“Are you sure?” asked Alex, watching Leon’s face for any change that would reveal any hidden intention.

“Yes, I have several spies still inside Elan coven. They have opened the vault and intend to use a very dangerous artifact to try and kill Nemain.”

“Is that even possible?” asked Elliott, glancing over at Ahriman for answers. Ahriman just tilted his head, looking rather uninterested in the subject while his eyes perused the decor of the office.

“I would say no, there is no object that can kill an archon. What artifact do they intend to use?”

“The Khadga of Kali,” Leon said, making Alex frown. Khadga is the name of mythological swords used in ceremonies. It is a bit unsure of what they are but Kali is the goddess who destroys evil.

“Well, that’s a bother,” Ahriman said, suddenly interested. “They really shouldn’t use that.”

“You know of it.”

“Yes, probably more than you mortals. It was a tool created by my brother and given to the mortals when the Devas started to override his decree and come into the mortal world with their powers intact. The only way a god could enter this world was if they temporarily relinquished their power. The Devas, and later the Asuras avoided this by being reincarnated into a mortal body. Becoming an avatar.”

“I thought only those with a soul could be reincarnated and gods don’t have one, making them unique,” Elliott said.

“You have been reading up. Yes, that is correct but the Devas created a source similar to a soul that would allow them to be reincarnated and unlike humans, they often had their memories intact,” Ahriman explained, uncurling his hand in front of them. From his palm, black smoke formed the shape of a half-moon blade. “So, my brother created a khadga that could kill a god and gave it to the mortals. If the gods would go out of line like before, the mortals could kill them.”

“My grandfather found the khadga in a temple that revealed itself in India in around 1930. He retrieved it and kept it safe by locking it away,” Leon explained.

Ahriman made a fist and the smoke image faded away. “An act that most likely saved many. The Khadga has been defiled by the Archon of Taint, Zarazen, the creator of Dark Magic. It now siphons magical essence from the one it cuts, sending it directly to Zarazen, and defiles the one who carries the blade.”

“What does that mean for us?” asked Alex, not liking the sound of that.

“Let me give you a glimpse of what Zarazen wants. The mind of an Archon. He is the personification of dark magic. The Defiler. He wants to rise from being an Archon to become an Anterion. For that he needs power. If the foolish mortal would try and use the khadga on Nemain, his power would be transferred to Zarazen and he would be one step closer to achieving that goal,” Ahriman explained, smiling grimly. “And if he achieves it. Every source of magic would be defiled. Spirits would turn to shades, shifters would turn to Penumbras and witches would only be able to use the dark arts. I don’t think I will have to utter the urgency that we need to get our hands on that blade.”

“Why would your mother allow this?” Alex asked Leon who looked all the grimmer. “She must have some knowledge of this.”

“Not to that extent. We know it can kill gods which already is a serious act since killing gods affect the world order. It shouldn’t be done lightly, but we didn’t know it was defiled. At least we pretended not to know,” Leon sighed, letting his fingers run through his hair. “My mother is changed. Ever since she was burned by Nemain, she has wanted revenge. It has dimmed her mind.”

“Your mother was always a mental case. Sorry to say so, but she was ambitious and greedy. Two traits that always lead to disaster,” Alex said. “So, we will need to steal the Khadga.”

“Yes,” Elliott said slowly.

“From Crann Eolais.”

“Yes.”

“The headquarters that only the elan coven can enter.”

“That pretty much sums it up,” Elliott finally sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Has anyone any idea how to accomplish this?”

“I might have one, but we need something that we currently lack,” Ahriman said.

“Which is?”

“Time.”

*****

The light had started to fade, but a few last streams of light still peeked through the trees into the glade. The trees had started to shift from green to orange which left a warm impression on anyone who watched it.

Blake on the other hand was too busy to laugh at his boyfriend to notice. Jaxon was grumbling as he tried to put up the tent, the manual was close to his face and the tent looked gloomy as it hang from the lack of support.

“This was a horrible idea,” Jaxon muttered, as he hit himself once again over the thumb. He finally gave up and called his father, who came with his brother Kai in mere five minutes as the glade was just outside the Price house. The glade was covered by the trees but was far away enough to cause his parents to worry during these tumultuous times.

In just a few seconds and grumbles later, the tent was up and Owen slapped Jaxon over the arm while pulling Kai away by the neck as he wasn’t as willing to abandon the snacks Blake had provided them.

Snuggling up in the tent as the air had grown cold, Blake laid his head against Jaxon’s chest, marveling at how warm he was. Jaxon’s lips stroke his forehead, as his arms reached around him.

“Did you get everything?” Blake asked his cheek heating as the words were uttered.

Jaxon eagerly pulled out condoms and lube, which only made Blake want to bury his face into the pillow then he desperately held back a chuckle when Jaxon pulled out a pamphlet with, how to make it enjoyable for your boyfriend, written across it. The two guys kissing on the front showcased its content and was adorable if not a bit worrying.

“Jaxon?”

“I got it,” he said, scurrying back under the cover. He pressed his face against Blake’s neck inhaling his scent which only made Blake giggle nervously. He wanted to slap himself when the girlish noise escapes him but the sound just seem to encourage Jaxon who looked up, engulfing their lips into a heated kiss.

The next few minutes were a bundle of awkwardness as hands were flying around, trying to find where they were supposed to do the most good. Only to be interrupted by gasps and laughter. Jaxon seem to finally give up and pull off his shirt, showcasing a row of muscles that made Blake very shy and very excited.

