Author's Note: Whoa, it has been a WHILE. I'm sorry it's taken so long to post this chapter – I had a major case of writer's block and read like, seven books to make up for it. But I think I've got my groove back and some cool ideas floating around, so I'll be posting some more this week! Going on a super long road trip tomorrow, so I'll have ALL the time to write. Hope ya enjoy!

[Todd]

I am-

NO!

The circle-

QUIT!

And-

GET OUTTA MY HEAD!

The circle-

STOP!

Is me-

SHUT-UP!

Eric's army keeps repeatin that saying no matter how much I beg them to stop. Even with my hands coverin my ears, head bent over in the snow, the words still force themselves into my mind. Now my Noise is gettin silent, my urge to surrender gettin stronger by the second, pullin me in no matter how much I resist. Despite my connection to the Land, that sayin always makes me weak, always makes me want to give in-

Cuz even tho the feelin of abundant Noise is beautiful and strong and all the things good about this world-

It can also be the bad. All the hurt and the evil and the wrongness and the brokenness, all at yer disposal. Pulsin thru yer mind. Paradin thru yer thoughts-

And all that chaos cud be gone if I just listen-

All that chaos cud be gone if I just let go-

But there's only one thing that keeps me from goin all the way-

"TODD!" Viola's voice sounds muffled, like I'm hearin her underwater, but it's enough to grab my attention. She's got a death grip on my shoulders and she's shakin me. Panic fills her eyes. Fear overflows in her Noise.

"LOOK AT ME, TODD!" She demands. I do.

"Don't let him get to your head! They're not stronger than you!"

I try to believe her, but his army is shoutin louder now, my Noise battlin, but losin, to fight it off. I shake my head at Viola, tears comin from my eyes-

"I can't, Viola! It's too strong." I'm tellin her, shakin and cryin at the same time, hatin how weak I sound. My body starts to go limp in her arms. She pushes me back up by the shoulders.

"TODD! LISTEN TO ME!" She pleads, her eyes searchin mine, like she's tryin to keep me from gettin too lost.

But it's too late-

Cuz I already am-

And there is one last flicker of Noise-

Before everything-

Starts to go silent-

"GIVE IT UP, MS. EADE!" Eric shouts. Viola jumps up, leaving me crouched in the snow on my knees, and faces Eric over the edge of the hill.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" She shouts. I raise my head and reach out to her, tryin to tell her to get back, but I can't, not while that sayin is still pulsin thru the air-

"I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, Viola!" He yells. "You asked for war and YOU GOT ONE! But obviously not a war you can win - your Noise is pointless without Todd's!"

And it's true, cuz not only is my Noise dyin now, but Viola's is too. She starts to panic, lookin from me, to the army, then back to me. She pauses for one second before runnin at full speed, crouchin down, and snatchin the gun from my jacket pocket.

"Wut are yer doin?!" I yell, takin one hand off my ear and grabbin onto her wrist.

"Someone has to end this, Todd!" She shouts, yankin her arm away from me.

"So yer gonna kill him?!" I shout. It ain't like I didn't expect to have to do it, but Viola's already killed once before. She shouldn't have to go and do it again-

"WHAT OTHER CHOICE DO WE HAVE!" Viola yells at me, desperate for me to understand. But as soon as I get ready to protest, Eric's army hits me with more Noise, causin a terrible scream to rise from my throat and into the air-

But that aint all he sends our way-

Bullets begin to hit the snow.

"VIOLA GET DOWN!" I shout, grabbin onto her waist and pullin her down in the snow with me. I try to cover her as they fire shots at us, while also blockin out their Noise, but I can barely do both at the same time. The smallest part of my mind that can actually think for itself starts to regret this whole thing, bringin Viola here, thinkin these powers were a match against Eric and his army. We stay crouched there, huddled with each other, and I'm gettin ready to apologize to Viola, apologize for this fight we're about to lose, all cuz I can't get a hold of my Noise, all cuz I'm still too weak, still not strong enough of a man-

"VIOLA! TODD!"

