Ah man, I can't believe how long this took. Seriously, I thought i would never finish chapter sixteen. *flops back on bed* I've had a long, good two weeks to work on this chapter.

The good thing it's winter break so I'm going to use the time to focus on this fanfic. This story is my Everest. I never imagined I'd ever get this far. but look at me. I'm almost nearly done with it. But not quite.

Another week flew by before Ereyon showed up again. It was on a Friday night. Wirt was home that day after spending the afternoon with Greg at the public pool. The angel was frazzled when he arrived at Wirt's window around midnight. He looked as if he'd seen an unspeakable horror. When he was calm enough he asked the angel what happened. Ereyon told him of Iohpiel's followers, almost catching him when he was three states over. Wirt was appalled but kept a bold composure.

Ereyon, not wanting to give himself away in case the prowling angels were nearby, asked Wirt permission to stay in his room for the night. Wirt was more than willing to let him stay.

Morning arrived with a terrible sense of tension in the air. One of them being Ereyon in his house and Wirt's parents not aware of that fact. Another for having to tell Greg later in the day. Ereyon eagerly left Wirt's home before Greg or their parents could check up on him, with the promise to wait for him and their friends in the cemetery.

As soon as Greg woke up Wirt informed him of Ereyon's overnight stay. The little boy was overjoyed to head news about the angel but also offered concern towards Ereyon's well being.

Wirt also told him about the artifacts and that they needed to take them to the forest. Greg deduced that Ereyon was going to try the spell he told them about. If that was the case, then the rogue angels were closer to finding Ereyon and forcing him to rewiring his memories.

That midmorning Wirt prepared to head for the forest. He packed a backpack with a flashlight, a pair of binoculars, a map, a jacket, his old slingshot and a pocket knife. The knife was given to him by his father the last time he visited him. Derek assured him it was just emergencies only. Somewhere in his subconscious Wirt told himself he didn't need no matter how much his father insisted. Holding it in his hand right now brought back that conversation, and he packed it into his bag as he looked forward to the coming night.

The gold nugget that Ereyon gave him remained hidden in his nightstand drawer. It was the only place no one looked in. Greg hid the small diamond in his keepsake box, which is where he hid all his most treasured belongings.

Coming up with a plan for venturing into the forest required wit, tactic and vague reasons. Wirt came up with the idea of telling his parents they were going camping, but later realized they wouldn't believe him seeing how he was only taking a backpack. He then came up with the sleepover idea. It was believable and no one questioned it further. Wirt told his parents he and Greg along with Sara and Jason were spending the night at Ereyon's house. He assured them that Ereyon's aunt and uncle were going to be home for the entire sleepover.

Making up lies was starting to become a drag. If this entrapment spell worked, then his days of lying and making excuses would be coming to an end.

It was drawing close to sunset when Wirt realized it was almost time to go. He was in his room, gazing out the window, a solemn look on his face. He let out a sigh as he pondered the unforeseeable future to come. He was scared to death to facing Iophiel and his soldiers. And worst of all what if he ended losing someone in this fight. If not his own life, what about Greg? Or Sara? Or Jason? Or even Ereyon? If it ended up being Ereyon, Wirt would know he went down protecting them. That was something Iophiel would never understand.

His door open, turning around to see his brother greeting him.

"Wirt, hey Wirt!," he cheeped. He walked over to him, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

"Yeah, Greg?" Wirt quirked a brow, a smile spreading across his face.

"Are you excited?"

"Sure am. Though I am a little scared. I mean, those angels sound like bad news." He looked over at the window, paranoid sweeping over him. "If they were human, they'd be the most feared gang ever."

"Yeah, I wouldn't want to mess with them either." Greg put his hands on his hips, foot tapping in thought. "You all set?"

"Yup. You?"

"Almost," replied Greg, "I need to find a space for the diamond Ereyon gave me."

"Why not put in the side pocket?," suggested Wirt. "That's what I'm doing."

"I know, but what if it falls out?"

"You want me to carry it in my backpack?"

"Would you?"

"I'd do it anyway."