Jaxon held himself up above Blake, allowing his gaze to wander and finally gathering enough courage to touch him. His hand stroking the hard muscles that shifted under Blake’s touch when Jaxon inhaled deeply and shakily.

Feeling like he should do something in kind, Blake tried to pull off his shirt. Only to get stuck and left wiggling before Jaxon laughed and showed mercy on him, helping the shirt off. The reveal wasn’t as explosive as Jaxon’s as Blake’s built wasn’t nearly as impressive but Jaxon seemed satisfied as a whine escaped him at the sight.

Blake wanted to cover himself up as he felt exposed, but instead choose the next best thing. To cover himself up with Jaxon, as he pulled him closer for a kiss. Allowing his arms to wrap themselves around Jaxon’s neck.

Jaxon seemed far more confident, as he allowed instinct to take over. His hands now almost steady, as they stroked Blake’s skin. Slowly, moving down to his pants which for some reason had started to shrink.

“Jaxon!” Blake gasped, as the hand reached inside his pants, touching the swollen area which throbbed needily. Encouraged by the sound of his name, Jaxon allowed his kisses to shower every part of Blake who was now pulling on Jaxon’s pants. Wanting them off, he wanted more of their skin to be in contact.

Rustling and gasped, filled the tent as they finally pulled the last piece of clothes off. Blake’s heart was racing,  his lips red from the kisses and his head muddled by desire. He wanted more, pressing his body against Jaxon’s, barely being able to distinguish Jaxon’s sudden mutter as he reached for something.

A few seconds later, something cold reached his backside, making him wince.

“Sorry, it’s cold,” Jaxon muttered. “I need to prepare you.”

Blake felt his face flush, and he had to hide his face in his hands, not being able to watch the embarrassing scene as Jaxon allowed his finger to enter him. There was a resistance, and Blake felt himself tense up and then the pain hit him. A dull, throbbing pain engulfed his nether regions where Jaxon was intruding and he grimace.

Jaxon allowed his finger to go deeper which made Blake whimper. Feeling Jaxon tense up, Blake tried to relax.

“Does it hurt?” Jaxon asked weakly.

“A bit,” Blake admitted, removing his hands from his face. “I will be fine just… go slower. It feels weird.”

Jaxon listened, watching Blake’s face for any change as he continued. Each time he put in a bit too much and Blake whimpered, he froze making the preparation a long and tedious process. Blake tried to make it better by kissing Jaxon but he was too focused on his fingers.

“What are you doing?” Blake finally asked, holding onto Jaxon with a gasp when he felt his fingers scissoring him.

“Trying to find that place.”

“What place?”

“It’s supposed to be a place where you will feel really good, but I cannot seem to find it,” Jaxon admitted, glancing over at the pamphlet. Blake prayed he would not just stop in the middle and start to read it.

“Maybe it’s deeper inside?”

“I am supposed to be able to reach it with my fingers though,” Jaxon muttered, clearly distressed by the entire situation.

“It doesn’t matter, let’s do it,” Blake finally said as he couldn’t handle this awkwardness anymore.

“Let’s-“

“Do it, I’m prepared enough,” Blake said and Jaxon immediately rolled over, putting himself into the right position.

Blake took a deep breath, feeling the pressure against his entrance. Letting out something between a whimper and a gasp as the force sent a rush of pain through him. Tears filled his eyes, and he bit his lip trying to hold back a shout. Then…

A few seconds went by before Blake looked up at Jaxon who was staring at his face with something akin to horror. Jaxon’s face was so pale that Blake feared for a few seconds that he had died of a heart attack, then Blake cleared his throat.

“Jaxon… I think you might… have a few problems.”

*****

 Elliott drank his tea, enjoying the silence in the living room. It was these few pieces of absolute serenity that kept him sane.

The door suddenly slammed up, Jaxon stood there pale, his hair unruly and half-dressed which made it obvious what he had been doing.

“I can’t get it up!” Jaxon shouted at his brother and Elliott spluttered out his tea.

“What the bloody hell do expect me to do about it?!”

“I don’t know what happened!”

“What were you doing?”

“I were trying to have sex.”

“Obviously, but where in the intimate part where you and what were you feeling.”

“I was trying to get it in but Blake cried out in pain. I was preparing him for so long. Why did it hurt?”

Elliott groaned, “Of course, it hurt. It’s his first time, it takes a while to get it right and get used to it.”

“But the pamphlet said-“

“What pamphlet?”

“The one dad gave me about gay sex!”

Elliott wanted to pull his hair out. His brother tried to have sex with the instructions in a pamphlet. This was just ridiculous.

Realizing that Elliott wasn’t going to say anything, Jaxon continue,” How did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Handle the pain?”

“I pretty much gritted through it. It gets easier if you wait when you are inside and then go slow. When I did it with Joshua, I ensured that he was relaxed as some of the pain comes from your partner tensing making it harder to put it in.”

Jaxon stared at Elliott for a while before something dawn on him. “You were the top?!”

“The-“ Elliott felt like he had entered a foreign world. What the hell was a top? “We shift position. There isn’t a set rule who is supposed to be-“

“Thank you!” Jaxon said, slamming the door in Elliott’s face.

What had just happened? Elliott forced the thoughts out of his mind, deciding it was for the better if he didn’t know.