Viola and I risk a glance to look up at the opening of the cave, where Matthew is limpin out. He's got his own gun in his hand, but an even scarier look on his face.

"GO BACK INSIDE! ITS NOT SAFE!" Viola commands over the sound of bullets. Matthew ducks and crawls over to us frantically, ignorin her completely.

"You two need help! If I don't step in then Todd will be done for-"

"No he won't!" Viola says, helpless hope still in her voice. "We can still do this!"

But I don't know if I can, not while that saying is shrinking my Noise-

"Let him, Viola." I say, still pressin my ears with my hands, even tho it's pointless. Those words are still forcin their way into my mind, my Noise not even a flicker anymore. I'm silent, useless, the reason we're losin this war right now. I look up at Viola, my Viola, willing to do whatever it takes to get her on the other side of this war.

Even if it means putting my trust in Matthew.

"Kill him if you have to!" I shout to Matthew, not carin if Eric lives or dies at this point.

Matthew don't answer me, but he's got a look in his eyes that means he understands. But not Viola.

She's got both hands on my shoulders, a pleading look in her eyes for me to get up. But as much as I want to give her what she wants, as much as I want to end this fight at her side, I know I can't.

She's gotta do it for the both of us.

"You gotta go without me." I tell her quietly.

"No, Todd, you're stronger than them-"

"I'm not, Viola-"

"If you just-"

"Viola." I interrupt her.

She looks at me now, pain and hurt and fear in her eyes.

"I can't do it without you." she says in a tearful whisper, lowering her head.

"Look at me, Viola." I ask her now. She does.

"Yer our only shot." I say to her, then glance over at Mattew. "Both of you."

Viola tries to say something else, but I flinch as the saying gets louder and louder. From the corners of my eyes I can see some of Eric's army runnin up the hill, chargin at us with determined faces and guns ready.

"I'm not leaving you here, Todd!" She shouts.

"I'll be alright!" I tell her, now taking the gun from my pocket and shoving it in her hand. Now she acts like she don't want it, that she'd rather lay here in the snow with me. But I won't let her give up. Not when we're this close-

"Viola, listen." I say fervently. "We don't have time and this is our last chance to end this. If you just leave me for now it'll be over for good-"

"Todd I can't, not never-"

"YOU CAN." I nearly shout, using the very last ounce of Noise I have left to show Viola how wonderful and strong and capable she is of ending this war.

And even without my Noise Viola can read me, can understand what I'm trying to say with just one look. It's like everything we've been thru passes over her face, a new wave of determination replacin her momentary fear.

"Okay. We'll go." She says, lookin up at Matthew. "You sure you'll be able to kill him? Because this is it, Matthew. It's the end. And I'm not risking Todd's life if it's not something you can handle-"

"I can do it." Matthew rushes to say.

"Then go, now." I say, still pressin my ears against those words.

Viola stands quickly and grabs Matthew by the shoulders, forcin him to stand up. "You take that side of the hill while I take this one! Todd, stay low or run if you have to, if we can't block you. You're the one they're going to want before either one of us!"

I don't get a chance to say anything else to Viola, as she and Matthew run off to fight the oncoming attack. I manage to move away from the chaos, watchin as they shoot, sendin the men down into the snow, but just barely-

"We need another tactic! He's just sending more!" I hear Matthew shout to Viola.

"Keep going anyways!" she responds.

I watch her thru blurred vision, my heart achin to fight beside her, tho knowin it's for the best that I'm not. I'm fightin my own battle right now, squintin my eyes, clenchin my teeth, tryin my best to keep that sayin from takin over my mind, from makin me silent, but it ain't workin. But ironically, it hurts my heart more than my head, hurts that I got us in this mess, that I'm the reason everyone has to fight because of me.

"IT'S NOT WORKING!" Matthew shouts. From the corner of my eye I see him lower his gun, and for a second I think he's about to quit.

But he doesn't. Instead he marches up to the very edge of the hill, looking down at his father and the army that's still shooting. He walks thru the bullets like he ain't scared, like they can't hurt him.