"Okay," piped Greg, "wait here." He dashed out of Wirt's room and to his own room. He came back about five minutes later with the diamond in his small hands. "Here," he said.

"Alright," said Wirt, taking the diamond into his own hand. He walked over to his bed, where his backpack was, and unzipped the side pocket. He dropped the diamond next to the gold nugget. "There. Now it's safe."

"Hey Wirt," chirped Greg.

"Yeah?"

"What do you think Ereyon will do after he traps the other angels?"

At that, Wirt fell silent. He'd been mulling that question over for the past week. Every idea he had ended with the same conclusion: Ereyon staying. After what he's seen, Ereyon's time with the humans was coming to an end. But what if he didn't have to go back to Heaven? What if he could stay here on Earth? What if he gave up his angelhood and became human for good? That way he'd still be with him and Greg and Sara and Jason. But at what cost? What was an angel to you when he was on the cuspid of execution and escaping? Would you give everything up for that angel? Or would you watch him incarcerate the ones who want him dead and trap himself with them? Wirt had to come to terms with that and accept Ereyon's decision. No matter how much it hurt him.

"I've been thinking about that all week," he said to Greg. "And...I've come to a few possibilities." He sat down on the bed, motioning for his brother to join him. Greg climbed on to the bed and sat by his brother's side. Wirt took in a deep breath. "You see, Greg," he began, "Ereyon is still feeling guilt over his actions and doesn't feel ready to return to human." He felt a pang of guilt pulsate in his own heart. "He doesn't feel like he deserves to go home for what he did. And so...I don't think he'll be going back to Heaven but he won't be staying here."

"Where would he go if not here?" Greg asked.

Wirt pondered that for a few moments. If he could, he'd spend the whole night contemplating it.

"I don't know," he replied. "Probably on the other side of the planet. Or even on a different planet."

"Like Jupiter?"

"Yeah, probably," said Wirt, playfully. "He probably doesn't need to breathe."

"How long would he be gone?" Greg's worry was worse than Wirt's.

"Angels are immortal," answered Wirt, "he could probably spend a whole century traveling. Trying to find himself. Trying to make things right. But I know this: whatever conclusion he comes to, it's his choice and his alone."

Greg looked down at the floor, convinced but still concerned. Wirt hoped he'd at least lifted some of his brother's spirits, if only it lessened the tension in him as well.

"Who would be in charge of Heaven if not Ereyon?," asked Greg suddenly.

"That's a good question, Greg," said Wirt, "and the truth is, I don't know. There's God. He's the obvious choice. Always has been. But without a caelum to handle the harmony and balance of nature, then...I don't even want to imagine what'll happen."

"That's sad," quoth Greg dejectedly.

"Hey, it's okay," uttered Wirt, wrapping his arm around his little brother. "I'm sure nothing will happen. Like I said, whatever Ereyon chooses to do will come to him. If what his brothers wanted was for him to live his life happily, then that's what Ereyon should do."

"Even if he doesn't want to rule Heaven?"

"Exactly!" Wirt said, intent on keeping Greg uplifted. "And if his brothers wanted them to take over the Throne, he shouldn't have to do what they wanted."

"But they're his brothers and Ereyon's the last one," said Greg.

"And that's alright. He shouldn't have to choose the life that was written for him, but live his life for himself regardless of what others think. Including his brothers."

"I guess so," sighed Greg. He curled into Wirt's side and rested his head on his lap. Wirt stroked Greg's back, hoping it would soothe his troubles.

He even felt his own anxiety melt away.

A knock was heard from downstairs. Wirt listened as someone—either his mother or stepfather—opened the front door and heard a series of voices waft in.

"Hi, Mrs. Stevenson," said a voice. It was Sara.

"Oh, hi, Sara, Jason," said Mrs. Stevenson. "Here to pick up Wirt and Greg?"

"Yeah," answered Jaosn. "Are Wirt and Greg ready?"

"They should be."

Hearing the cue to announce his arrival, Wirt looked at Greg and said, "Psst, Greg, we have to go."

