Author's note: Hello, dreamers! I was going to update In Your Dreams first, but I decided to update this first, and knock out the last two chapters. So this one will be about Dire and Lilith trying to outrun Fate. So, enjoy!

Characters Introduced (Or First Mentioned)

Tracklist for this chapter:

Disclaimer! Any characters, ideas, locations, or stories that aren't my OCs or part of my personal ideas aren't mine and I do not claim to own them.

IX. The Truth

Fate advanced slowly towards Dire and Lilith. Sadness was etched on her face, for she didn't want to do what she was about to do.

"I'm truly sorry... You may think me a monster, but I know what's best for this story." So it was true... Fate was the Author.

Lilith's eyes widened "A-Author? It can't be!" She didn't think the Author would do something like this...

Author nodded. "Yes. It is I. I have been trying to get you to stop interfering in my story."

"But why? Why must we perish? We just want to live happily ever after!" Dire asked.

"Because of the future. If you two live, then you run the risk of destroying the entire Multiverse." Author said.

"But what will happen? What will happen if we live?" Lilith asked.

"That is a good question." The author created a portal underneath Dire and Lilith. As the two of them fell, the Author spoke as images of the bad alternate reality played around them.

1. Word will get out about the two of you being able to defy me, and soon everyone, villains included, will seek my power.

2. There will be a war for the Heart. The Nightdreamers will want to change their fates, too.

3. No one except for me should ever hold the power of the Heart. If it falls into the wrong hands, Morgana could control the story.

Those are my reasons. These are the rules. This is my story.

Dire and Lilith continued falling. They saw scenes of characters battling each other for the heart. As they fell, Lilith looked at Dire. He read her expression, and he nodded.

They decided to resign themselves to fate.

The two of them stopped falling. They faced the Author. "We're ready for whatever you (Fate) bring us," Lilith said, still holding Dire's hand.

"Very well. I hope I see you again someday, under better circumstances." The author said. Her eyes turned sad. "Dire, I'm sorry, but you'll have to go first since you were the first to leave in the original timeline.

Dire nodded. "I am ready."

"Very well. I will take both you and Lilith back to the moment when time changed. Both of you will still remember everything from this timeline." The Author said.

The author sent them back to the Battle of Imagination. Everything happened like it once did. But since Dire knew just what would happen, whispered in Lilith's ear as he died. "Until we meet again, my love."

After the battle, and after Lilith sang at the celebration, she sat stargazing, thinking of Dire. Dire, you're gone, but I'll live on until we meet again...

Author's Note: Hello, dreamers! So, there you have it! The second to last chapter! The next one will kind of be an 'epilogue part 1,' and then I'll do a traditional epilogue. So, don't forget to stay lucid!