"What are you doing-" Viola starts to shout, but she goes still with silence, lowering her own gun, stepping back a few feet, once she realizes what Matthew has finally chosen to do.

To make a sacrifice-

To end this war-

Willing to lose-

In order for us to win-

His eyes are fixed on Eric. The gun pointed straight at his head.

He's finally going to kill his father.

"STOP SHOOTING!" Eric shouts to his army, coming around from the cover of his personal guards.

"End this now or I will SHOOT YOU DEAD." Matthew threatens, his hands shakin, face even more crazed than before.

"Son! We've been looking everywhere for you!" Eric exclaims, his arms outstretched, like he wants to give Matthew a hug. "Good thing you've turned up in the middle of this fight, it's still not too late to join the correct side-"

"ENOUGH." Matthew yells. "BEFORE I PUT A BULLET THROUGH YOUR HEAD."

Eric chuckles, but without the humor, and more like he's baffled at his son's proclamation.

"You will not do such a thing. Certainly not for those two, as opposed to your own family."

"What? You don't believe I'll do it? Cause I almost did last time!" Matthew shouts, his eyes widening, adrenaline pumping through his veins. "I'm TIRED of suffering because of your actions. It tore our family a part once – which is exactly why our mother is gone. Why my wife is gone. At this point, YOU MAY AS WELL BE GONE TOO."

Matthew is in such a rage that I think he's about to shoot his father right in that moment.

"Surely there is still one more member of the family you'd reconsider this decision for." Eric says. "Bring Laura out so she can speak to her brother!"

Laura is shoved from the crowd of Eric's personal guards, her arms tied up, a scarf wrapped around her mouth. She falls to her knees in the snow, looking up at her brother in desperation. Even Viola, who hates Laura, gasps in shock as she witnesses Laura's thin appearance, the cuts and bruises all over her face, neck, and collarbone. It can't be that Eric tortured his own daughter, just as an incentive for Matthew to join his side-

But if he did, it seems to work on Matthew.

And with his eyes wide, Noise troubled, completely filled with concern for his sister, he forgets the entire plan to end this war, disregards what has to be done in order to win-

And drops his gun into the snow.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER!" Matthew shouts, starting to run down the hill, but Viola grabs a hold of him, forcing him to stay back.

"Not yet Matthew! It could be a trap!" Viola yells, tryin to bring him back to reality.

"How, Viola? Those wounds on my sister are REAL!" Matthew counters.

"Indeed they are! And she will continue enduring this pain unless you bring us what we want!" Eric responds.

Even with the army hittin me with their Noise, face almost completely buried in the snow, I can still read the question that briefly crosses Matthew's mind. He turns to me, warring with his own thoughts, tryin to make a decision I should have saw comin-

He's thinkin about surrenderin-

And he's gonna do it by betrayin us.

It only takes Viola a second to realize this before lifting her gun to his head.

"Don't even think about it." Viola tells him. "Or you'll be dead before you can even lay a hand on him."

"Viola." Matthew pleads. "You're asking me to sacrifice my own sister-"

"I don't care!" she shouts, sounding harsh and heartless, but also desperate. "You aren't going to hurt Todd!"

"ANY DAY NOW!" Eric yells. "Before I send my army on you and capture YOU ALL."

"Think about it, Matthew." Viola says, quick and desperately. He's just going to keep using you and your sister to parade around New World, spreading his message of hate. If you give him what he wants, we're going to end up exactly where we started-"

"And who is we, Viola?" Matthew challenges, steppin closer to her than I'd like. For a moment, I feel my Noise spark back up, reactin to her bein' threatened.

"You, me, Todd- everyone!" She says, outstretching her arms as if what she means is obvious. But Matthew only folds his lips into his mouth, shakin his head in disbelief.

"No. There is no we, no us, Viola. Only you and Todd." He says, stabbing is finger in the air towards her, then me. "When all of this is over, who will I have to call my friends? My family?"

"Matthew, you'll still have us-"

"Oh!" he shouts with the hint of a laugh. "So what? You're going to induct me into your little council? Tell me to be friends with the old healer or the blind kid while you and Todd run off with each other, playing heroes and lovers and shooting things with your little Noise?"

