From Part 28- Illya chuckled, the sound deep in his throat, for that answer was heard above the approaching storm. "Now the fun begins!"

Part 29

The words sent a shiver down Napoleon's spine. True, Illya seemed to be in more command of himself than he had been since this ordeal had begun, but a part of him was wondering...wondering just how much of *his* Illya was left inside the body that stood so regally before him. There was an aura of power enveloping Illya and he seemed more...more substantial than his surroundings. But the more the power grew in him, the less he seemed like the Illya that Napoleon knew and loved...had loved so much only a few hours ago.

"Illya?" said Napoleon, almost in a whisper. "Are...are you still there?"

Illya or at least the being controlling Illya's body turned to face Napoleon. "The one you know as Illya is unharmed...for now." The Illya-entity held its hands up to his face. "It is indeed a fine vessel that has been chosen for me. I shall enjoy occupying it."

"And will you return it, *him* unharmed when you are finished?" asked Napoleon. He had an uneasy feeling about this entity. Just because something was on the side of the righteous, didn't mean that they'd be overly concerned about 'collateral damage'.

His fears weren't eased by the entity's next words.

"Once the enemy has been defeated, we shall have no further use of this vessel. You may do with it what you will. Any damage should be minimal."

"Wait a minute," said Napoleon, but the Illya-entity had turned and was walking away from him.

Napoleon hurried after him or it or whatever and grabbed its shoulder. "Hey, I wasn't fin..." There was a flash and Napoleon found himself slammed backwards to the ground. He lay there gasping for breath as the entity stood over him.

"Foolish mortal," it said. "You have no concept of the dangers that will be faced by each and every one of you. Before this night is over many may die. You and your friend could well be among them. This is not a battle that will be won by the faint hearted. Sacrifices will have to be made for the greater good. Before this night is over, you may have to choose between the life of your friend and the lives of the entire world. Are you strong enough to make that choice?"

Napoleon couldn't find an answer to that. There had been many occasions when he had chosen to put Illya's life before that of whatever mission he had been on. And he knew that Illya had made that same choice more than once as well. But the stakes had never been so high. How could he place Illya's life above that of millions...no, *billions* of other lives...but how could he *not* choose Illya? "I...I don't know," he said, so softly that he was sure only Lovecraft could hear it.

But the entity had sharper ears than he had expected. "It is not a choice that anyone should have to make," it said in a gentler tone that sounded more like Illya's. "But now I offer you a different choice. Say the word and I will send you to a place of safety...or at least a place that will be safer than this one, for should we fail, then in truth there is no place on this wide world that will be considered safe. You have struggled bravely against forces that are beyond your comprehension, but this need no longer be your battle."

Napoleon slowly pushed himself to his feet, "And Illya?" he said. "What about him?"

The entity shook Illya's head almost regretfully, "This vessel still has a major part to play. We cannot allow him to leave. But if it is in our power, we *will* restore him to you...afterwards. Choose now Mr. Solo, do you stay and fight, or leave and survive?"

Napoleon shook his head, "I've never left my partner behind before, and I don't intend to do it now. I'll fight by his side like I always do."

There was a flicker of a smile on Illya's lips before the entity spoke through them, "Somehow I am not surprised by your choice. Very well then, you will be a useful addition to our forces." The entity paused as if it was listening to something and then smiled. "We have a little time before there forces arrive...you and Illya may wish to spend it together..." It made a gesture and the holy fire faded quickly from Illya's eyes.

Illya stumbled and almost fell into Napoleon's arms, which wrapped around him as if they would never let him go. "You...you should have left when you had the chance," he said weakly.

"You think I'm gonna let you have all the fun?" said Napoleon, as he gently stroked the side of Illya's face. "I meant what I said. We'll stand together...just like we always do."

"Till death do us part?" Illya smiled wanly.

"Death cannot part us," said Napoleon. "You and I, we're bound together by bonds stronger than that. Whatever happens...no matter how bad things get, always remember that I love you." Pulling Illya closer to him, he kissed him softly on the lips. He could feel Illya's arms wrapping themselves around his waist as the younger man leaned in close to him.

All too soon though, he felt a shiver run through the younger man's body and when their lips parted, Napoleon could see that the fire was back in the Russian's eyes. When Illya's mouth opened, it was the voice of the entity that spoke. "Take your position Mr. Solo, Mr. Lovecraft. The enemy is drawing closer."

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