There he was again, walking up the long, straight staircase. At the top was a door, surrounded by people. He knew why they were there; they were all waiting for him to open it. Reaching the top, he slowly placed his hand on the door. The back of his hand pulsed briefly with light, and then the door swung open. Light, brighter than anything he could imagine streamed through the door, almost blinding him. He could see the source of the light, a huge, burning ball of fire--

"Shane! Shane, wake up!"

Shane woke up in one of the dark alleyways of Lower, pushing his friend's hands off of him. "What're you shaking me for?" he said, still half asleep.

"You were tossing and yelling in your sleep... were you having that same dream?"

"Did you find any food Wes?" Shane said, ignoring his question.

Smiling, Wesley pulled something from behind his back. "Sure did. Two fat, juicy rats."

"Great!" Shane said, reaching for his. "Where'd you find em?"

"Swiped em from gobbler. As much as he likes rat meat, you'd think he'd pay more attention," Wesley said as he bit into his rat.

Shane frowned slightly and held his rat out to Wesley, saying "Oh... well here, why don't you eat mine. I'm not really that hungry anywa--" when he was suddenly interrupted by his growling stomach.

"What? Oh come on, you're not gonna eat it because I stole it? I took it from a stupid goblin! That hardly counts as stealing... you've gotta eat something Shane," Wesley said with real concern in his eyes.

"I'll find something else. What are we doing today anyways?"

"We're taking a little trip," Wesley said, smiling, "down to Dark Lake."

later, marching through the abandoned mines

"Oof! I hate how dark it is in here! How come you never seem to trip over any rocks?"

"Because I'm not blind, like you," Shane smirked. "Really, I don't have much trouble at all seeing. I guess my eyes are just really good." Glancing around, Shane noted all the winding tunnels and corners that things could be lurking in. "Tell me why we're going to Dark Lake again, Wes? It seems kinda dangerous."

"Because," Wesley said, exasperated, "if we ever want to join the seekers, then we'll have to know our way around. I'd think you of all people would want to make sure you get in... your dreams, that birthmark on your hand, you--"

"Shh!" Shane, said, thinking that he had heard a scampering sound. Suddenly, an unnatural darkness fell over both boys. Shane immediately dropped to his stomach, his hands groping for a rock he could use to protect himself. He could hear Wesley calling his name, as well as several small creatures moving about. Finally, his hand found a rock. As he gripped it, the back of his hand suddenly pulsed with light and light began to spread out form the rock, dispelling the magical darkness. Shane jumped up in time to see several goblins shriek and flee away from the bright light.

"What on earth? How'd you do that?"

"I don't know Wes. Maybe an adventurer enchanted it and when I picked up the rock it activated... either way, we'd probably head back. Its obviously not safe down here."

Wesley gave him a sceptical look, and then conceded. "Fine, I guess you're right."

Shane fell in behind Wesley, dropping his rock. The light quickly dimmed.

Later, as they began to leave the abandoned mines, Wesley stopped abruptly.

"Shane, look! There's a light down this side-tunnel!"

"Wes, lets just leave it be, alright? We're almost out of here..." but Wesley had already took off racing down the tunnel. Following him, Shane suddenly fell back against a wall, his head throbbing with pain. "Wesley, come back!" he struggled to say. "There's something down this tunnel.... something horrible." He pulled himself up and limped down the tunnel, pain blurring his vision. As he came around a bend, he saw several huge dead creatures lying on the ground, surrounding a slain figure in the middle who was fully clad in black plate. The feeling of evil intensified, making it hard for Shane to stand. Then he noticed Wesley standing over a dagger which glowed with the dim light they had noticed from the tunnel.

"Shane, look at this! With the money we can get from selling this dagger, we'll have no problem getting the equipment we need to make it into the Seekers!"

As Wesley bent down to retrieve the dagger, Shane tried to choke out a warning, but the feeling of evil kept him from speaking. Wesley grabbed the dagger and held it up, smiling. Suddenly, his eyes went wide with fear, as he screamed and plunged the dagger into his own chest.