Viola blinks a few times, his comment takin her aback, but she still tries to keep him on our side. "Matthew, we'll find a place for you once this is over. A place that feels like home. But giving Eric what he wants isn't the answer-"

"YES IT IS. MY SISTER IS DOWN THERE."

And just like that, Matthew makes his choice to betray us.

But it ain't me he's coming for.

He grabs onto Viola's wrist instead.

"What are you doing?!" she shouts, droppin the gun, strugglin to escape from his grasp, but failin in the attempt.

"VIOLA!" I manage to shout thru clenched teeth, usin everything I have against Eric's army to get up on my knees. The sayin is still too strong, but not enough to keep my Noise down, not completely. Tiny sparks of it come back to life, slowly, but surely, as I watch Matthew attempt to drag Viola away.

"ERIC!" Matthew yells. "I will bring you the girl!"

Eric wags a finger, shakes his head. "It's not her I want!"

"Yes, but you know that wherever she goes, Todd will follow!" Matthew reminds him.

Eric considers his point, and it only takes him a second to comply.

"Hm. Very well! Bring her to me!"

Matthew doesn't hesitate, pullin Viola along to the edge of the hill. She falls onto her knees, digs the toe of her boots into the ground, tryin her best not to be taken away.

"NO! VIOLA!" I shout, still in pain from hearin that sayin, tryin my best to will my Noise back to life.

"Todd!" She shouts desperately. "Help me!"

She yells for my help just as Matthew takes her over the hill and out of my sight. Just like that, she is gone. Taken away in an instant.

And suddenly-

The realization that it could've been the last time I'd see her-

That it could've been the last words she'd ever speak to me-

Is all it takes.

There is a warmth that flows thru my body and into my mind as the words of Eric's army disappear. Not only that, but I can feel everything pulsin thru me, all the fear I had of losin this war, all the love I have for Ben, all the happiness that Viola brings to me, all of the sadness over the people we lost, and every single wish, hope, fear, and dream of everything connected to this Land. I use that energy to bring light into my palms, not only feelin my Noise come alive, but Viola's too, just down the hill. I smile to myself, havin missed this feeling in the short amount of time it was gone, but even more so, because I know it ain't goin away anytime soon.

Cuz we're gonna win this war.

Viola and I are gonna win this war.

VIOLA! I shout, hopin that she ain't too far away and can still read my Noise.

TODD! She responds, and I jump, not only feelin her feelings, but actually hearin her voice now.

Wait, I can hear yer now?! I tell her, shocked, but Viola won't let me dwell on it.

I guess so! But we'll deal with it later! Come and help me!

I nod, usin all the strength and determination I have to run towards the hill, towards Viola, to finally end this once and for all. But before I can make it there-

An explosion goes off at the bottom of the hill.

I run the rest of the way, panicked, and look over the edge to make sure it wasn't Viola who got hit.

But of course, it was our Noise, connected once again, that did it. I see where it happened, in the middle of the hill, where Matthew lies unconscious, heat risin from his body. I look back and forth to try and find Viola, but it ain't hard to miss her, immersed in the middle of Eric's army, fightin off soldiers one at a time with the light comin from her palms. She's doin it all on her own, but I will my Noise to give her even more power, and surges of light fly from her palms, quicker, stronger, and faster now.

And she does it all with a smile on her face.

Are you just gonna stand there and watch or come and help me?! She tells me thru her Noise.

Seems like you got it all on yer own! I joke, watchin as Viola grabs onto a solider, flippin him down into the snow. I start down the hill to help fight at her side when she replies.

No, I don't. Viola tells me, still fightin with urgency, but a soft feelin comin from her Noise as she addresses me. Not without you. I knew you could do it, Todd.

And that's really all she's got to say-

Cuz if Viola believes in me-

I will too-

And I won't let her down again-

Because this is where we end this-

This is where we finally get our peace-

This is where we finally get the life we deserve.

