We are

Before Grant had the chance to ask Maximus another question, he suddenly felt a force pulling him from behind.

The force was irresistible no matter how hard Grant tried to remain behind.

He had so many questions he needed answered!

Why did Maximus only tell him about these things when he was near death?

Why couldn't he discuss them openly during training? Was it because... Sherlock was capable of hearing and seeing anything that Grant does at all times?

That made sense.. but why could Grant see Maximus in his deep consciousness but not Sherlock?

Was it because Sherlock wasn't truly integrated with Grant but only through The Path were they connected?

Does that mean the Path could be removed or disconnected from an idividual?

It was at that moment, Grant felt a pain so strong, that he suddenly began to scream and writhe around in pain.

But it was also that pain that made him realize, he was back in the world of the living.

He slowly opened his eyes and was suddenly assaulted by a golden light that made him shut his eyes immediately.

As he slowly opened them, squinting, in an attempt to adjust to the light, he saw a small blue person leaned over him, looking down at him with concern.

It was then that Grant realized she was actually trying to talk too him. He could see her mouth moving, but it only sounded like a small buzzing sound in his ears.

As the pain in his head subsided though, he could finally hear what she was saying.

"Are you okay?! You shouldn't experience pain inside the Cocoon of Light! But you were obviously in an intense amount of pain for a moment there! How is that possible?!"

Rather than answer immediately, Grant began to feel all around his body for any lingering holes.

He vividly remembered looking down and seeing the tip of the dagger sticking through his armor.

After feeling himself up for a few seconds, he breathed a sigh of relief when he realized it was only the normal holes that existed and no new ones.

He didn't want to be the real life embodiment of the phrase, tear you a new one.

Seeing Phoenix and feeling their bond, Grant was even more relieved.

The fact that his partner was there and the little girl leaning over him hadn't killed him, that meant that she was most likely not an immediate threat.

Of course, why would she have saved him if she planned on killing him, but Grant wasn't exactly thinking straight with all the recent information and near death experiences.

Grant also looked around trying to find the mini hulk, but no matter where he looked he was unable to locate the guy.

Amelia, having seen many people recover from near death experiences knew that each person handled the situation differently so she allowed Grant to go through the experience in his own way.

When Grant finally calmed down and seemed to accept the situation he was in, Amelia spoke again.

"I apologize for my brother. He is quite an idiot. I know you may not be able to forgive him, but I promise you that me and my family did not come to this planet to cause trouble.

My name is Amelia and my brothers name is Loki."

When she finished introducing herself, she dispelled the Cocoon to allow Grant to finally move freely again.

Grant immediately jumped to his feet and took a few steps back. He was amazed that he felt absolutely zero pain from where he had been wounded and he even felt slightly better than he did before!

Still cautious, Grant introduced himself and Phoenix to Amelia. He explained their situation briefly, but didn't go into any detail as far as the dungeon or any other humans living in the area or at least the humans he himself knew about.

As the two of them exchanged pleasantries and a vague account of each of their stories, Grant suddenly sensed movement to his side.

Standing a few feet from where him and Amelia were, were suddenly three more individuals that looked strikingly similar to Amelia aside from a noticeable difference in age in two of them.

The youngest looking one of the three suddenly shot a death glare towards Grant when their eyes met.

Grant wasn't sure why the younger guy was looking at him the way he was, but his question was quickly answered by Amelia.

"That is my brother Loki. The real him. What you fought was merely an illusion created using a skill from his Path. Again, I'm sorry he attacked you the way he did but he has some... issues that he is working on.

The other two are my parents; Arthur and Ziva."

When Loki was introduced by Amelia, he didn't move and continued to glare at Grant the same he had since they first locked eyes, but Arthur and Ziva took a step forward and both gave a short but courteous bow.

Arthur was the first to speak, "Hello young man. Amelia has told us what has happened and I would like to apologize for my son. I do hope you can overlook his transgressions."

Ziva didn't not speak but she gave a sympathetic look to Grant as if to ask him to consider Arthur's words.

Grant, caught up in the situation, also took a step forward and gave a short bow.

"My name is Grant, and your daughter has saved my life and that is the most important thing too me.

I must ask though, how were you three able to appear so suddenly? I didn't sense you coming at all."

Loki, still acting like a spoiled fire year old, simply scoffed and looked away, but Arthur laughed jovially

"You are an interesting human, you know that? Of all the things you could ask me, you want to know how we appeared without you noticing?

Well, sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is quite simple.

We are God's."

Grant looked confused, "God's of what? and who? Why are you on Earth if you are God's?"

Arthur's face visibly darkened at the final two questions, but he didn't let himself fly into a rage. Instead he looked at his wife, who had a sad and depressed look on her face.

"I do not have an answer to your first two questions... but the last question I can answer.

Because we have nowhere else to go."