I do not own Chaotic nor anything related to it. It belongs to TCDigital.

-[]-[]-[]-

The Dryland Alliance, Finally Born

-[]-[]-[]-

Days of travel, and how are we greeted? Closed gates and pointed weapons. Maxxor stands in the front of a squad of soldiers, a furious scowl on his face.

"I requested the help of the Mipedian-Danian Alliance," Maxxor says with a growl in his throat. "Why is Chaor with you?"

"And you received the Mipedian-Danian Alliance, plus one," Chaor retorts. "Unless the assistance doesn't please you, in which case we'll gladly leave and let the M'arrillians slaughter you."

"And what help could Underworlders possibly give?" Maxxor counters.

Chaor shrugs. "Let me think. Oh, the Mipedians and the Danians clearly appreciate the battlegear we've traded with them. Prince Osiris in particular enjoys nigh invulnerability."

"Please don't drag me into this," I mutter.

Maxxor bares his teeth. "The Overworld can win this war without help from filthy Under-"

"Just shut up!" a woman's voice calls out.

Everyone turns to the owner of the voice. Lilth stands up next to Chaor, rests her arms on the edge of the chariot, and says, "The fate of Perim could well be in question. You and my husband can have your penis-measuring contest some other time."

Chaor blinks. "How dare you-?!" He pauses, then grins. He sits down and says, "Actually, I want to see this."

"Thank you." Lilth turns back to Maxxor. "True, maybe you can repel the M'arrillians without our help. However, there will be casualties, and the longer you take, the more casualties that will pile up."

Maxxor glares at Lilth, but says nothing.

Lilth stands up to her full height. "We're offering to supply you weapons, armor, and soldiers. We're offering to help you win this fight quickly, with more lives spared. To not accept our assistance is to say that the lives of your people are worth less than your pride."

Maxxor's eyes widen, but it's the only change in his expression, and his scowl quickly returns. "And what does the Underworld want in return for their help?"

"Dear God," Lilth mutters as each pinches the bridge of her nose. "Maxxor, this is as much for us as it is for you! We're not selling assistance, we're offering it!"

Maxxor folds his arms and grits his teeth. For a moment I'm afraid he's about to make things more difficult. However, he eventually says, "..I'll... see what you can do, but I do not make any promises." Her turns and shouts, "Open the gates!"

-[]-[]-[]-

It's a shaky alliance at best, but at least everyone has agreed to work together. Now battlegear is being optimized, strategies are being planned, and armies are being formed.

We don't have much time. The energies surrounding Lake Blakeer are still strengthening. Still, there's only so much one person can do, as I've learned the hard way. I've worked myself to exhaustion, running around and trying to keep an eye on everything.

"Michael, today you're going to rest," Isis finally says the morning of the third day into preparations.

"I can't," I say as I get out of bed. "There's weapon tests and strategist meetings and-"

I feel a hand grab my shoulder and pull me back onto the bed. Isis presses me down. "You ran around Kiru City all day for two days. Your brain is going to pop if you keep trying to be a part of everything. The preparations won't stop if you take a day off." She plants a kiss on my lips. "Also, I'm feeling a little neglected."

I chuckle, "Later, if anyone asks why I wasn't helping out today, I'm pointing at you."

"Fair enough," Isis grins as she straddles my waist.

-[]-[]-[]-

People who romanticize making love just before a big battle obviously haven't been in such a situation. There's always the thought in the back of your mind saying, "This could be the last we'll ever see each other," and it all becomes stressful, and after the finish, nobody's really satisfied.

Isis pierces the uncomfortable silence. "Michael?"

I turn my head towards her. "Yes, Isis?"

Isis bites her lower lip. "If... if you die out there, what do you think will happen?"

"I don't know," I lie.

Isis reaches out and places her hand on my cheek. "Lately, each night, I've been having the same dream. I see you out there, fighting, and you end up dying. But then I see you standing up, looking exactly like you did the day you arrived in Perim. You reach out, open a door that wasn't there before, and step through."

I'm speechless. I place my hand on the back of hers.

Isis takes a breath and lets it out. "I think... I think I know what my dreams are telling me. I think that, if you die... you'll go back home, to Earth, as if you'd never left."

It's scary how close she is to the truth.

Isis blinks away tears. "If... if this is true...?"

I embrace Isis. "If it's true, I'll... I'll write down my life here. From the day I arrived to the day that I die."

Isis looks into my eyes. "For yourself? Or for everyone?"

I think for a while. "I'm not sure, not yet."

"Would anyone believe you?" she asks.

"I don't know," I admit. "Maybe a few."

"Those people who are here now would believe you," Isis grins.

It's best I don't mention that nobody else here is real. "Yeah, they probably would."

Isis giggles. "I wonder how you'll be treated by them back on Earth. Practically everyone here knows you."

I wrap my arms around Isis's chest and hug her tightly. "Let's stop talking about dying and focus on living, okay?"

Isis buries her face in my shoulder. "I'm sorry. It was bothering me, I had to say something."

"It's okay," I whisper as I pat her back. "It's okay."

-[]-[]-[]-

Up next: The Marching Song

-[]-[]-[]-

Like I said before, Chaotic belongs to TCDigital.

If you like the story, please follow and leave a review!