It was always a bit disconcerting, seeing his own body lying at his feet.

Of course, that wasn't really the case.  It was never really his body.  His body was left behind long ago.  Still, after inhabiting a shell for an extended period of time, it was easy to start thinking of it as his own.

It had only been a few months since the accident, but Gideon still felt the same rush whenever he "jumped" into a new body.  It was like trying on an entirely new wardrobe.

He'd met the previous owner of the body he now wore only earlier today.  He was some religious freak who was trying to evangelize to him… some nonsense about the “Ninth Mystery”, whatever that was.  However, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to cause a bit of trouble.  Of course he usually limited his torment to the criminal element, but weren’t religious zealots almost as bad?

The plan had been for Gideon’s introduction to one of the evangelist’s friends.  Unfortunately, plans change.

Gideon guided his new form to the coffee house where the meeting was to occur.  It wasn’t long before he was recognized.

“Brother Anthony!” called the newcomer, “what happened to your new friend?”

Gideon didn’t hesitate.  The familiarity of strangers was no longer unnerving to him.  He settled into his new skin and got to work.  He had a cult to disrupt.

Gideon quickly scanned the mind of host body looking for the identity of this "friend". As he had learned in the past each host is a wealth of knowledge, ripe for the taking.

Putting on a smile and giving this guest a firm hand shake, he asked.

"Brother, do you have a few moments to spare and join me for a coffee"

And so it began. These cultest would soon learn.

Happy to see the person he believed to be his friend, "Anthony", the new arrival sat down to chat over coffee.

The being that now possessed Anthony's form reached out and easily worked his way into the mind of his new companion.  Gliding through a sea of thought, the entity called Ronin picked up some valuable flashes...

My name is Daniel Sornsen

I met Anthony through the Ninth Mystery, where we are learning about our true natures as beings of spirit and power

The teachings of the Ninth Mystery tell us that we all have untapped potential in us... that our goal is to attain this potential and become Gifted

This thought intrigued Gideon.  There were people who knew about "gifts" like his, and how they might be attained willingly?

Anthony was going to bring a new friend that he was going to introduce to the Ninth Mystery

The leader of the Ninth Mystery, Brother Ivory, is a man of great wisdom and power... power that fills you with awe just by being near him

What kind of power?  Was this "Brother Ivory" a being such as himself?  Was he Gifted?  Was he recruiting these fools to become Gifted?

It was becoming clear to Gideon that this wasn't just another bunch of alien-worshipping New Age wackos.  He was on to something...

Ronin enjoyed the coffee and atmosphere. As a spirit of sorts with no body of his own he enjoyed physical sensations. The taste of the coffee, the smells of the room. These are simple pleasures but very much unique and different with each body, filtered in a slightly different way through each persons senses. He also felt the cravings of the bodies he inhabited. In this case he could sense Anthony's need for a cigarette and reached into his pocket where he knew the cigarettes where kept along with the lighter. He went through the practiced familiar motions, for this body, of lighting one up  and enjoyed a long drag. The simple pleasures.

With his interest very much peeked, Ronin did a quick check to see if either of these two where "Gifted".

He would have to check into this "Brother Ivory". Ronin kept the conversation centered around the "Ninth Mystery" and tried to get all the info he could on both this mysterious organization and it"s leader.

He also scanned their mind's seeking the location and time of the next meeting and if either of these men know where "Brother Ivory" lived.

After finishing the coffee

Daniel I have to get going, so I'll see you at the next meeting. I hope our new friend shows up. He seemed a little uncertain though. The teachings of the Ninth Mystery are not for everyone.

Ronin left the coffee shop and headed down the street. As he moved away he searched the sky for a bird, after a few minutes he was rewarded with the sight of a crow sitting on a power line. Ronin took a seat on a park bench nearby and skillfully edited his host memories. He added the events at the coffee shop and made them as though they where his host's own. Then he focused on the crow.

In a quick motion his spirit self left one body and floated into the crow. Possessing an animal was very different, he took a moment to adjust to his new host. He reveled in the instincts of this primitive mind and the wind blowing through his feathers. He loved taking new and different bodies, each time the new sensations were always intoxicating.

