All Along

Asher and "Lovely" are moved down into the underground area that they have been defending. Sam tries to convince David to join them, but the Alpha refuses. Another wave of Shades attacks. David struggles to shift, but ignores Sam's objections and successfully transforms. The Shade's assault begins anew, and after hours of nonstop fighting, David's strength finally gives out. A strike from a Shade throws him to the ground and knocks him back into his human form, his magic completely spent. Just before it can finish him, Damien and Huxley arrive and drive them off. Damien tells Huxley to get David to safety while he holds off the next wave. Sam is overwhelmed by a Shade and only just succeeds in defeating it. He and Vincent share a brief moment, realizing that their strength and magic have been used up. The commit to bringing as many of the Shades down with them as they can, and prepare to make their last stand. Damien expends all of his remaining magic trying to keep the Shade's assault at bay, but it isn't enough. His powers run dry, and he believes it is the end. Huxley arrives back just as a Shade violently attacks the Fire Elemental, and Huxley's fury explodes into a violent earthquake that consumes the Shade and tears the earth asunder. Outside the Ward, Milo and "Sweetheart" feel the earthquake wrack the grounds, and realize that that means the Ward must be considerably weakened. Fearing the Department may find a way to reinforce it, they execute their plan. Milo reveals that he plans to step into the convergence point of the Warders' magic, using his ability as a Shifter to absorb magic to destabilize the Ward. He isn't sure what the effects to his own body will be. He and "Sweetheart" share a kiss, and he steps in, unsure if he will step back out alive. It is a success, disrupting the magic and dropping the Ward. The assembled crowds successfully destroy the Shades. Jett orders that the area be secured and that all survivors are led to the triage stations. Lasko finds Huxley and Damien and helps them get to the healing stations. "Angel" and "Baaabe" reach David and Asher and they reunite. "Darlin" finds Sam, and he finally breaks down in their arms. Vincent races "Lovely" to safety. Milo regains consciousness, heavily wounded, and he and "Sweetheart" make their way outside. They successfully make radio contact with David and Asher, and he collapses in relief. Brachium comes to the realization that this act wasn't meant as an invasion, but rather as a feast, where the forces below the river of Death could gorge on the magic and energy of those who died. He wonders how much time they have left before something greater than Shades breaks free.