THE 33 KEYS: Key 2 - ANSWER THE CALL "Listen for that Perfect Beat"

CHAPTER 7: ENLIGHTEN THEM ALL

"Yes," Xaxu replies. "Now tell us, what do you think we should do about the humans?"

"Show them our true form. Dine with them."

"What!" Fantum explodes. "Okay, this charade is over. Let's just kill them all! Right now!"

"Everyone needs to settle down," Xaxu says. "Mira, what the hell!"

"I meant that we should show them what the future holds for them. Show them who they really are, who they can be if they turn their backs on the illusion."

"You mean appear here, there and everywhere, creating mayhem wherever we go? That's absurd!"

"Not just appearances," Mira explains. "Real communication. Become their friends."

"Form friendships with lowly humans?" Fantum screams. "Not on my watch."

"You'll do as you're told!" Xaxu says then turns to Mira again. "Your idea is too dangerous."

"But it's the most perfect of all the plans."

"Remember, we can't ever risk El finding us."

"I know that. But it's the perfect plan to seek the children out."

"How are we going to do it without alerting El that something is up?"

"Jarka just told you. We embrace certain humans; have them spread our message far and wide," Mira explains. "And somewhere along the line the children will hear and snap out of their coma."

"Xaxu, you have to admit her plan's starting to sound better," Qira says. "Jarka? Thoughts?"

"I agree to anything that can lead to their awakening." Jarka turns to Xaxu. "As ethically as possible, of course. Time is of the essence, so to speak."

"Raea?" Qira asks.

"It sort of sounds good."

"Fejj?"

"I prefer my plan. But if we can all agree and get this over with, more power to us."

"Suke?"

"Beats draining ourselves to death."

"Xaxu?" Suke says.

"Still don't like it but I'll do it if Kat agrees." Then Xaxu turns to Fantum with disdain. "It's your turn to speak. Just don't crowd the air with your poison."

"Ask me the question."

"You already know the question."

"Ask me it anyway. I've always been a formal kind of girl."

"You're not a girl. But all right, Fantum," Xaxu sighs. "What shall we do about the humans?"

"Kill them all!" Fantum reiterates. "And do it now before they cause further damage."

"No!" Kat intervenes. "That's not who we are. We have a responsibility."

"A responsibility," Fantum mocks her. "That's all we ever hear from you. Meanwhile, our footsteps are getting smaller each day. I say we've given them enough time. It's either them or us! This council must decide today. Them or us?"

"Kat," Xaxu chimes in, "ignore her. Killing the humans off is not an option."

"I agree. As bad as they are, none of them deserves the black wand of death."

"Even so, we can't just let them keep sucking us dry until we're nothing," Xaxu admits.

"Of course not."

"Then do you agree with Mira and Jarka? Do we befriend humans to spread our message?"

"Mother made it clear. They should all make the call. No one should prompt them."

"I agree with Kat," Xaxu announces. "Let's all respect Mother's wishes."

"Besides! Don't forget that we're all one," Kat reminds her sisters. "If we're agitated about the wait, no doubt they'll be too."

"Nonsense!" Fantum barges in. "They're way beneath the likes of us."

"None is above or below the other," Xaxu corrects her. "The lines of separation are thin."

"Then answer me this," Fantum says. "Who has the power to judge or erase flesh and blood?"

"Certainly not you," Xaxu says simply, "and you know it."

Now Qira, the red witch, decides to slide into the banter.

"Kat, you need to make one thing clear, though."

"What's that?"

"How do we keep them from sucking us dry before Mother returns?"

"Recently, I've been making the humans a study. And not all of them deserve death."

"I certainly beg to differ," Fantum says. "But have at it with your optimistic crap."