Ronin-crow watched as Daniel came to this senses. For a few moments he seemed lost and disoriented, but soon got up and headed down the street. And with this Ronin-crow spread his wings and jumped off the power line and glided away.

I think I'll pay this  Brother Ivory's home or the Ninth Mystery headquarter a visit.

It was clear to Ronin's senses that these two were not Gifted.  Therefore, it was no great task for him to weave his way through their minds.  Most people had very little awareness of their own psyche, and lacked the will to fight off his intrusions.

However, while he was able to learn a bit about the Ninth Mystery, he discovered very little that was useful about its revered leader, Brother Ivory.  He was unable to get even a clear image of the man.  The mental pictures that the two cultists had of Ivory were inconsistent, almost if he was a fictitious character that each had imagined in his own way.  They clearly had no idea where their leader came from nor where he lived.

Ronin was successful in learning the location of the Ninth Mystery's facilities in the city... an old mansion in the lower eastside neighborhood.  He also learned that a big event was planned two nights from now, and that Brother Ivory would be presiding over it himself.

He didn't foresee gaining entrance to the building to be problematic.  It would be simple enough to borrow an appropriate acolyte's skin.  he wondered, though, just what kind of power Ivory possessed... and whether there were other beings of power in his company.

Enjoying his newly acquired body, Ronin-Crow flew over the city. The sensations of flight were exhilarating. His crow body flowing through the air with precision aan control. All the people and cars moving about the streets below him, each caught up in there own private world.

As he flew, Ronin let his mind touch some of the people he could see. Snatching glimpses into others thoughts, each mind so different. He has not yet become accustomed to his new gifts.

As he flew be became lost in his own thoughts. This Brother Ivory seems a big mystery. Maybe he truly knows about the gifted. I've been looking for others for long time now. What has and will happen to me. Let's hope he has answers or can at least point me in the right direction. I'll have to approach this cautiously!

Suspended in the air he formulated his plan. He would go to the old mansion in the east side to watch and listen. He had two days to sort things out before the meeting. As a crow he can sit on a near by tree and watch through a window while ease dropping telepathically. Ronin-crow would try to find a perch that gave the best strategic view to watch the action.

In the crow's body, traveling to the Ninth Mystery's facility was simple enough.  It was located in a quiet residential neighborhood, nestled among the homes and apartment buildings.  The mansion itself was a large, beautifully maintained four-story building.  There was very little to indicate its purpose other than a plaque on the door: The Center for Advanced Human Condition.

Ronin-crow watched the entrance for some time and then looked for food. Although the selections his crow instincts guided him to do not seem very appealing, to his crow palette they tasted like a fine meal.

Ronin spent time watching the mansion, paying close attention to the people entering and leaving the building.  During the daylight hours, the facility received an irregular stream of visitors.  They all looked quite ordinary, and Ronin could imagine them inside the mansion, taking part in "encounter groups" and "exploring their inner selves".  It was enough to make him want to retch.

He was quite confident that everyone he had observed was human, and any of them would have made an adequate host.  None of them had that familiar, disturbing presence of the Gifted.  He did feel intermittent sensations of Gifted inside the building, but from his perch it was impossible to tell how many there might be or where they might be located.  Despite hours of observation, he never saw any Gifted enter or leave the building.

His reconnaissance flights had revealed little.

Not surprisingly, the windows were all covered with thick shades.  Religious organizations typically avoided unnecessary scrutiny by outsiders.  The doors in the back and on the roof appeared to be barred shut.  Clearly, the owners wanted no one entering or leaving except through the front door.

Ronin patiently watched and scanned the minds of those coming out. He sifted through their thoughts for the knowledge of what they did while in the building and the layout of this mansion.

When he was confident he had acquired as much as he could, it was time to put this plan into action.

Ronin waited, perched on a branch in the parking area. Once a good host arrived, someone traveling alone he abandoned his crow's body and flew into his new host. He had timed it so the new host was still in his car.