"Shane," he gasped, blood spraying from his mouth, "help-- me."

Shane leapt to his feet, forcing his way step-by-step through the evil waves which assaulted him. Reaching Wesley, he grasped the dagger. The back of his hand pulsed with light and he was thrown back against the wall of the cave, stunned.

"Shane..." Wesley gasped, "...please."

"I can't. I'm so sorry, but I can't." Looking down at himself, Shane began to scream. "What's wrong with me?? Why won't you let me help him?!"

Wesley slumped to the ground, falling backwards. As he gave his last breath, the dagger turned to dust and blew away.

Shane sat there, sobbing and cursing himself. After several hours, he rose up and carried his best friend's body back to Sanctuary.

Sitting at a table in the Seeker's hall while most people are busy elsewhere, a glass of spring water next to him, Shane takes out a small book and begins to write...

Funny how things have changed- what I've done, where I've been, what I've seen.

I hope Wes knows.

Probably best not to think too much about the past anymore. I could die today, and be happy, I think. I've pardoned my past mistakes, and found more than I thought I ever would here, in the only place I've ever known: Faith, friends, acceptance, purpose.... maybe even love.

Her- I would've died for her that day, I can remember thinking it. When we're given time together, its wonderful. Still, long as we're here, I think there will always be that doubt.

Lately, I've been feeling restless. Not just to explore- not even for the surface I've dreamed of. My blood is calling out to me, I think. I long to see Rebecca again. I've got so many things to tell her, to ask her. And I'll never forget the feeling of His presence. Samael helped me remember how blessed I am.

Samael- strange to meet another here. I feel surrounded by people who are half like me: Grey- my friend and fellow Seeker, Jastran- my........ Bern- growing up with me in Lower, Samael- sharing the blood of the heavens.

Funny how we're all so different.

Lost touch with Laramie. I'm not sure why.

I hate campaigning.

In his council office, occasionally reaching up to touch the skin surrounding his eyes, Shane writes...

I can't stop thinking about it- Loss.

What did they think they would teach me? I've lost plenty... family, friends.... now Jastran- even my Lord, for a while.

IS there something I'm not seeing? Don't see - didn't see?

I thought we would really kill them. So. Wrong. Stupid of me. Idiotic. I would've brought Bern along too.

Perhaps there's more- maybe the lesson is Lathander's.

I can't write anymore. These.... eyes... hurt.

Sitting at a table in the Seeker's Hall, sipping some spring water, Shane pulls out a small book. Flipping through the pages, he relives old memories and friendships, victories and nightmares. Finally, he comes to an empty page...

Anything done for the sake of Revenge leads to Loss. It is enough to Serve my Lord.

I have come full circle. When I was young, I knew that Salvation for Sanctuary - for the people of my Home - would come through reaching the Surface.

However, I have never fully dedicated myself to the Dream. Instead, I have tried many other things to save the city of my birth.

At first, I tried to face every Wrong head on. When I saw Evil, I placed myself against it. I soon learned that there are Evils which cannot be stopped by the Sword.

I next tried to Save those who had wandered from the Light. "Redemption is a greater Power than any Evil." And indeed it is. However, I found I was not always strong enough. And there are those who spurn Redemption and cling to Darkness.

I finally sought to bind down Evil with Law. To Map the mistakes of Men, and enforce Justice. However, when the Law is in the hands of Men it fails. We have not the Wisdom of the gods. And even if Law is successful, it cannot stand against War.

I am not willing to abandon these Battles to the forces of Darkness. However, in my heart, I have always known where Salvation lies for Sanctuary. The Surface.

The Morninglord has promised me that I will find it. I will continue to Stand against Darkness here, but Finally, and yet for the First Time, I dedicate myself wholly to finding The Way.

The Dream has returned to me. I reach out and swing wide the Door.