Greg sat up and stretched his arms. He jumped off the bed and walked towards the door. "I'll go get my backpack," he said. Once he was gone, Wirt grabbed his own backpack, strapped it on and walked out the door.

Making his way downstairs, he saw his mother at the door, beside her, Jason and Sara stood patiently.

"Hey," said Wirt. "I'm all set, and Greg will be down soon." He glanced over at the stairs, waiting for his brother's arrival.

"Here I come!," cheeped Greg. The boy thumped down the stairs, his backpack already strapped to his back. "Ready for the slumber party."

"Have a good time," said Mrs. Stevenson, stooping down to give her son a hug. She then gave Wirt a hug. "Now, you two behave and do what Ereyon's aunt and uncle say."

"We will, Mom," said Wirt.

"Yeah," chirped Greg, "Ereyon said his mom's gonna bake us a cake."

"Come on, guys," said Sara.

"Right behind you," quipped Wirt. "We've got to go, Mom," he said as a reminder.

"Bye, you two," said Mrs. Stevenson, waving her sons off. Wirt and Greg side by side of their friends.

"See you on Monday," added Wirt quickly, waving to his mother.

Mrs. Stevenson gave one final wave before closing the door. Once the four crossed the street, the conversation started.

"That was a nice coverup," complimented Sara, clapping Wirt.

"Yeah," muttered Wirt, sheepishly rubbing his arm while forcing a smile. "It really starts to get easier with practice."

"Well, we've got those artifacts," stated Sara, pulling on the straps of her own backpack. "Now to get this show on the road."

"I hope those angels don't put up a fight," murmured Jason.

"They might," remarked Wirt, holding up a finger. "Which is why I prepared."

"What do you mean?," queried Sara.

"I brought my pocketknife."

Jason had to do a double take. The sound of a pocketknife made him see Wirt as someone he didn't want to reckon with.

"A pocketknife?" Sara raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, my Dad gave it to me the last time I saw him," explained Wirt. "I've never had any use for it...until now." The way Wirt said it held a grim prophecy.

"You're not going to use it, are you?," queried Sara.

"Not unless I have to," replied Wirt. "Besides, I don't think I'll have to use it. Ereyon's all-powerful."

"But even he can't stop everything," mused Jason.

"I know."

The four saw the cemetery gate come into view. Wirt prepared himself, and walked into the cemetery, his friends were probably just as nervous as him. Instead of taking the shortcut that Lyle showed them, they were taking the long way. The friends climbed over the stone wall and jumped onto the train tracks. They hoped there wouldn't be any trains rolling by. Together, they walked along the tracks, below them the river flowed serenely.

"Hey, remember that Halloween?," asked Greg.

Greg, what are you doing?! Wirt's eyes widened like saucers.

"Yeah?" Sara uttered suspiciously.

"Well, when Wirt and I fell in, I dreamt that I was in this magical forest."

Okay, I'm liking this so far. The heaviness in Wirt's brow lightened, looking a thousand times less nervous.

"A...forest?" Jason muttered.

"Yeah!" Greg chirped. "And there were these animals dressed in fancy clothes. And there was this talking bluebird. And Wirt was in the dream, too."

"That must've been some dream," commented Sara.

"Yeah, really something," interjected Wirt, trying to keep his nerves under control.

The trek to the forest was spent in silence. The gargantuan trees stood proudly in all their might. Wirt could see the entrance to the forest up ahead. The four friends gingerly stepped out of the train tracks and began the walk down the dusty path. Wirt wondered where Ereyon would be at this moment. He doubted he'd be in the cabin this time. That place was becoming a hotspot for trouble. Wirt was sure the angel was probably at the meadow, where it all began. And where everything would probably end.

Sunlight peeked through the treetops. Birds flew from tree to tree, their songs heard in a gentle melody. Flowers stood out against the monotonous green grass. Insects, mostly butterflies fluttered through the air, stopping here and there for a taste of pollen. A dragonfly above Greg's head. The boy let out a giggle as he tried to reach for it.

"Heheh, they're like little helicopters," he cheeped.