I meet Viola at the bottom of the hill, immediately throwin my Noise at Eric's army. We fall into a rhythm beside each other, throwin our light and blastin them into the air, until there are barely any soliders left. The remainin' few try to shoot bullets at us, but the connection between us is so strong, we blast them before they even pull the trigger. They're nearly all gone now, the war seemingly over, but not until we get rid of one last person.

And he ain't nowhere to be found.

Where's Eric?! I ask Viola. She's still hittin the soldiers, beads of sweat trickling down her forehead, but she manages to respond anyways.

I don't know. He ran off as soon as I got down here.

You think he got away? I ask her.

I hope not. This has to end right now! She tells me, and I nod, agreein.

I stop shootin next to Viola and look off in the distance, squintin my eyes against the sun, lookin for Eric. If he got away, that wud give him time to create a whole new army, and we'd be right back where we started.

But that worry don't last for too long.

Cuz thru my Noise, I spot him.

Standin right behind me.

Gettin ready to shoot.

My Noise allows me to sense what Eric is goin to do before he does it, and I turn around, throwin a surge of light in his direction. He manages to stumble out of the way, back behind a group of trees, and I sprint right to them, ready to shoot another.

Ready to end him.

To kill him if I have to.

Now you want to run away scared! I say, challengin him to come out and finish the war he started. Come out and get what you asked for, Eric!

"None of this is what I wanted, Todd." He says in a voice that isn't his own, almost like he's – sorry. I try to shake this from my mind, not letting his words distract me, and sense that he's on my left. I shoot light in that direction, not even waitin to hear his explanation, but it only hits the tree, causin it to fall. The loud thump makes Viola's Noise rattle, and her worry sends an extra surge of Noise thru me.

Todd! Are you okay? She asks. I spin around to check on her, where she's using both her light and her fighting skills to punch, kick, and flip the soldiers down into the snow. Once I see that she can handle it on her own, I can respond.

Yeah, I'm alright! I tell her. Eric is just being a wuss and won't come out to get what he deserves!

"What I deserve is peace. Just like you, Todd." Eric says, comin' from around the tree on my right. When I see him, I automatically lift my hand, prepared to kill him right then and there. But with his hands up in defense, eyes askin for another chance, the last ounce of sympathy I have left takes over. I stop, only for a minute, not wanting to be the merciless person that was once the mayor. Was once Aaron.

I listen, a shaking hand lifted in defense.

"I tried to warn you of the dangers of this planet, Mr. Hewitt. Tried to get you to see that living with the Spackle is not God's way. But, I see that I am hopeless against you and your cause, and I am willing to surrender if you give me another chance."

What makes you think I believe you? I ask, immediately.

"You have my word, Todd. You know that my only intention is to spread God's message, his love for all. Allow me to do that at your side. Allow me to build a new world, a world of peace, together."

I wait to hear Viola's opinion on the matter, but her Noise is silent, waitin to hear what I'm goin to decide. Trustin me to make the right choice.

And for a moment, I'm not sure what that is. Killin Eric wud end it all, wud keep this from ever happenin again.

But killin don't gotta be the case. Without an army, Eric is powerless, and with our Noise connected again, Viola and I cud hold him as our prisoner. Maybe even help him see that the Spackle aint bad. That it is possibly to co-exist with one another.

But I don't entertain that idea for long.

A smile spreads across Eric's face when he see's that I'm considerin his point, satisfied that he's almost got the upper hand. But he's forgettin that my Noise can detect any and everything, all the thoughts and feelings and intentions of this Land. And without even realizin it, Eric exposes his entire plan to me. His plan to come back to our community, pretend like he's tryin to help to rebuild our world, but preach his teachings of evilness and hate to the settlers behind our backs. Killin Spackle without us knowin it. Rebuiding his army right under our noses.

And killin me and Viola as soon as he gets the chance.

A frown forms on his lips once he realizes I've figured it out.

You ain't never gonna change. I say, not even surprised. I ain't one to kill, but men like you don't deserve second chances.

"Todd, you do not understand." Eric still tries to say. "This world is not meant for those aliens to be a part of!"

