It's chapter 21! This is a long fanfic, but I think there's only two or three chapters left! ON WITH IT!

Nobody was talking that morning. Mia, Ivan, Rona and Sheba were staying behind. Ivan was too injured to fight, Rona wanted to stay with Ivan, Mia was needed if wounded runeisks returned and needed to be healed, Felix forced Sheba to stay behind for her own safety.

Jenna didn't look up once. She was terrified of, not the battle, but of what was to happen to Isaac. She only prayed it would be quick and painless. There was nothing else she could do for him.

Ryu allowed Felix to ride her, as long as he didn't smack her shoulder. If he did, he would surely be sent flying.

Tag and a few other females were soaring on thermals, keeping an eye out for the army. The plan was, once they were seen, sneak around them and ambush them by swarming in from all sides. Some wild dragons flew alongside the runeisks. It seemed that they wanted a taste of the battle, too. The runeisks didn't mind. They were going to need all the help they could get.

Rona stared at the sky, watching for a signal. The sun was in her eyes, and she squinted. She could barely make out the shapes of the soaring runeisks. Something whimpered and nudged her shoulder. "Not, now Bucky, I'll play with you some other time...BUCKY!? Where were you, boy? Oh, I'm so happy to see you!"

The runeisks weren't as happy to see the wolf though. Vicious snarls echoed through the area. Bucky didn't come alone.

Isaac wasn't in the area, but he heard the commotion and came to investigate. He almost took a shit when he saw the army. It was Kalay and Tolbi, and they were as surprised to see the runeisks as the runeisks were surprised to see them.

Iodem came forward, riding a black horse. Felix went over to talk to him, but he had forgotten that he wasn't well liked in Tolbi. Seas of arrows were aimed at his throat in an instant. Ryu laid her ears back and stamped her hooves. Crin and Isaac tried to intervene but the arrows were pulled back further. It was a standoff, if anyone tried to break through the crowd, the arrows would be shot into Felix's neck and chest without second thought. But if they tried to compromise, they would be wasting precious time.

A voice rose above the crowd: "What the hell is going on here?" Sheba pushed her way through the crowd of horses.

The army stared at her for a long time, with their mouths hanging open. "She's not dead...?"

Sheba was in no mood to tell stories. "Who do you think you're threatening? Lower your weapons, for crying out loud!"

Felix finally exhaled. "Good. I though I was going to die." The horses moved out of her way, making a path so Felix and Ryu could get out of the death circle.

Sheba calmed the army's nerves...somewhat. "Let me speak with Iodem. Where is he?"

"I'm right behind you. It's good to see you're safe. I would imagine these creatures..."

"Runeisks."

"...runeisks would be a force no army would reckon with. Why are you here?"

Sheba crossed her arms. "I would ask the same of you."

"Ah, a very smart dog..."

"Wolf."

"...wolf led us here. We figured we could trust an animal with no reason to lie."

"This forest belongs to the dragons and runeisks. We know Gondowan is going to sneak through here, and we're preparing for the worst."

"You can't possibly mean to fight your home city..."

"I'm not fighting."

"Oh. But Gondowan's army is huge. I only see...maybe fifty runeisks and far fewer dragons. How could they stand a chance?"

"Aren't you fighting, too?"

"Will they allow us to fight alongside them?"

A runeisk stepped forward and took its sword, drove it into the ground, and bowed. The other runeisks glanced at each other, then did the same.

Sheba laughed. "They would be honored to fight with your army. Do you remember Isaac?"

"Yes, is he here?"

"He's here, but...not human. He's in charge of the runeisks. You two will have to take command, all right?"

Isaac slowly walked through the crowd. The entire army fell silent as runeisks and dragons surrounded them.

Then, Rona started yelling. "There's the signal! Gondowan's in the area!"

Tag flew over Iodem's head, scaring the living daylights out of him, and landed in front of Isaac. "They're coming from the east. I'd say about six hundred strong. We're in for some trouble, all right."

Isaac took hold of things seriously, now. "Don't panic! That will bring us no good!"

Sheba looked at Iodem. "They can understand you. Give orders! What else are you good for?"

"ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE CALM DOWN!"

Isaac stared at Iodem. "All right, he's in charge, now."

Now that the commotion ended, he was able to talk without yelling. "How does this sound? Dragons and runeisks go around the army and wait for us to attack the front. We don't want to lose the element of surprise. When you see us charge, strike the back lines from above. Do you understand?"

A few of them had their tails between their legs, but they all nodded. Iodem's horse ran a circle around the army. "We head east, slowly! Let's stay somewhat south of them! And be as quiet as possible, don't give our positions away!" The rest of the army turned and walked back in the direction they came.

Isaac snorted. "Well, we have to play our part, too."

Jenna looked up at him. "What about us? Do we stay with you?"

Isaac's ears drooped. He didn't want to tell her this...but...

Sheba touched Jenna's shoulder, so she would be able to understand Isaac's growls.

"You can't stay with me. If something is going to happen, I don't want you to be there where you can get hurt. Stay with Crin. He'll protect you."

"But...what about you? You're not afraid to die? What about your family?"

"I..." He glanced at Sheba. He didn't have any privacy anymore. But why worry about rumors and embarrassment in the last few hours of life? He nuzzled Jenna affectionately. "Please don't come after me. I...I love you. Please, just...stay safe for me, all right?"

Sheba rolled her eyes. Mucky love story...she zoned out and didn't listen to them.

Jenna rested her cheek on his muzzle, stroking his fur. His fur was getting wet from her tears, but he didn't notice. He purred softly, nuzzling her. Then, he lifted his head and glanced at Crin. "Keep an eye on Jenna for me. I'm going into battle alone, for her own safety." Then, he walked away.

Jenna stared after him, dying to run after him but Crin gently lifted her and set her on his back. She looked around. Everybody had someone there for them. Rona and Ivan talked casually as Rona slowly poured cool water over his burns. Piers and Pictu were sparring playfully with each other, laughing as they feinted attacks at one another. Garet and Mia were trying to have a romantic moment, but Karina kept butting in and asking to play mah jong. Sheba leaned against Felix as he spoke softly to her, stroking her hair and kissing her. In a few hours, there would be blood spilled on the ground. Isaac's blood among it all. Jenna leaned forward and rested her head on Crin's neck. "I don't wanna be alone...after all of this, we'll still be friends, right Crin?"

Crin snorted and nodded. He didn't know what to do for her, though. I never had a mate. I can't imagine the pain she must feel, knowing her mate is going to die...

Jenna felt tears coming on. No. I can't cry now. There's time for that later, there's work to do now. We're at war.

Isaac lifted his head and bellowed loudly, rallying the runeisks. A chorus of roars and screams echoed his bellow. Then, he turned, opened his wings and took to the air. There was a flurry of wing beats as the runeisks and dragons leapt skyward. Ryu reared, nearly causing Felix to fall off her, and rushed forward. The air churned with many beating wings and then, there was silence.

Tag, Ivan, Rona, Karina, Mia, Sheba and Temba and a few other female runeisks were the only ones left behind. Minutes seemed like hours until the distant roar of a battle rose over the trees. It had begun.

ONE MORE CHAPTER! Next time: As a climatic battle rages, Tag realizes there's more to this prophecy than meets the eye, and someone beside Isaac might be in horrible danger because of it...UNTIL NEXT TIME!