Wirt lightly chuckled.

He and the gang were making progress. They were going on the right path to the crater. Now. Wirt hoped that they would find Ereyon there. Glancing around, he wondered whether the angel mentally instructed the animals to protect him, his brother and their friends. That was one thing that slipped his mind. But trying to test it was like playing with fire. So he decided to keep quiet.

Snapping on a stray twig, Wirt kept his eyes peeled for any sign of Ereyon. His red hair would give him away even in the subtle light of the forest. His wings would also be a giveaway. Or perhaps Ereyon made himself invisible.

"So," said Sara, as to break the silence among them, "do you know what these other angels look like?"

"Ereyon described them to me," retorted Wirt.

"And what did he say?," queried Jason. His voice dripped with anxiety.

"Well," began Wirt, "he told me their names and their descriptions. You'll know once they arrive."

Sara took his word and wisely held her tongue. Despite putting on a strong facade, she was genuinely scared of these angels. All her life she thought of angels as benign creatures of grace and infinite compassion. After meeting Ereyon and getting to know him, she knew that angels were just like her kind: afraid of being vulnerable, of being called out for being imperfect, and for being helpless. Angels are really broken inside.

"Hey I can see the meadow from here," chirped Greg, hand covering his brow.

"Oh yeah, I can see it," remarked Jason.

The four took off in a sprint. The passing trees seemed to blur as they ran. Sara squinted and shielded her brow from the sun. She saw a figure materialize, the silver jewels on his coat shining in the faint sunlight that peeked through the treetops.

"Oh hey!," hollered Sara, pointing. "I think I see Ereyon."

"Yeah there he is!," hooted Wirt.

They made it to the spot and saw the redheaded angel standing in the small garden, the tall sprigs of grass brushing against his coat. Ereyon turned around, regarding his friends as such.

"We're here!," chirruped Greg, throwing his arms into the air. "And we brought the stuff you gave us."

"Good," said the angel.

"Where is this clearing you mentioned?," inquired Jason. The tone in his voice them that he was frightened of what might come at them.

"It's east of here," replied Ereyon. "It's at least twenty miles from here."

"Oh." Jason's face fell. Either he was unprepared for the hike or the predators that might be lurking in silence.

"Well, if it's that far," said Sara, "we'd better get a move on."

"Agreed," quipped Wirt.

The four friends started the trek with the angel at the head of the small team. Greg trotted ahead and walked beside Ereyon.

"Hey, Ereyon."

"Yes?" The angel snapped his head to the small boy.

"I have a question."

Wirt was picking up something suspicious from Greg's innocent, yet doubtful curiosity. He kept a wary on him as he continued listening.

"Is the spell really going to last forever?"

It was a straightforward question with an easy answer, but the angel could tell that Greg held some degree of concern over the rogue angels.

"It'll keep them contained," replied Ereyon, "but I can't guarantee that this spell is permanent."

"So," Greg's voice faltered, "they might...escape?"

Ereyon breathed a sigh of grief. "It's an inconvenient truth, but if or when they escape, I'm hoping it'll be centuries into the future. You won't be around to witness it."

Greg's face fell. Then he popped another question.

"I've got another question."

"All right, what is it?"

"Isn't there another way to settle things?"

The angel paused before responding. "I don't see any other way of escaping my execution."

"Couldn't you at least try?"

Ereyon didn't respond.

"You know, that wouldn't be such a bad idea," spoke Jason.

Sara snapped her head to him, arching a brow. Wirt's was just as curious as Sara's.

"Uh, I mean," uttered Jason, trying not to mess up. "You've been in this planet for a while. Surely you must have something to show for?"

"I could show them everything in the world, but they still wouldn't be convinced," responded Ereyon. "I don't find any other alternatives aside from this one."

Jason frowned. Wirt patted him on the shoulder. "It was a good try," he said. Jason shrugged.

"You know, they might be right," uttered Sara, taking Ereyon's right, glancing up at the redheaded angel. "All I'm saying is you can convince them to lift the sentence, and you can get a less harsh punishment."

