The creature known as a ziz-zee-zee approaches slowly on the ground, slithering around imaginary Lilchta's legs and exiting the chamber. Aurelia glances questioningly at her Cthulhu companion.

  "What do we need that thing for?"

  "A distraction," Lilchta says with confidence. "So I do not have to focus all of my energy on either one thing or the other. Uiowky hates the Ziz-zee-zee. He will keep his distance. Come on. Let's go."

  -

  -

  Captain Hilyard follows Zifawid Lilchta, the real Zifawid Lilchta, very closely. She stumbles in the darkness, attempting to avoid the numerous piles of rusted girgogh parts which litter almost every inch of the cavern floor. Lilchta has so far refrained from saying a single word, concentrating on his spells with undivided attention.

  Aurelia makes it a point to pass the novice sorcerer up. She speaks to him over one shoulder, glancing forward from time to time.

  "So what happens once we get out of the cave? You said you were going to destroy that Wispyri queen once we got out of the chamber? Has the plan changed, Zifawid Lilchta?"

  "No."

  "No? Than what gives? Why haven't you destroyed her yet? I'm waiting to witness more of your wonderful magic. Or...Are you only good at getting in women's heads?"

  Lilchta stops on a dime. He folds both arms behind his back in a sign of extreme impatience.

  "I'd say...I'm better at considerably more than that."

  "Oh really?" Aurelia questions, folding both arms across her chest.

  "Really," Lilchta calmly responds, tilting his head slightly to one side and studying Aurelia.

  "Like what?" Captain Hilyard challenges her Cthulhu companion, frustration building in her own breast. "The spider robot queen is still very alive. That Zigga-zee-za thing is still alive. And we're still in this freaking cave. I'm waiting for you to demonstrate this great magic you keep bragging about. So far...I'm just not seeing it."

  "Ziz-zee-zee," Lilchta says, correcting the irate woman captain.

  "Whatever! I don't care what you call it. I want out of this damn cave! Now...Either do something worth doing...Or, I'm leaving. Your silly magic be damned."

  With a sly smirk, Lilchta dissolves into thin air. Aurelia glances around, suddenly anxious at the idea of being left alone inside the cavern. She shrieks as Lilchta appears directly beside her. Grabbing Aurelia's left hand, the zifawid squeezes it in his own.

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  "You wanna see magic? I'll show you magic," Lilchta whispers hoarsely.

  Another surprised yelp issues from Aurelia's throat as she is suddenly back outside--in broad daylight. The planet's multiple suns beam down on her face, causing small beads of sweat to pop out on her cheeks and forehead. Lilchta pulls her to him with a wide grin, the tentacles on his shoulders and neck writhing with what Aurelia can only assume is excitement. White pulses of light course through those same tentacles and Aurelia's mouth falls open. Where has she seen such a light display before? Oh no. Mr. Yoth.

  Lilchta laughs the tiniest of laughs, studying Aurelia's shocked face. Mischief dances in the Cthulhu cousin's gray-blue eyes. He gestures with one hand, in a westerly direction.

  "I've wanted to do this for a long time. Since I discovered there are others like me in the universe. Watch...And be amazed."

  Aurelia jumps at the loud rumble of what can only be a massive explosion. The ground shudders violently and another even larger explosion quickly follows the first. About a mile away, a horde of robotic girgoghs flows out of the mouth of a gaping cave. A third explosion sends flames licking from the cave entrance, engulfing the flood of girgoghs still scrambling to get out.

  An engulfed girgogh flies through the air and smacks into the side of a parked spacecraft. The damaged girgogh slides down to the ground, twitching and rocking back and forth. But Zifawid Lilchta is far from finished.

  With a sweeping motion of his free hand, Lilchta sends numerous girgoghs and a craft flying through the air. The first craft slams into a second and they both dent in from the forceful impact. Lilchta is not satisfied with the result of his magic attack. He sweeps the same hand upward, sending both spacecrafts spinning high into the air. He swiftly drops his hand and clenches it into a tight fist. Both craft crash to the hard ground and crumble like soda pop cans.

  At this point, Captain Aurelia becomes frightened, realizing the true nature of the power she is witnessing. If this is what a novice Cthulhu sorcerer can do; the Terran Space Forces are wise to stay on Mr. Yoth's good side. For several more moments, Zifawid Lilchta has his fun--Taking out years of frustration on his girgogh masters. However, once he is done, Lilchta turns to Aurelia with a wider grin than the one he displayed earlier. Play time is over.

  "Was that good enough for you, Aurelia? Are you satisfied that I am indeed a powerful sorcerer? I didn't wish to frighten you before. I was comfortable showing you only a small portion of my powers. But since you insisted on knowing the full extent? Now, you know. And now, we can find your friends."

  "Wait. So, you could've whisked us out of there at any time?" Aurelia asks, puzzlement on her countenance.

  "I was not leaving without that book of spells. Just as you would not leave without your father's gun. But yes, I could have."

  "That book...Must be pretty important to you?" Aurelia says, her voice soft.

  "It is the only thing which ties me to my people. The girgoghs stole my life...My very Identity. I have now reclaimed it. But...Not all of the girgoghs are dead. There are many many more. If they are able to create another queen before we leave Yuktovy..."

  "I get it. I get it. We go now," Aurelia says, stepping past Zifawid Lilchta.

  Captain Hilyard is surprised yet again when Lilchta slips his hand around hers. The Cthulhu sorcerer stares down into her face with a warm smile.

  "There is no need to hurry," he says. "I am simply stating a fact. I know exactly where your friends are. I can bring them to us...And we can travel to your shuttles together. Or we can walk...If you prefer?"

  "I like your other idea better," Captain Hilyard says, her face growing warm.

  "I do as well," Lilchta lies.