The mists rose silently from the sea, gathering themselves into a blanket of whiteness that shrouded the Holy Isle from eyes that were not meant to see.

Seated on the cromlech inside the circle of standing stones at the summit of the isle, Brighid sighed and set the large glowing crystal aside. It had not told her anything that she did not already know.

"What bothers you, my love?"

The Goddess turned toward her consort. "My demonic grandfather is reaping havoc in the world again, Bres. Instilling seeds of hate into the hearts of radical zealots was not enough. He has managed to slip the Inner Knowledge that the mortals call Science into the hands of unstable governments."

Bres laid a hand on her shoulder. "Balor has instigated jihad into Muslims, Jews and Christians alike for centuries. The humans have always survived."

"But humanity did not have the means for mass destruction in past centuries. They do now. One wrong decision and they could annihilate themselves. Totally."

"But Balor will not let that happen," Bres said reasonably as his hands began to massage the diety's shoulders. "If he were to lift the patch from his evil eye and destroy the world, what would he have left to play with?"

She closed her eyes for a brief moment to enjoy her lover's touch. "You forget, my dear, that these mortals are no longer controllable by us. Once hate and rage have lodged in their hearts, even Balor might not be able to stop what happens. Evil feeds upon itself." She picked up the crystal and moved her hand across it to clear away the fog and peered inside. "Why can I not find my brother? He is our only hope to capture Balor and bring him to justice. It is written that only his grandson, whom Balor thinks dead, can kill him.

"You know that when Lugh gave up his divinity to pursue Balor into the Dark Ages, he would be difficult to locate amidst the swarm of mortals. Donning the Templar mantle in the 1100's only put another barrier between him and us."

"You know why he had to do that," she answered, "to live in the mortal world, he had to assume human form and their minds cannot fully understand Truth. The Templars were the closest to it. But Lugh retained his ability to shift and I can not find him in his animal form either. I have always been able to contact the wolf before."

Bres frowned. "And drawing the beast out weakens him. How often can he afford to do that if he is to win the battle with Balor?"

Brighid raised her head and gazed into the lapis blue of the heavens above the vapory veil that surrounded them. "But I must do it this once. The lost Hallows of the Tuatha de Danann need to be found and reunited by us. Combined, the powers of the spear, sword, dish, and chalice are unstoppable. If Balor finds them first, I shudder to think what horror and torment he would inflict on mortals ... for you are right, Bres. He would not annihilate the world on his own. He enjoys inflicting pain too much. He would bring mortals to the edge of death and make them plead with him to be allowed to die and then he would use the chalice to bring them back and begin again. Lugh must be the one to find the relics. He must."

"Aye. The spear that will always fly true and the sword that no man can escape make mighty weapons even in these modern times." Bres smiled. "Just imagine what those military leaders in their armored tanks would do to see a medieval knight advancing upon them?"

The Goddess did not return his smile. "No doubt they would shoot him."

"Ah, yes, they will try. But Lugh--Lucas to this world--is still immortal. And the chalice will heal any wounds. Perhaps the sight of that alone will be enough to make warmongers lay down their weapons and share in the dish of peace."

"Ah, peace." Brighid sighed again. "What was it that the mortal, John Lennon, said years ago? "Imagine ... a world free of violence and bloodshed. The Hallows could do that. But," she added, "Lugh will not be able to do it alone. The masculine aspect of the spear and sword and the feminine powers of the Hallows of the chalice and dish must be balanced. He will need the help of a woman."

Bres arched an eyebrow. "A mortal woman?"

Brighid nodded and ran her hand across the crystal again and handed it to him. "Look inside."

He took the rock. Deep inside the vibrations an image formed of a young woman with long black hair and deep blue eyes standing inside a pentacle. His eyebrow climbed higher. "A witch?" he asked with a grin.

Brighid snatched the crystal back, somewhat annoyed. "She is of our ancient Bloodline, although she does not yet know what full powers she possesses. At this point she sees only the faeries and elementals."

"They are a fine lot to battle the forces of evil with," Bres said sardonically. "Half the time, they are in the middle of those muddles, having a grand time. I doubt that Lugh will need their help."

"Mayhap not, but the witch is attuned to them. And the elementals respond in kind to how they are treated. They can be formidable. Her light is white--untainted--and she has several close friends who also have special gifts that will help in this war. Lugh will need her."

A corner of Bres' mouth lifted in a slight smile. "Assuming, of course, that this witch will not have a problem believing that our Lugh is immortal and on the "right side" even if he is sometimes a wolf?"

"My brother can be most persuasive. Most women love him."

Bres grinned. "Aye. Lugh has never had a problem seducing a female into his bed." Then he sobered. "But you know as well as I that the witch's power cannot be enticed from her. It must be given freely and in light of Truth or it will recoil onto the taker."

Brighid set the crystal down and stood. "Come with me, then." She walked to the center of the stone circle and raised her hands. "Let us see how this story unfolds."

And the mists parted below them, exposing the human world.