Ereyon's wings flapped crisply. He turned away, a solemn look on his face. Something inside him made him consider their advice. Ereyon was at a crossroads; everything was piling on top of him. If his brothers could see him now, they'd probably be ashamed of him.

"Whatever you decide," said Sara, "will be your decision and yours only."

The angel gazed down at the grassy trail. All these months spent in the human world, he's come to appreciate humans and feel like one of them. Having these four as his friends made him feel fortunate. He didn't want anything to happen to them, and he won't let it. Ereyon was the last caelum angel in the world. If something happened to him, the balance of the world would collapse and slip into catastrophe. If only he could find another to take his place. None of the other angels had the powers of a caelum to balance the harmony of worlds.

Whatever happens tonight was on Ereyon's head.

The field was expansive, open and serene. The wind blew the grass, no other sound but the calm wind. The day was coming close to an end. The sky was a dreary blue with tints of a faint dark fuchsia and a paler tone of purple. The sun was making its descent, bidding the world a farewell before falling into its slumber.

Wirt turned around. The sun was seen at the horizon. An enormous ball of fire keeping the sky longer for just a while longer. With the light cutting through the trees, it cast long, somber shadows across the green field. This prompted Wirt to sketch it, if he thought it were the appropriate time. Looking around, seeing his friends settle down and unpack their belongings, he figured they wouldn't take notice. He opened his backpack, pulled out his sketchbook, which he packed at the last minute.

Sitting on the grass, he took out a pencil, and opened the sketchbook to the next available page. With a soulful sigh, he began sketching.

Sara, who carefully placed her backpack on the ground, turned over to Wirt with curious eyes, craning her neck for a better view. She sidled over to him, careful not startle him. Behind her, Jason took notice and joined her, equally as curious.

"Hey, what are you looking at?," asked Greg, walking up to the older kids. He craned his neck, eyes alight when he saw his brother's sketch. "Whoa."

Ereyon ambled up to his friends, wonder and fear coursing through him. He crouched down next to Wirt, remembering to fold his wings. He peeked at Wirt's sketch, overtaken by amazement.

By the time Wirt finished, Ereyon couldn't pull his eyes away from the sketch.

"That's so cool," commented Greg, pointing.

"Yeah," squeaked Jason.

"Thanks," said Wirt. "Just wait until I color it." He closed his sketchbook, slid the pencil into the spiral spine, and slipped it back safely into his backpack.

"I like it," spoke Ereyon. He stood up, wings opened proudly.

Wirt zipped his backpack after getting out his jacket. Donning it on, he looked around the field. Several yards off there was another treeline. This field was so big, you could fit a trailer or an RV in the clearing. Remembering what needed to be done, Wirt opened the side pocket on his backpack and pulled out the diamond and the gold nugget.

"I was almost forgetting," he said, approaching Ereyon with an outstretched hand. "You need these to do the spell."

"Thank you," said Ereyon. The angel took the artifacts from him.

"And this," spoke Sara, plucking out the green orb from her bag.

"Don't forget this," muttered Jason. In his hand was the amulet he was given not so long ago.

Ereyon paused before speaking. "We'll need to start right away," he explained. Turning around, he paced over some few feet away. "I'll draw the circle here." He glanced around for something to etch the circle in.

"Use this," said Greg, dragging a large branch. The angel grabbed the branch, noting it was almost as tall as him. He poked it at the loose dirt; the ground was soft enough to draw the circle. The red-winged angel dragged the branch along the ground, creating a line.

Ereyon drew the circle three times the size of the small doodle he showed them days ago. The circle took up half of the clearing. The tall grass hid the etched circle, making it hard to tell where it was, or if it even was there.

"I will need the items," said Ereyon.

"Here," said Jason, gratefully handing the angel the amulet.

Ereyon hovered over the ground, flapping his wings lightly and slowly.

"Put the amulet over there," he said, pointing to the far right side of the symbol. Jason did as he was told and gently dropped the amulet down.

"Where should the orb be placed?," asked Sara.