To be back in a human host was welcome. Ronin then spent a few moments adjusting to the new form. He adjusted his hosts memories of the last few seconds. Although his possession of the body had gone smooth and his host hardly noticed, he didn't take any chances. He removed those memories of the slight headache he felt for a moment, unsure of it's source. That had been the extent the disruption his possession had caused. Ronin then scanned his hosts mind for information about him and what he was doing here.

All was going well. Ronin's plan was going perfectly. He would skin ride this new body, simply traveling along, without influencing his actions. Sharing his senses and thoughts. Sharing his new body, Ronin mentally sat back to enjoy the ride. If he felt the need he would take the helm.

From his vantage point, the Ronin found it difficult to get a detailed read of the thoughts of the people coming and going.  They were all just too busy, and their surface thoughts too cluttered, to get much of value.

No doubt about it.  He would have to do this up close and personal.

He slid into the new host easily, and set to work sifting through the man's psyche.  His name was Alex, and he was relatively new to the Ninth Mystery.  Alex had been going through bad times... divorced, out of work, depressed and drinking.  Someone at his substance abuse group had introduced him to the Ninth Mystery, and it had appealed to him with its promise of maximizing his potential.  He came to the mansion weekly to attend a seminar and meditation session.

He had yet to attend one of the group's big ceremonies, and he was looking forward to tomorrow night's event with great anticipation.  He knew little about the group's organization, and nothing at all about the famed Brother Ivory.

At this point, the Ronin decided to let his host have the reins once again.  He would sequester himself inside a little corner of Alex's mind and see where the man would take him.  This would be his first opportunity to get inside the mansion.

As his host walked toward the building, he noticed a strange sensation... a disturbing feeling that he was being watched.  In his current state, without active control of his host, he was unable to focus on the sensation's source before it was right behind him and placing a hand on Alex's shoulder.

"Excuse me, but I think you and I should have a little talk."

Alex turned around a bit startled.

"Oh, hello is there a problem"

The host turned to find a strange young woman standing before him.  She was dressed in black, from her silk shirt to her leather pants and combat boots, and covered with a heavy trenchcoat.  Her head was shaved, and she had numerous facial piercings.

She addressed the Ronin's host body casually.

"I noticed that you were heading into that place... the Ninth Mystery.  Are you a member?  I've been reading about them.  Could you spare the time to tell me about them over some coffee?"

Alex was taken aback, but it wasn't often that he was approached by a woman... even one as odd as this.  He quickly agreed.

Alex, however, was completely unaware of another conversation that had been occurring.

As the woman spoke to him, her eyes searched beyond his face.  The Ronin felt like she was staring directly at him as he huddled in a small corner of Alex's mind.  He heard another voice... quite different from the one speaking to the host.

"You can't hide from me in there.  It's you and I who need to talk."

Ronin was shocked!

This was a very unusual turn of events. He had never before been outed in this way. In the past there had been "psychics" that could see his spirit when it was free floating, but while in a host never. Even more unlikely while skin riding. Who was this person?

Still recovering from the surprise and in an uncertain telepathic voice, Ronin asked.

"Who are you?

The woman sat down with Alex and proceeded to talk with him over coffee, seemingly quite sincere as she asked him about the Ninth Mystery and what it had done for him.  Her manner was friendly with a hint of vulnerability, suggesting that she was seeking answers in her life and hoped that Alex could help her find them.

It was quite a striking difference from the voice that spoke to the Ronin, which was confident and deadly serious.  She seemed to have no difficulty carrying on the two conversations almost simultaneously.

"You may call me Sliver.

"You've been watching that mansion for more than a day now.  Using that crow as a host was a nice trick.  It would have thrown off even most other Gifted.

"I assumed that when you took over this body, it meant you were making a move to enter the Ninth Mystery."

Through his host's eyes the Ronin could see her smile slightly at something Alex said and sip her coffee, but in his mind he felt her staring at him intently.

"I want to know what you're doing here."

