it that only one person can retrieve.  I am not that person but have been told of some of the contents by the Keeper of the underworld.  I think, you might be just the person to retrieve the knowledge, if you are willing to try, that is."  He finished, now looking at Max again, his fiery eyes burning with a different color, green flames burning now in the sockets of the Fire Lord.

"And what if I am not the person who has the right to retrieve the books?"  Max questioned.

"Then you will die trying, immortal or not, your life will become forfeit forever."  Sebastian replied bluntly.

Max looked at the opening to the corridor; it was bathed in an ice-blue light, much the same color of his eyes.

[Ginny Weasly]

my Kiara, please, keep going

[_Lavender_]

Yes, please continue! I love it!  :D

[Kiara Johnson]

"You don't care either way, do you, as to rather I die or not."  Max stated more than asked, his tone of hatred for the Fire lord showing strongly.

Sebastian laughed a heated, almost burning laugh of great detestation.

"Yes Max, you are right, I could not care a less as to rather you live or die, it really would not be a loss for me at all.  However, I'm afraid that I would not have even called you here if I didn't think it was possible for you to retrieve that which no one else can.  The fate of the world is at stake and although, it would not affect my realm, I do happen to like at least a few of the Humans or otherwise, Vampires of the upper world so wish to see Kiara put back to normal as much if not more even than you.  Don't pretend to be the only one who cares for your wife Max, there are those of us who love her just as greatly."  Sebastian growled at him, his fangs showing this time, barely able to keep control of his urge to strike Max down just for his standing in his home.

"Ok Sebastian, I will take the quest to find what is needed, however, you must promise to do me a favor if I fail."  Max started, knowing that to fail would be to die.

"What is it, human?"  Sebastian said, still between clenched teeth.

"If I fail, you will find another way to save Kiara, no matter what the cost, you say you love her just as greatly as I do, if it is true, then IF I fail down there, you will be willing to do so."  Max returned.

Sebastian relaxed then nodded.

"It will be as you ask, if you fail down there.  Now go, every moment we waste bickering back and forth draws us nearer to the ugly fate awaiting the earth."

[Evil_To_The_Max]

continue ;)

[Kiara Johnson]

Max nodded then started into he opening of the corridor.  As he passed through the Ice-Blue curtain, he felt tingling all over his body and a slight shiver ran through his spine.  The air on the corridor its self was chilling, almost to an icy state, as if he was wandering through the vast plains of the Artic, unprotected, but he continued on.

He walked for a very long time, each step he took a painful reminder of his human self as the cold nipped at the skin of his cheeks, his cloak offered little protection form the chill, yet he continued, around corner after corner, corridor after corridor until finally, he came to a large stone door with writing on it and although the writing was of ancient ruins, he was able to read it.  The words burned into the door, icy blue in color yet emitting heat that Max could thankfully feel on his face as he looked upon it then he read.


HALL OF THE GODS TO ENTER HERE IS TO SUBMIT TO THEIR WILL> IF ONE SEEKS KNOWLEDGE THEN PROCEDE< IF THOU ARE NOT WORHY< THOU SHLT SURELY FAIL AND BE KNOWN TO THE EARTH NO MORE

There were no handles to open the door, and no other way; he tried to push it open with his shoulder, nothing.  He stepped back and looked at it for a moment then shook his head and smiled at himself.  Then, he placed his hand lightly over the words and they flared to life, the door trembled beneath his hand then slowly began to open.  Max stepped back and waited, the sound of stone grating on a smooth hard surface and the rumbling of the corridor around him filled his ears until finally, the door was open, Max could not see the interior of the room but stepped in, and the door closed behind him, just as slowly as it had opened.

[Evil_To_The_Max]

continue...

[_Lavender_]

 :o please continue!!

[Kiara Johnson]

As soon as the door shut behind him, the room lit up with an almost binding light then it adjusted and Max looked around.

In the center of the room was a table, a very large table, big enough for giants.  There were four seats and upon the table rested four goblets and four plates, each of the plates had something on it.  Max climbed the one step that took him to the table and then looked at the item on the pales.  It looked just as though it were nothing more than purple plums, although they seemed a little too large for that.  He reached his hand out instinctively to feel one then closed his fingers, thinking it best not to try and disturb anything he wasn't sure about

He hopped down to the main floor once again, his ice-blue eyes searching the interior finding a corridor to his right and he walked over to it.  As he stepped into the entrance, an icy chill seemed to spread over him, its icy fingers touching his every nerve, making his hair literally stand on end and, making it hard to keep from clattering his teeth together in the normal fashion one does when beginning to freeze to death.

Instead of turning back however, driven by the desire to find what he desired, the answer to their current situation and the life of not only the world, but more importantly to him, his wife as well, for what was the world without Kiara?  He walked on, forcing his freezing limbs to move on.

A few more paces and his head began to swim with voices, hundreds it seemed, perhaps thousands, all echoing the same thing.  "Why have you come?"  They all asked the same question over and over again until, his head feeling as if it would explode, he yelled out.
"The truth!"  His voice broke through the voices in his mind, seeming to shatter their very existence with a loud reverberating that bounced off the slick, ice covered walls of the corridor and bounced ahead of him and then, nothing, darkness once gain.

At first, he thought perhaps he'd been blinded for some unknown reason, but soon, as his eyes began to adjust to the darkness of the corridor, he noticed a light blue haze of sorts standing in front of him.  It seemed at first to have no shape but as he focused his eyes on the figure, it took shape and he noticed that, standing before him was an Old Roman style dressed male, his eyes the color of ice his face looking about in his mid thirties but his eyes told a longer story, a story of innumerable years.

"You are max Johnson, are you not?"  The old man said, his lips not moving, talking not literally in the sense of the word, but sending thoughts.  "Stand son, and walk with me."  He finished, his voice seemed far away, almost unreal but real all the same.

Max stood, his freezing limbs literally seeming to scream at his movement.

"Oh, I almost forget that humans have a need of warmth, my brothers keep reminding me, sorry for that."  The old man said in an almost very apologetic way and as he spoke, Max began to immediately warm, as if there was never any freezing in his joints or muscles on the first place.

"Hum, thanks."  Max said, not having any other words to use at the moment, he was still trying to figure out who this 'person' was.

The male chuckled then began to walk further into the corridor and stopped just n the opening to a cavern lit by incandescent blue light.  In the center of the cavern was am altar of sorts and on the altar, sat a book.

Max looked at the book, his eyes wandering from it, to the lighting around the cavern then, to the man standing next to him.

The man seemed to emit an aura so strong, it almost made him want to cry.  It was so peaceful, so loving and at the same time, demanding of the deepest respect.

"Who are you?"  Max asked, his question seeming to float on the air, still, and unmoving after it left his lips.

"Why, I am the God Aldur my son."  He replied as if Max should have known this.

Max's mouth almost dropped open,  "The maker of the stone."  He replied not really asking, but stating.


"The same, now hurry, go get you prize and be out of here before my nbrother arrives, he thinks it would be better suited to keep things running on its current course, however, I have a vengeance needed to be abated for the death of my greatest disciple and the death of Voldem0rt by the hands of your wife did not fully terminate that desire.  Take your book and be off with you and, I will be watching."  He replied then seemed to flicker and vanish.

Max listened to his words closely then wasting no time, he steppe into the circle of incandescent light and up to the altar, grasping the book in his hands.

As his hand touched the book, he and the old, dusty tomb vanished from the room.