"Right there," said Ereyon. He motioned over to the lower left side of the circle. Sara placed the sphere on the ground.

Once the items were put in place, everyone backed away to give the angel room. Ereyon's feet touched the forest floor, beating his wings before closing them.

"What now?," inquired Greg.

"When Iophiel and his army arrive," replied Ereyon, "once I shove them into the circle, I'll pour the phial onto the circle, trapping them."

It didn't sound too when he described them, but it was still a selfish act to save oneself.

"What about you?," asked Greg.

The angel paused before speaking. "This is what I was dreading," he retorted, head hanging down, his eyes despondent.

"What?" Sara's voice held fear as her eyes slightly widened.

"I," began Ereyon, turning away, crossing his arms.

Jason craned his neck to catch a peek of Ereyon's face. The red wings unfurled themselves, letting the group know not to approach.

As the sky darkened, the five waited in silence. Ereyon spent his time waiting for Iophiel and his followers to arrive. He reminded his friends to hide when they do. He instructed them to distracted the rogue angels long enough to push them into the Lum star. After which, Ereyon will pour the phial onto the circle and trap them forever. And yet Ereyon didn't mention what he planned on doing after. No one dared ask for fear of the angel doing something foolish in the process.

Wirt opened his backpack and took out the flashlight. Flicking it on, he shined it at the neighboring treeline. A chill traveled up his spine. He let out a shiver. For that one moment, he was sure Iohpiel and his army were hiding there. He shook his head and turned around.

Greg trotted up to him.

"Wirt, hey Wirt," he cheeped.

"Yeah, Greg?," said Wirt, shining the flashlight on him. Greg shielded his eyes.

"Do you get the feeling Ereyon's keeping something secret from us?"

Wirt quirked a brow. He turned the flashlight off and shoved it into his jacket pocket. He didn't have much time to consider the thought of actually asking himself that exact question.

"Well, yeah," he said. He stole a glance at the red-haired angel. Ereyon was standing a few yards off, his back to them. He hoped he didn't overhear them. "I've been wondering the same thing, but we can't ask him what it is."

"Why not?"

It was an excruciatingly hard question to answer. But luckily, Wirt knew how to say it.

"It's like this," said Wirt, stooping before him, "he doesn't want to tell us what he's going to do because he'll think we'll try to stop him."

"But wouldn't we try to?," reiterated Greg.

"It's the obvious thing we'd do, Greg," answered Wirt. "I still think Ereyon won't want to change his mind about his plan."

Greg hung his head, a frown forming in his face. Wirt placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. The younger boy gazed up at him.

"But," said Greg, "Ereyon knows he can change his mind."

"I know, Greg—"

"And he doesn't have to do this if he doesn't want to,"

"I-I know, Greg, but—"

"I wish we could try something."

A rustling sound distracted the brothers from their conversation. Wirt grabbed his flashlight and turned it on. Were those the angels this time?

"They're coming," said Ereyon, wings unfurled. "Go, hide—NOW!"

The four grabbed their backpacks and fled for the safety of the treeline. They had to be well-hidden to not get spotted. Thank goodness for the oversized bushes. Wirt peeked through the bushes, waiting for the moment.

"Do you see them?," whispered Greg, creeping closer to his brother. "Is it the angels?"

"Shhh."

The four watched in silence. Ereyon stood, wings unfurled, as thought ready to fight. His red wings and hair stood out in the dark, his alabaster skin giving off this glow despite the muted moonlight.

Several minutes, these figures appeared. Wirt counted them. There were about five of them. Humanlike in appearance, but the most obvious giveaway were the wings.

Angels.

Ooh, we're at the marking point. Chapter seventeen is going to opened up where this chapter left off. oh man, I cant believe we're this far. It's so intense. And I wonder what Ereyon's hiding.

Don't forget, chapter seventeen is underway. Don't go away, I guarantee you'll love the next chapter. And I don't mean to get gossipy, but I feel like tensions between Wirt and Ereyon rising high. I hope they'll get explained on the next chapter. ^_^

Thank you to everyone who joined me in the long run! :D