IF THEY WEREN'T MEANT TO BE APART OF THIS WORLD, THEN WHY WERE THEY CREATED IN THE FIRST PLACE? THEY WERE HERE BEFORE US. IF ANYONE IS AN ALIEN, IT IS US! I shout, anger takin over.

Eric looks pissed at my statement that he knows is tru, but he doesn't quit tryin to prove his point.

"Mr. Hewitt, you are a disappointment to God and man alike! Taking the side of those creatures instead of behaving correctly, the way you were meant to. I should have just killed you before and used someone else's Noise when I had the chance!"

And before I can catch him, Eric shoots his gun, sending numerous bullets in my direction. I move out of the way of most, but one bullet slices threw my jacket, barely catching the skin on my side. I stumble into the snow, scrambling to get up and use my Noise to attack-

But within an instant-

The same girl-

Who is always there for me-

Always there to save me-

Is on her way to fight at my side.

Viola runs past me at full speed, throwin light at Eric as he goes flyin into the air. My eyes move to her feet, where his gun is laying in the ground, and I realize that this is our last chance. Our last opportunity.

I have to kill him. Despite how I feel about doin it, I can't let my emotions get in the way. Not with the end of this war so close, the conclusion to it all at the tips of my fingers, if I just do this one thing.

And I look at Viola, watchin as her hair blows in the wind behind her, light comin from her hands, her hope and faith and love in me, in us, flowin thru her Noise.

It's enough to make me decide. It's enough to make me choose.

I have to do it for her.

I run up to Viola, grabbin the gun in my hands, and point it to Eric who is heavin heavily in the snow in front of us. He attempts to say a final few words, but I don't allow myself to listen. Instead, I point the gun to him, fightin myself to keep my eyes open, before finally pullin the trigger.

And it goes off.

But it is not my own.

Matthew stands at the base of his hill, his own gun pointed to his father, bullet wound in Eric's chest.

Killed by his own son.

"I…" Matthew starts, but he doesn't get the words out in time. Rage fills my Noise at the person who just betrayed us, and I shoot an unforgiving surge of light towards him.

YOU STAY AWAY FROM US! I shout, even tho he don't got to, cuz I pushed him a good couple feet into the trees. From what I can see, he's unconscious, but I point my gun towards him anyways.

Todd, wait! Viola says, spinnin me towards her. She takes the gun from my hands, drops it to the ground, and tightens her grip on my shoulders. There's no need to kill him right now, Todd. The real enemy is gone!

I stare at Viola, watchin her as she watches me, and it takes a minute for the realization of what's just happened to set in. She places a slightly shaking hand on my cheek before a small smile appears on her lips, letting out a joyous little laugh.

"Do you realize what's just happened, Todd?" she asks me with her regular voice, brining me back to the Viola I'm familiar with. The Viola that I started all of this with.

"We… we won." I whisper to her, not even believing the words that leave my tongue.

She nods her head to confirm that I'm right, tears formin in her eyes and rollin down onto her cheeks. I'm compelled to wipe them away with my thumb, then snake an arm around her wasit, bringin her close to me.

And not ever wantin to let her go.

"We won, Todd. We ruddy won." She says, excitement dancin in her eyes, love overflowin in her Noise.

And we stand there like that, in the chilling silence that takes over after a battle, listenin as we take matchin breaths, watchin as our eyes water, searchin for the truth in each other's eyes, even tho we already kno it.

After all of the runnin. All of the fightin. All of the arguin.

After all of the fear. All of the worry. All of the sacrifice.

I, Todd Hewitt.

And most importantly, Viola Eade.

Saved this world.

Saved this planet.

Together.

I look her in the eyes, finally able to say this to her without worryin if it'll be my last.

"I love you, Viola Eade."

Author's Note: I definitely cried writing this chapter. I read Chaos Walking for the first time almost a year ago, and even after reading so many other books and falling in love with so many other characters, Todd and Viola are STILL my favorites. The love they have for each other and their determination to survive just makes me so happy – so writing this was such a joy! This def isn't the end of the story, I still have some post-war ideas planned, but this felt like the end of all their struggles. AHH. I hope y'all liked it!