Author's Note: Ack! FF.net screwed up my fonts! GRRRRRRRRR! Anger…much, much anger…oh well. I'll try the bold and italic again…maybe, I will update that last chapter again and see if it will work the second time around. Well, now that my little rant is over with, I guess I should go on and say "THANK YOU" to all the people who are continually supporting this fic and its creator!

THANK YOU!

And to think…when I first started this fic, I was going to limit myself to only 13 Chapters and now look…it's just a novel, that is growing up so quickly! (Tears)

(Groups self together) Okay…well, I hope you all enjoy the next exciting update and feel free to cheer on your favorite leaders! Some of them need a morale boast!

Again, thank you all so much! You guys are terrific!

Hugs to All,

Quiet thief

…….

The guard stood by the prisoner's cell door, hardly flinching as the prisoner threw his body against the entrance, using all of his weight and strength to free himself from his cage. It was sealed well by the warden, a man with many years of experience at his side, so all thoughts of the prisoner's breakout were placed all the way in the back of the guard's brain. Parole was a word that was hardly, hardly ever uttered and the prisoners kept that in their black hearts. All except one; he was a special case of the warden. He was physically strong and placed under numerous tests to break his wild spirit. The old fashion racks and chains were useless against his stamina and new techniques had to be conjured and tested. Every little or big device that was placed before him was useless. He focused his rage upon one being; everything else was pointless and not worth his time.

The guard stood straight and tall, never once turning his attention to a dark-haired being who seemed to float down the stairs. The warden walked behind her, his head lowered in respect. This is someone important, thought the guard, but the question is who? Who is this being that controls even our fearless warrior?

The banging stopped suddenly and was replaced by a low, dangerous growl. "What did I do to deserve such an honor?" asked the prisoner, his tone indicating sarcasm. "What can little ol' me do for you?"

The being was not amused and the warden ushered the guard off to the side. "You will address her with the respect she deserves! You hear me!"

"Loud and fucking clear, Warden!"

The warden turned towards her, shaking his head. "He is the most stubborn son of a bitch I've ever met. We've tried everything in the book to get him to crack, but he has met all of our torments with a smile. If he refused to obey you, feel free to use your own power upon him. I'll look the other way."

She nodded.

"Then I wish you the best of luck. Guard, let her in!"

The shocked look on the guard's face was expected. "But sir, he'll eat her alive! There is no way that I can condone such a action!"

"Let me pass." The petit looking being held a tone that was low and dangerous, the same one the prisoner owned, yet it was different. It sounded more like a royal speaking to a lowly commoner.

The guard stared at the bright green eyes of the being and heeded to her command. "I don't understand this…but then again, I don't understand what the High Powers are planning on doing when they all come together. Perhaps, it is best to be ignorant." He pulled out the door key, said a quick chant of safety, and opened the door for the feminine being to enter.

She nodded once and the warden immediately shut it afterwards. "She'll knock three times when she has subdued him, more if and only if she is not getting through to him. I would say open the door if it is more than five. Otherwise stand there and do what you've always been doing. Absolutely nothing."

…….

She stood before him, unafraid of what he might do to her. She was his first visit in over 2 decades of solitude; quickly, she noticed his hungry eyes and the sinful smirk that grew across his lips. Everything about him reeked of sabotage and betrayal, for it had a very distinct tang; almost like death. It was said in her lessons that deeds of treason killed the heart, which explained the decomposition smell that loomed over the prisoner. She concentrated on her breathing, trying to eliminate the stench, while he stood up and took a few steps towards her. "You're trying to make this difficult." Her voice was low, not sultry, and in it held a tone that made his heart want to stop. "I would suggest that you sit back down and listen to what I have to offer you. It's something you wanted for a very long time."

His smirk grew bigger. "I figured as much."

Narrowing her eyes, she matched his advances. "Do you dare temp my patience?" Her eyes flashed and crackled with inner lightening. "This is only a short-term release; you will do as I say, you will follow every direction without question, and you will not harbor any thoughts of betrayal. Do you understand?"

"Sure, I get it. But what's in it for me?"

"Excuse me?"

"Deaf are you? Or stupid? I say it slower. What – is – in – it – for – me?" He stopped his advances, cautious, but completely remained very calm. "I hate cages and I hate being displayed for your amusement; I want something in return for my services…something that will make me extremely happy. I want what many men want." With that, he reached out and tucked a piece of stray hair behind her ear. "You get what I'm saying?"

