Episode 44

"Ceri!" Gillian yelled. The fire tore them apart, but not before the tube sliced through the air and landed in Ceri's hands.

He sprang, twisted and dodged Luke's outstretched arms. Heart beating madly he chanced a look back: the scene that met his eyes nearly made him trip. Gillian was tangled in a mass of evil-looking vines that rooted him to the ground, slowly constricting and killing him as Evan urged the vines on. Baldur was turning after Ceri, a lazy flicker of orange in his palm ...

Ceri jumped over a row of bushes an instant before they caught flame; bending low he ran along the academy wall praying that the fire could not reach beyond the barrier of bushes between him and the three Nobu.

The path in front of him blew up, sending charred branches flying.

Ceri leapt over the hole, and then ducked as another handful of fire hit the windows behind him.

When Ceri looked up again his path to escape was blocked by Luke.

"Give it over, son." Luke said, raising a gloved hand. "We have better uses for it than you."

"The Janus belongs to the White Sun!" Ceri said, backing up a few steps.

Luke shook his head; the ground before him cracked and a pale, lifeless arm emerged, shaking away the chips of cement. This was followed by a grey face and a naked body.

"It'll kill you on my command," said Luke, as the body straightened itself and fixed its empty eyes on Ceri.

A split seconds as Ceri considered his options; then he turned and ran.

The cadaver moved faster, grabbing Ceri by the shoulder it brought him to the ground and swung its fist down. Ceri twisted; it pummeled the floor and made a gaping hole in the cement.

"The tube," said Luke, palm still outstretched.

Ceri jammed the Janus at the cadaver's groin - to his surprise it shrunk away, as if scared of the seal's power.

Luke reached down, aiming to pluck it from Ceri's arms -

- the sword went clean through his neck.

It seemed as if the cogs of time had jammed up. Ceri and Luke were face to face; Ceri watched as the Nobu's eyes glazed slowly over. Then he gave a groan and dropped to the ground, and Ceri saw who was behind him.

"Gillian wants you to head for the forest gate immediately. He'll be waiting for you there," said Jorasu, lifting Ceri to his feet. "Go quickly - this guy's not dead yet."

Already as he spoke tendrils of flesh wove themselves from the cadaver and mended Luke's wound - soon he would be up and alive.

Ceri did not wait to see what happened. He left, cutting through hallways, courtyards and gardens.

"Did you regret that decision?" A voice asked.

"No." replied Ceri. He knew without looking that Tsae was at his side, running along with him.

"You won't be able to use much yet." Tsae said cheerily, "I'm only here to protect you."

"You could've come earlier, like when a crazed corpse was trying to kill me."

Tsae snorted and faded from view.

Ceri slowed to a walk - he was nearing the forest gate. Gillan was leaning against one of the pillars with his eyes closed, looking tired and pale.

"I've got it!" Ceri called out. "How did you - "

He never completed the sentence. A whoosh, a blast. The world spun as Ceri fell.

An instant later a Nobu covered in blood bent down and took the Janus.