As The Ancient One arrived to pick up his temporary companions David immediately spoke.
"Esther's still a little upset with what you put her through this afternoon," he complained. "She would appreciate it if she could forgo tonight's adventure. Also, she's been hearing strange noises since dusk and they have been disturbing her."
"Unfortunately," The Ancient One answered, "I can't comply. We have an important mission tonight and something we have to take care of first. I'm not surprised she hears the battles in her material form. Come on! I'll show you."
The Ancient One took them about their city and showed them that it was surrounded with horrendous spiritual battles. Creatures of Darkness were everywhere fighting The Forces Of Light! "You see," The Ancient One snapped, "they've come to realize the mistake they made. They've given up fighting Us to the west and come here with everything they have. They are very, very predictable. Come on! Let's hover over here by The Washington Monument. That's where Jesus is. This assault will last for several more minutes. I want you to see what it's like."
"My God!" David remarked, "I see what you mean when you say it is difficult to describe the tenacity of these things. What are those streaks coming towards God's people?"
"Spiritual javelines," The Ancient One explained. Somehow the creatures of Darkness are able to form them and throw them. They've been giving us a pretty hard time but We're getting better at defending Ourselves against them."
"Why don't You throw some back?" David inquired.
"We can't form them," The Ancient One explained. "Apparently the power of love, decency and respect can't be cast as far as the power of hate and anger can."
"You cannot tell me," Esther snapped "that those people down there are being empowered by love! Nobody could fight with that tenacity empowered by love! You MUST be using some hate and anger!"
The Ancient One smiled. "Hate clouds your judgment," he explained, "anger makes you irrational. We try to avoid them as much as possible. I will admit, once and a while I get irate but I'm not of The Kingdom Of God and the creatures of Darkness always regret making me mad! All those down there are fighting wih pure love. Fortunately the enemy has few battle tactics. They mainly use frontal assault and try to overwhelm Us with superior numbers. The superiority of Our power gives Us the advantage, and, Our ability to use Our wits as well as Our brawn. There, they're backing off for a respite. Let's take position. Durga always fights with John Lennon. He's over there defending the passage to the east. Esther, why don't you join her? She likes to guard John's rear and the creatures of Darkness are always out to get it. You'll see plenty of action! David, let's join Jesus!"
They parted and landed among the resting Defenders. "Of course you know Jesus," The Ancient One began, "but I'd like to introduce Odin and his kinsmen, Frigga, his wife, his sons, Thor, Baldar, Loki. They have taken it on themselves to be Jesus' personal bodyguards in these little happenings."
"I express my sincere gratitudes for Their services!" David praised, "And am overjoyed to meet Them!"
"Demetrius always takes the position at my left hand," Jesus remarked, "would you do me the honor of taking my right?"
"The honor is mine!" David assured.
"Here they come!" someone warned. "Javelins! Javelins!"
Everyone quickly brought up their shields and overlapped them. Several times David felt the thud as one hit his shield. "I think I'm a target!" he muttered.
"Don't doubt it!" The Ancient One moaned.
"Here they come!" Everybody rose up. David could not believe that anyone could've fought through the incredible defense that The Norse Gods were putting up. Again and again he saw Thor's hammer bash down and attack disintegrating a shield or a helmet with incredible blows. But still some of them pushed through. He didn't know how long they fought, it seemed like forever. He must've wounded half a dozen of the foul creatures before they began to withdraw.
Suddenly, he heard someone cry out and looked to see one of the javelins protruding from The Ancient One's left shoulder! Loki quickly came over and hauled it out. The speed with which The Ancient One closed the wound amazed David. "Damn! That's gonna hurt in the morning!" The Ancient One snapped, "Probably won't have full feeling in that arm for days. That's another one of their little tricks. They'll throw their javelins while we're still in contact, endanger their own people to wound us. Ew, that hurts!"