Ronin was very intrigued by this mysterious woman, he had never meet another Gifted before. At last to meet another like himself. To imagine the possibility the he was not alone in this world.

Ronin lost all interest in Alex, he could care less what this idiot rattled on about. This  women was another story. Was she to be trusted though?

"You can call me Ronin."

"It seems you've been watching me."

"We'll it's simple really, I heard about the Nith Mystery and Brother Ivory so I came here to find out what's really going on."

"I was about to go in and check the place out."

"Now how about you tell me what you are doing here?"

The Ronin could feel the woman's stare bore into him even as her eyes wandered around the room while she spoke to Alex.

"You're telling me that you have no idea of what you're about to walk into?  You're not here under anyone's direction?

"I can't decide whether that means you're incredibly bold... or incredibly foolish."

She paused for a moment, considering this new information.  In his mind, the Ronin could see her give a slightly wicked smile.

"Or perhaps you just thrive on risk and chaos, hm?

"I have to admit, you have a rather intriguing advantage.  When you tuck yourself away inside someone's head like that, you don't radiate the same presence that other Gifted do.  I doubt that anyone without particularly strong psychic talents would be able to spot you unless you took full control of that body.

"That trick with the bird, though... that's what tipped you off to me.  You just don't expect to pick up surface thoughts from a crow."

She appeared to have completely ignored the Ronin's question for the moment, and pressed him further.

"So assuming that you got inside that place, just what kind of trouble did you plan on causing?"

Ronin was very annoyed with this women. He didn't respond well to authority before and it's only gotten worse since his body's death.

"I'm surprised you picked-up any thoughts off the crow, my shields should be better than that. If anything, i was expecting the lack of thoughts to give me away. I'll have to work on that."

Ronin refocused his mental shields to prevent any further reading of his surface thoughts. Making his mind like an iron fortress with the draw bridge yanked shut.

Then he gave this women a mental unblinking stare.

"As for my intentions, well that's none of your business. I don't know you and I don't respond well to this third degree or bitchy attitude."

"You want any more answers from me, you'll first have to provide some yourself."

"Now, who the fuck are you and what's your involvement with the Nith Mystery?"

In the Ronin's mind's eye, the strange woman's eyes narrowed and that wicked smile left her face.

"Ah, the inevitable posturing that occurs when beings like us meet.  It's gratifyingly predictable, if nothing else.

"The truth is that you have no idea what you plan to do when you get inside that place, do you?"

Her tone suggested that this was a rhetorical question.  She seemed to completely ignore the Ronin's demand for information.

"Now, if you'd like to calm down for a moment we might be able to discuss how we could be of assistance to each other.  If not, you're free to go and take your chances."

The smile returned to her face as she sat back in her chair and sipped her coffee.

Ronin's annoyance faded away. He was much more curious than upset. He could not let this chance get away.

Mentally sitting back and shrugging.

"I'm listening, what exactly are you proposing Sliver?"

"That's better.  It's always good to get past the initial distrust and antagonism and talk business."

She spoke with a cool satisfaction that suggested she had extensive experience in such negotiations.

"You have, no doubt, come to the conclusion that I am like you... Gifted.  I suspect that you are relatively new to this existence and haven't had much contact with others, although I'm sure you've noticed their presence in the shadows.

"You'll find that there are many like us, more than you'd believe.  The Gifted tend to avoid human society for the most part.  We have our own culture, our own rules, our own organizations and centers of power.

"You might say that I am a representative of one such organization."

Her mental expression made it clear that she was unwilling to say any more than that about herself.

"I have specific interests in what is going on within this group called the Ninth Mystery.  No doubt you are here because you've heard of some connection between this religion and the Gifted.

"You are correct.  Brother Ivory is Gifted.  He has a few Gifted operatives in his employ, but the religion itself seems to be made up of humans.

"The people I work for are very curious about what Ivory is up to.  Unfortunately, infiltrating his organization presents certain difficulties.  Being Gifted, I would instantly stand out among the human followers.  And while it would be a simple matter for me to establish a mind link with one of those followers, I doubt very much that the humans have access to Ivory's secrets.