Grabbing his hand and twisting it away from his body, she answered. "You get to rest…that's what you get, Malachi. The blood that should have remained on your hands will be yours once again. She has risen them and you shall be the one to cut them down like the wretched weeds that they are. None of them should have returned, even He knows this…but He allowed it to happen. And She…"

Malachi grinned. "…your mother."

She twisted it further. "That bitch is not my mother, Malachi. Learn your place when in my presence." She twisted until he was down on knees before continuing on. "She wanted more power…after all, She is the Giver of Death…and Her foe was the Giver of Life; She already destroyed that foe in the first world…all She needs now is to destroy the vessel that Life has chosen in this world. Killing the chosen vessel in this world will allow Her to kill those She chooses…without Life, Death will be unstoppable. And He Who Walks Behind the Rows will be able to raise an army…an unstoppable force of nature…He will kill what God has given and what the Devil wishes to own. Because He is jealous of what the others have: power."

"No one enjoys being left out of the game do they?" asked Malachi as he winced when he felt the pressure grow stronger.

"No one enjoys being forgotten."

…….

Cyrus stared at Micah who continued to ignore him; Fumbles padded over to join his master while Isaac and Admatha discussed ways for disposing of Raven and Kyle for the next battle. The smallest and quietest children found tracks left by Kyle, but they soon vanished. Two of the older children were found dismembered and partially eaten; which only meant that Kyle and Raven were healing rather quickly and preparing for another attack that night. Cyrus however, was not completely healed. His emotional state still needed sometime. Micah was commanded to lead the children in the next wave; Isaac was asked first but declined, stating that he wanted to relax until it was his turn to defend his entitled throne. Cyrus, petting Fumbles, narrowed his eyes when Micah faced him.

"Is there something I can help you with, Cyrus?"

Cyrus petted his beloved and loyal companion, whose eyes never left his master's face. "Yes, Micah…there is something you can help me with. Help me understand why He Who Walks Behind the Rows chose you? What is it about you and made Him want to pick you…after all, did you not deny Him at first? Did you not question all that He asked of you? Did you not tremble at your first kill? Did you not weep for those who betrayed Him? Did you not hate yourself for striking against the wicked?"

Micah snickered at Cyrus, but did not answer.

"I should have been the leader…you know that as well as I do. I should have been the one to take that place. He chose you…because He liked you more than I. Beauty over brains I guess."

"Be not angry at I, Cyrus; He chose you not because you were not worthy enough. You enjoyed blood too much…He wanted worship. Even Malachi paid a price for his own lust. Isaac killed him with his own bare hands. Cross me and I shall do the same."

"An empty threat to go with an empty body I see," answered Cyrus; Fumbles concurred with a growl. "A soulless coward like you should have remained ashes; after all, even your father knew that you were worthless. Why else would he hate you so much?" He struck a nerve; out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Micah straighten up and grow tense. "Your mother should have known better; giving life to you must have been like giving life to a worm…after all, a worm's only purpose in this life is to eat dirt. That's your calling in life, Micah…to eat dirt."

A resounding smack echoed throughout the hidden hideout.

…….

He remembered. The only questioned that remained now was whether or not he wanted to keep those memories of her, a being who cared for him longer than even he thought possible. She was no angel and she was no demon; she was just another being who was trying to find herself and the role she fit best in. She was please to find him moving about, breathing but she also needed reassurance. If things went well, if he won and lived, would he still be the same person? Or would he change with power?

Questioning his and her existence was something his mind did not want to comprehend at this point.

He walked onward, his guide paying him no heed. She was busying pointing every single cow she saw. Scenic routes…who knew that they caused so much trouble?

…….

Admatha turned around quickly, her pale blue eyes fiercely glowing. Though she was slow to anger, the sound of the smack was something that she could not tolerate. It meant disobedience in the ranks, which would ultimately lead to war within; that could jeopardize everything else. Summoning up supernatural winds, her white/blonde hair and formal robes billowed out from behind her. "Do you both dare to test my patience?" she asked, her tone dropping to freezing levels. As she walked towards them, ice formed with each step; Isaac and Ezekiel stepped back and watched from a distance that he deemed safe, while Micah and Cyrus had no choice but to stay put and face whatever wrath was coming their way. Idbash ushered the Silksters towards the farthest corner, leaving the bones of Silver to lay where they were. "DO YOU DARE TO TEST MY PATIENCE!" she roared with all of her might; the baby Silksters hid behind their mother, while the rest of the pack took towards the ceiling. "Do you dare test the power of one who could crush you with just the blink of an eye?" The bones on the ground shattered at the sound of her voice and the room began to quake in fear.

