The Core Of The Problem (February 2012)

Kate heard the door open and looked over to see Charles and Isabella enter the room. Isabella looked worried and tired. Isabella walked over to look at her daughter and was glad to hear that Serena had not hurt anyone during this latest episode.

“Charles has discovered that there is a connection between Nyx and Serena. Charles is reluctant to sever the connection without knowing more about Nyx and what she’s after. However, he thinks he can subdue the effects Serena is feeling that is contributing to these episodes.”

Kate rubbed her arms as Isabella spoke. Talk about Nyx, a god no less, made her feel a sudden chill in the room. Charles closed his eyes as he began peering into Serena’s mind, delving deep into her subconscious. He found Nyx and she saw him.

“Who are you?” She asked. Here Charles could stand as if his legs worked. Be gone with you, this is my domain. This child’s mind belongs to me,” She said with an arrogant cast to her words. “No, it does not belong to you, why are you here? In Serena’s mind?’ He asked and Nyx attacked him.

Isabella saw Charles’s head duck and he groaned. Kate goggled in worry at that. “What’s happening to him?” She asked.

Nyx bathed Charles in a violet light that began to eat at his flesh like acid but Charles did not accept it as real and the illusion faded. “You’ll have to do a lot better than that Nyx. In fact I think it’s time to put you in a box,” He said. Nyx laughed. “You are NOTHING! Human, bow to me or die!” She threatened. Charles just frowned as a small, wooden box suddenly appeared in his hands. “This is your new home Nyx, the only place that you will be safe,” He said. Nyx laughed again but her mirth was cut short as a white light shined down upon her. She lifted up her arm to shield her face that began to smoke and smoulder. She screamed in pain as the light burned her. The light spurned her toward the box. It forced her back step by step until she had no choice but to flee into the box. Charles closed the box and locked it with a lock made out of pure, white light. He set the box down then began to walk away from it.

Charles head suddenly came up as if he had suddenly woke up. He looked around and then sighed. “She’s contained, Serena is free of her for now,” He said and then removed the necklace.

Isabella was relieved to know that Charles had been able to contain Nyx within Serena's mind. It was a temporary solution until a more permanent solution could be figured out, but it would at least allow Serena some level of peace where that was concerned for the time being. She wanted to stay until Serena woke up, but that could be hours and she and Kate needed to get back to the Tower. Kate also convinced Isabella that it would probably be better for Serena if they just slipped out. Isabella would go back to the Tower and pack up some of Serena's things and send them to the mansion. It was her birthday the following week and Isabella told Charles that she and at least Tony would come by to see her then.

It was difficult for her to leave. She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed and lightly brushed back some hair from her face and caressed her cheek. She then leaned down and softly kissed her forehead before whispering in her ear that she loved her. She stole one more glance at her only child before Kate led her out and to the car.