"However, your appearance may provide us with a most interesting opportunity.  You are Gifted, but you are able to hide your presence when you're not controlling your host.  You could penetrate Ivory's organization like few others.

"Unfortunately, alone you wouldn't last long.  This is where I can help you.  If you would agree to establishing a link, I could monitor your progress even if you switch hosts.  I could provide you with information that might keep you alive in there long enough to discover Ivory's greatest secrets.

"I help you, you help me.  It's that simple."

Ronin listened intently and was very impressed by this woman.

Once she had finished speaking, he responded.

"Hum very interesting. I've travelled a bit and have not come across any other gifted, so I've very much intrigued by Gifted culture and organizations."

He paused, giving her a chance to expand on this subject. When she didn't he continued.

"We'll have too discuss this further later."

Ronin could sense his host getting impatient, looking at his watch. If he was delayed any longer he'd be late for the meeting. Alex smiled at the woman, he was very taken with her. Being single, he was hoping he can get somewhere with her after the meeting. Alex suggests.

"I really have to get going, why don't you join me? The Nith Mystery always has it's door open to new guests. Come along and find out more about it directly and after maybe we can go to dinner together?"

Ronin telepathically spoke to Sliver.

"Well our time has run out, Alex here is starting to run late and he should get going."

"I'm willing to establish a link, but if I fell you prying into my mind I will close the link. You can only have access to my surface thoughts, no more!"

"Are we agreed? If not, goodbye."

The Ronin could sense the woman smile at him with her mind.  It was a smile suggesting that she was quite satisfied that they had reached an agreement.

"The terms are acceptable and I believe we have a deal.  I will establish a link with you that will let me see through your senses and communicate with you.  You can call it a sliver of my essense.  This is my particular talent."

The Ronin could sense the psychic power grow in her.  To him it was an almost tanglible thing... a smoke-like tendril that reached out from her and connected the two of them momentarily.  Of course, Alex could sense none of this other than a slight tingle at the base of his neck.  The Ronin sensed the woman's presence brush past his mind and then there was nothing.

When he heard her voice again, it seemed to be much closer.

"Alright, the link is established.  I can see through your senses and you can hear me.  I will also be able to hear any thoughts you direct to me.  You can be assured that your own psychic abilities would sense if I tried to probe more deeply."

With that, she stepped up from the table and made a polite excuse to Alex suggesting that she was late for another appointment, but was very appreciative of his time.  She suggested that she would follow up with him to learn more and asked for his phone number.  Alex quickly, if awkwardly, obliged and wacthed as she exited the cafe.

The poor man had absolutely no idea of the deal that had been made within his own mind.

With the "Sliver" attached to himself Ronin couldn't help but ask.

"If you can created these subtle connection with a person why do you need me? You should have been able to do this long ago on your one.

Alex got up, a little disappointed, and headed out. He'd have to rush now if he didn't want to be late.

The Ronin heard the woman respond to his question over the link they now shared.

"As I said before, my Gifted nature prevents me from posing as one of the human followers.  I wouldn't be able to get past the entry hall before I was sensed and confronted by Ivory's minions.

"I've already left slivers in some of the humans, but they haven't provided me with much useful information.  They have only limited access to the public areas of the building.  They can't get me to Ivory's secrets.

"You can get where they can't.  As long as you ride in the back of your host's mind, they won't sense you as being Gifted.  This gets you inside.  Once the opportunity presents itself, you'll be able to use your powers to penetrate further."

The Ronin listened as his host crossed the street and up the stairs to the mansion.  Alex greeted a couple of fellow acolytes as they walked out, and then he entered the building.  The door opened to an elaborate entry hall.  To each side, a wide staircase led up to the floor above.

Sliver offered comment over their link.

"Those stairs lead to the second floor and the main meeting hall.  That's where tonight's ceremony will be held.  I have been unable to find access to the top floor.  It's forbidden for the humans."

Alex walked forward through the first floor hallway and turned left into a large conference room.  A group was already in the midst of a discussion, and Alex offered an apology for his lateness as he sat down.