Cyrus visibly trembled, while Micah simply stayed put. His own dark eyes seemed to flash with inner courage, but he never had to deal with Admatha.

"Oh young, promising Micah…" began Admatha, her voice holding no sympathy or concern, "…how it pains me to see you disregard my rank. And He had such high hopes for you." And with snake-like quickness, she aimed her words towards Cyrus. "And you, dear boy…you were left for dead in your house of horrors. Is this how you treat your savior?"

Micah and Cyrus looked once at each other.

"Such jealousy will not be tolerated. This is my word. Obey it. Heed it. Worship it."

Micah looked away as Admatha drew back her own hand. "Praise be to He Who Walks Behind the Rows," she snarled.

…….

Shade and Josiah walked side by side, hardly speaking a word to each other. There was really nothing to be said, only what was absolutely important. He would show, he would fight, and he would or would not die. And she would be there to help him no matter what. If he died, she would follow. If he lived, she would serve him. That was really all there was to it.

"We are close by," she said suddenly, taking Josiah off guard.

"We are?" He scanned what he could, but all that lay in front of him was more and more rows of corn.

"She has hidden her fortress from prying eyes. And we are being watched." She lowered her head and picked up her pace.

"By whom?"

"An enemy of hers…" she said in voice barely above a whisper. "…an enemy who is exuding anger…much anger. We should move quickly. Very quickly."

"What enemy does she have that makes you fearful?" asked Josiah; he placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her briefly.

"I fear her not. But you should. Therefore, it is in your best interest that we leave now." She picked up her pace and began again. "We will reach the sanctuary soon…stay with me. She will strike…she will strike if you remain unaware of her presence."

"What is she?"

Shade picked up her head, very slightly. "She is of flight."

…….

Kyle awoke from her nap when Raven returned to their hiding place. The abandoned barn on the edge of town was the most obvious place to be, yet was the most over-looked. His remained in his shape, while she changed back into the human she had grown to enjoy. "Josiah is here, Kyle. The leaders are returning to their sacred ground. It's a frightening pilgrimage. Soon Eli will return. And then the demon followers will aid them in their quest. Job, Burt, Vicky, Danny, Lacey, Grace, Margaret, and Allison will feel their pain return to their hearts. They will awaken to a new age. The age of their destruction."

"And our forces are not enough?"

Raven turned and faced him. Her eyes spoke no lies. She never had the ability to. "We could not defeat a simple boy. A boy who was given powers that he could not possibly understand. No, we need more than our strength. We some one else on our side in order to stop this. Someone much more powerful than us."

"Shit."

Raven changed again and took flight, scanning the surrounding area. Hoping to find a weakness, any weakness.

…….

Cyrus hit the wall with a loud crack. He screamed and Fumbles ran to him, barking out worriedly; Idbash cautiously walked over to the injured boy, though she kept her eye on Admatha, wondering if she had it out for her as well. Isaac narrowed his eyes when Micah smiled. Admatha advanced again, driving Idbash back towards the Silksters; Fumbles growled and snapped at the deity, but quickly found himself running towards Idbash. Cyrus was left to cry in pain.

"Thou shalt not covet, Cyrus…thou shalt not covet."

…….

"Will you cooperate?"

"Yes…if I get to kill him again. Yes."

"Remember, if I like you do, you may reside on earth again. With your old body; it'll be your parole."

"Of course."

"Then, you are freed. To cause the destruction of…"

…….

Amanaka narrowed her eyes when she noticed Leah making her way towards the chosen place; though she had never had the honor to fight Leah, there had been stories. The wolf part of her was most vicious, a monstrosity when in battle. "There is no possible way that that she could be as strong as they say. There is no possible way. But I could always test her out…yes, a test would be useful. After all, this battle only wants the best." Slipping back into her beast form, she dropped to the ground and made her way back towards Gatlin; she had to meet her own charge.

…….

Sorry about that upload thing. There were no spaces between different scenes when it was uploaded for the initial viewing (twitch, twitch). I hope this works…cause Lord knows, I am tired of fixing it. Enjoy!

And for those who worry, Malachi will be playing a very big role in this fic!

Hugs, Quietthief