The Ronin was forced to sit there in the corner of Alex's mind and endure nearly two hours of mind-numbing psychobabble.  When the session concluded and the participants rose to leave, the instructor asked Alex to stay for a moment.  Evidently, he was curious about Alex's tardiness and wanted to make sure everything was alright.  Alex explained about his meeting with the strange woman who expressed interest in the faith.

The Ronin heard Sliver's forceful voice.

"This is your chance.  The teacher can get you further inside."

Ronin was not accustomed to taking orders, although he did have to agree with Slivers assessment of the situation. This teacher would get him to the next level. Further into this complex.

He'd have to do this possession carefully, try to slip into the new host without interfering with his actions at allow him to hide in his mind once again. Just a ghost moving from one body to another.

Ronin moved through the mind of Alex to the surface where he would be able to possesses the teacher without interference, taking control of Alex for only a split second. Ronin activated his powers, tried to force his will on the instructor. Force his way in, fortunately his abilities where very subtle, his targets had little understanding of what is happening until too late. He could try repeatedly until successfully.

Once he had a hold of the instructor's mind he released his hold on Alex and flew across the space separating the two of them. In a blink of and eye he was in, a new home. Once into the instructors mind he hid and scanned his surface thoughts.

Had he been noticed? If so he would have to take steps to minimize the damage.

The Ronin overcame the instructor's mental barriers with little effort, and found a nice comfortable little corner in which to settle.  There was a moment of awkwardness as the old and new hosts shuddered simultaneously, but they immediately disregarded the strange sensation.

Finding his composure, the teacher excused Alex as he had to prepare for the next workshop.  David (the Ronin had heard his new host referred to by this name during the class) gathered his books and walked toward the door.  However, just as he was about to grasp the knob, the door swung open.

The Ronin immediately sensed the power emanating from the figure at the door.  he was Gifted!

The stranger stood there for a moment, his eyes scanning the room.  He was a thin man, but muscular.  It seemed like every muscle in his body was in a constant state of tension.  His movements were abrupt and rapid, like a bird's.

His eyes settled on the Ronin's new host and examined him.  The Ronin could sense that David felt great unease in this being's presence, and he spoke nervously.

"Brother Severus... um, may I help you with something?"

The stranger ignored him for a moment and continued to eye him warily.  He then spoke in a low, rasping voice.

"Hmmmm no.  I don't believe you can.  I was passing through the hall when I felt... something.

"It's nothing.  Go on your way."

The host didn't need to be told twice.  He skirted past the other and turned down the hall, heading to the back offices.  He reached his desk, sat down, and let out a slight gasp... as if he had been holding his breath during the entire exchange.

Once more the Ronin heard Sliver's voice.

"You see?  They can't see you in there."

Very interesting! So do you know anything about this Severus?

Ronin settled into David's mind keeping himself well hidden. While staying in his hidden state he reached out into David to scan his thoughts and learn all he new about the Gifted and Severus.

David was a weak willed fool, all his secrets would mine, Ronin thought.

Rooting through his host's mind, the Ronin was only able to find out limited information about the man called Brother Severus.  David found the man to be unnerving and avoided contact with him whenever possible.  However, Severus was part of Brother Ivory's inner circle and therefore demanded a great level of respect.

Those members of the inner circle were individuals who had attained the highest goal of the Ninth Mystery: Advancement.

The voice of Sliver intruded.

"Yes, apparently Ivory has built a mythology around the triggering of Gifts.  I've gathered this much from my own reconnaissance.  These fools have been told that if they say their prayers and floss twice a day they can become Gifted.

"This is a complete falsehood, of course.  Ivory and Severus are certainly Gifted, but Gifts can't be attained by just anyone.  Believe me, people have been studying this for centuries.

"So, what are Ivory and his crew doing?  Do they really believe they've found a way to 'advancement'... or is it just a facade?"

As this interchange occurred, the Ronin's host was busy at his desk, making notes for an afternoon lecture.  He was interrupted several times by other followers who were working on preparations for the evening's ceremony.

It sounded like it was going to be quite an event.

As the day turned to evening, the Ronin's host busied himself with preparations for the ceremony.  At around 6:00 PM, he finished his assigned tasks and was able to grab a quick bite to eat from the kitchen before shutting down his computer and getting dressed in his formal robes.  As he opened the door to the hallway, he found his way blocked.

"Brother Severus!  Excuse me, I didn't see you."

Severus replied calmly.

"Yes, I see.  It's actually you that I came to find.  Brother Ivory would like to see you.  He believes that you are ready to assist with the ceremony."

The Ronin could sense his host's surprise and excitement.  This was considered a great honor in the order, one that was reserved for acolytes that had demonstrated great potential.

In his mind, the Ronin could hear Sliver, who was not as confident.

"Strange.  This could be true, and it could be a good opportunity to get inside, but it does seem a bit convenient.  Be wary."

The Ronin considered his choices.  Ride it out and see where it took him?  Take on Severus and blow his cover?  Or cut and run?

"Well Sliver, this will be very interesting. I get to meet Brother Ivory at last.

Ronin was excited. He had been very bored watching and experiencing David's mundane office duties.

So tell me Sliver is there any other support you can offer through this link. Or just info?

Do you know who Brother Ivory"s inner circle consists of?

"I have very little information about Ivory's inner circle.  We're aware of Severus, of course, from my earlier recon.  However, we know very little about him.  He has managed to cover his tracks well.  The others keep out of sight and are careful to keep their connections to Ivory quiet.  That is the very reason I'm here."

As Sliver spoke to the Ronin, his host followed Severus up the main stairs to the second floor and through the doors into the ceremony hall.  Several other acolytes were present, preparing for the evening's festivities.  They all took note of the pair and gave smiles as they walked by.  Obviously, David was about to be honored.

"As I said at the outset, our connection is limited to communication.  I can sense what you sense and will give you what information I can.

"We appear to be heading behind the stage.  I believe that this leads to the restricted areas of the building.  We're heading into places I haven't yet been able to penetrate."

The host followed Severus through the stage-side door and they entered the backstage area.  Severus walked straight to the corner of the building and pressed an elevator call button.  Moments later, the door opened.

"Please step in, Brother David.  This will take you upstairs to Brother Ivory's chambers."

The host stepped in and turned.  He saw Severus smile slightly as the doors closed.

As the elevator started to move, Sliver spoke with alarm.

"Something's very wrong.  We're going down!"

"We'll let's see this through. I don't want to panic and ruin and oppertunity."

Ronin hid himself inside David, making himself as small as possible... a ghost in the back of his mind.

Sliver expressed concern.

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

The elevator was indeed descending.  This fact was not lost of the Ronin's host, and he fidgeted with nervousness over the strange situation in which he found himself.

Slow as it seemed, the elevator couldn't have gone more than a couple floors down before it came to a rest.  That would mean it was some kind of basement.  As the descended, the Ronin could sense that they were approaching a being of power.

Even as the doors started opening, the host's body was thrust backward by two giant hands that reached in and grabbed him like a rag doll.  David began screaming uncontrollably.

Ronin was surprised by his opponent's brutal attack. This was not the reception he was after.

He slipped to the surface of David's mind then jumped to his opponent's mind and abandoned David's body for his new host,

The Ronin suddenly found his view reversed.  Instead of seeing a giant, he now looked upon David's panicked face.  His former host writhed against the powerful hold of the Ronin's new body.

The Ronin felt a surge of physical power unlike anything he had felt before.  His new body was immense, over eight feet in height and solid as rock.  "Rock" was the correct comparison, it seemed; the Ronin could see that the skin of his new host was thick and hard like stone.

Sliver sounded impressed.

"Not bad.  I can see that working with you was the right decision.  Now, where the hell are we?"

David's screaming continued.  As his former host screamed, the Ronin could faintly hear another cry echoing through the corridors behind him.

"Bring him close!  BRING HIM TO ME!"

"And what the hell was that?"

The Ronin, in control of Bloc, scanned the room as he turned around carrying the struggling David.

Thinking to himself, this just got vary interesting, I've never possessed a body like this before. The physical power is overwhelming. This will be fun! With his physical might and my mental shields we are a force to reckoned with.

The Ronin nearly toppled as he turned around.  The bulk of this new form was so different from a normal human body, and its limbs were so powerful, that he threw himself off-balance.  He managed to steady himself, and realized he would have to take things slowly for the moment until he got the feel for this new form.

Scanning his surroundings, the Ronin found himself in a small entryway.  Across from the elevator were two doors that looked like they might lead to stairwells.  To his right, a corridor extended into darkness.  He could see only a few yards down the corridor, but he noticed heavy metal doors on both sides.  Each door had a barred opening at about human eye level.

They were cells, and that strange shouting had been coming from one of them.

David continued his struggling and screaming, and Sliver spoke with exasperation.

"Could you shut him up, please?"

Ronin gently covered David's mouth with his massive hands, being careful to not hurt him. Then leaned over and looked into the cells.

With his former host temporarily muffled, the Ronin stumbled in his new form down the corridor a few steps and peered inside the first two cells.  He failed to see anything in the darkness of those rooms, but he felt the presence of a mind in one of them... and that familiar sensation of power.

The person being held here was Gifted.

As the Ronin stared into the cell, he noticed a shape shifting in the dark and the sound of chains rattling.

A deep, rasping voice echoed through the chamber from the shadows.

"Won't you come in?  Or are you afraid of what the dark might have in store for you?

Ronin smiled at the shadows and stood squarely in front of the cell, and peered into the darkness. Then he telepathicly spoke.

"I have nothing to fear from the darkness, let's see what secrets you have to offer."

Ronin sent out a telaphic prode into the shadows.

Red eyes glared from the darkness.  The Ronin's power was unsuspected… and unwelcome.  Mental tendrils lashed out from the being, wrestling with the ones trying to invade his mind.  A psychic duel ensued, invisible except to the Gifted locked in battle.

In the end, the stranger in the dark proved strong enough to fight off the Ronin's influence.

The rasping voice spoke once more.

“The only secrets spilled will be from your split skull, if you but open my door and come in.”

In his mind, the Ronin could hear Sliver.

"This one has power, and given his circumstances I doubt he has any love for Ivory.  He could be useful..."

Ronin was very impressed with this shadow.

Speaking to Sliver

I think you are right Silver.

Then sending his thoughts to the shadows

Your a fiesty one! I like your attitude.

Here's the deal my friend I'm not one of your guards, I'm just "borrowing" blok here for a bit to look around. I have no problem releasing you. If you like you can come along with me or wait in the cell until I get back. But I don't need you causing trouble and attracting attention right now, this is a quite poke about.

Ronin reached over and puts his massive hands on the cell door, giving it a shake and testing the lock.

The cell's occupant replied in a tone as chilling as ice.

"Very well.  Release me."  The stranger stepped out of the shadows and held out his shackled wrists.  "I can be quiet as well.  But you would still need to come in."

Ronin rummaged through Bloc's pockets searching for the keys.

As he did so he asked, in a very casual non-threatening voice.

So what should i call you? I'm Ronin

Once he found the key he opened the cell door and released his restraints.

What do you know about what's going on here?

The tattered stranger, released from his bonds, turned to the Ronin stepped within inches of him.

"The Haunt.  You may call me The Haunt, and I know I don’t like the look of you.  I also know that when you step outside of that body, I will bury it, plus two others.  But what of you?"

The Haunt turned toward the door and peered outside, and then looked back into the cell at the Ronin.

"I was taken here.  Why do you come in such an unappealing aspect?"

"I came in this form" indicating the restrained David.

"Let's chain this guy up in this cell and gag him."

After doing so, he spoke again.

"I heard of the Nth Mystery and Brother Ivory. I came here to discover the truth about these. What do you know?"

.

All words, pictures, characters, tiles and just about everything else was created by and is copyright Stephen Rice and Electric Comics, 1996

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