FINALLY, finally, chapter 13 is up! I had a SEVERE case of writer's block, but nowI have the next few chapters all planned out, and it should be smooth sailing. Plus, it was a holiday weekend, and I have a new writing project that I'm starting with my friend...whew, but this story is still going full steam ahead, I WILL finish it. In answer to Dancergirl51, there's actually only a few more chapters left, and a sequel following it. If y'all likeTHIS story, that is...

"Danger can only be overcome by more danger"

-Greek proverb

"If you define cowardice as running away at the first sign of danger, screaming and tripping and begging for mercy, then yes, Mr. Brave Man, I guess I'm a coward."

-Jack Handy, SNL writer and comedian

Ethan

"I think 'The Named' has a much better ring to it than 'The Chosen'." Dillon is sitting on the couch in Rochelle and Neriah's house, watching a bad comedy and guzzling root beer and popcorn.

"You just don't like the idea of being replaced," Rochelle grins. She's busy playing with Gabe on the floor, tickling his tummy, rewarded by a giggle. Seeing her softness when it comes to the little boy makes me smile and laugh quietly to myself. She hears and looks up, cocking an eyebrow inquisitively. Which, really, only makes me smile wider. "What?"

"Nothing," I shake my head, grinning at her until Dillon chucks popcorn at my head. "Ow. What?"

"You're pathetic."

"We're not being replaced anyway, just helped." Isabel speaks up from her place in the kitchen, teaching Arkarian how to make iced tea.

"And this little dude is going to be a leader." Shaun smiles affectionately at Gabe. "Wow…I feel old."

"Don't you though?" Jimmy slaps him on the shoulder. "We're becoming outdated. Like Cher."

"Like blue eyeshadow." Isabel adds.

"Leather pants." Rochelle nods.

"Cassette tapes." Neriah joins in.

"Late fees!"

"Curfews!"

"The Go-Gos!"

"Paul Newman."

"Hey, he's sexy!"

"Hon, he's like eighty."

"Hey I have an idea," Matt speaks up, kneading his temples. "Let's talk about our current problems."

"Like what?"

"Oh, I don't know…the Wrenbeasts?" he deadpans. "Which, just for the record, are programmed to kill us, are extremely capable of it, and obey only Marduke."

"Oh." Rochelle breathes out. "Those Wrenbeasts."

There is a silence that stretches out way past normal. Even Gabe is silent, probably because he's conked out on Rochelle's lap.

"Well, at least we know about them," I say, mainly to break the silence. "And what's more- Marduke doesn't know that we know. He still thinks that it's going to be a surprise attack."

"So?" Dillon, Jimmy, Neriah, and Isabel all look at me like I'm stupid. It's Rochelle that begins to pick up my train of thought.

"Ethan's right!" she exclaims suddenly, sitting up as fast as she can without waking Gabe. "He won't be prepared for any kind of attack."

"We can't attack them where they are." Isabel says. "The orphanage and village are too close. And this isn't going to be some little skirmish either. There are thirty or so demons there."

"We have our weapons though," Matt says thoughtfully. "Any attack he could throw at us we could handle now, thanks to our foreknowledge."

"So we have to get him to attack us, but make it seem as though it was his idea?" Jimmy clarifies. "Golly gee whiz."

"Yep," Matt says. "Any ideas on how to do that?"

Complete silence again. My brain is working overtime, but it's not coming up with anything. Surprisingly, it's Dillon who looks enlightened for once.

"Hey, Jimmy?"

"Yes?"

"Are the new fortifications up on Veridian?"

"Well…yes, but they're not completely foolproof yet-"

"Listen," Dillon interrupts excitedly. "Marduke isn't stupid. He's figured out that we drained Veridian, and he knows something's up. He's curious. So what's the one place we know he'll watch now?"

"Veridian." Arkarian breathes. "Dillon…it's brilliant."

"Yeah, it actually kind of is, isn't it?" Dillon looks pretty surprised at himself.

"What's brilliant?" Neriah asks. "What plan?"

"Marduke wants inside the ancient city. He also wants us dead. If a few of usjust happen to be there, testing out the traps, well….is there a better time to attack? After they kill us, the Wrenbeasts can probably smash their way in." Dillon explains.

"How cheerful." Rochelle deadpans.

"Wait, not done yet. However…the Wrenbeasts won't smash us because we'll be ready, and the rest of us will be on standby until the beasts come. We can even use the booby traps and mazes for tools in fighting."

"Shit…Dillon, that's good!" Isabel gets an excited look on her face as she catches on.

"EXCEPT, that Marduke could possibly see the new prophecy, which is NOT good," Matt points out, as is his pessimistic, immortal duty.

"No, he won't!" Rochelle puts in. "Because Ethan can use his powers of illusionment to scramble it, or hide it for awhile."

Ethan? That's me. "Sure. I can do that," I nod. Matt's slowly starting to come around.

"Matt, we've got no other plan." I point out.

"It's very…risky."

"Matt, everything here is risky. That's why we get paid so much."

The room laughs harder than the weak joke warrants. Apparently everyone is just as apprehensive as Matt, just much better at hiding it.

"Matt," Jimmy steps in. "It's either do this now, or wait until Marduke has created so many Wrenbeasts that we have no chance of overcoming them, and he attacks us on unfamiliar territory."

"fine." Matt says after a minute. "Tomorrow evening. Not too early."

"Good." Arkarian stands as everyone lets out a collective breath of air. "I can find a way to let Marduke hear tiny whispers of our 'plan'."

"Tomorrow, then." Dillon gets up to leave, followed by Matt, Isabel, Arkarian, my father, and Jimmy.

"Hey, Matt?" Rochelle asks hesitantly.

"Yeah?" he looks worried and wary.

"Is that blue-cloud-shield thing going to stain? Because I just washed the walls and the ceiling..."

"What? Oh." Matt vanishes the stuff, which doesn't leave behind any trace. Rochelle lets out a tiny sigh of relief.

I follow her as she carries Gabe to the tiny bed that she and Neriah bought, situated in a little nook in the living room. "My nerdy girlfriend actually washed the ceiling?"

"Oh, bite me," she said playfully in a whisper, tucking the blankets under Gabe.

"Not until we're in your bedroom. It might wake Gabe."

She laughs softly. "Oh, no mister. We have a big day tomorrow."

"Yes, but not until night. So technically, I can stay late, because we can sleep in."

"Ethan, you're horrible."

"Both of you are horrible. I'm tired, go to sleep." Neriah's still there, cleaning up. Rochelle blushes.

"Maybe I could just sleep here?" I ask Neriah, since I'm pretty sure Rochelle won't mind.

"As long as you promise to only sleep," the immortal grins wickedly.

"Neriah!" Rochelle blushes redder.

"You look like a tomato." I observe, hugging her. She buries her hot face in my chest.

All night long I am restless, sometimes dozing and waking with a jerk from my nightmares. Nightmares of the last battle between good and evil, and how that almost ended.I can't lose anyone like that, especially Rochelle.This plan is dangerous; we're deliberately putting ourselves in the most perilous situation possible. All night long, I can't help but wonder:

How can we all survive this?

And they might not all survive it. Coming up: a possible death or two, or maybe even three, and the battle in Veridian. Next chapter should be up soon, but I can't promise. Reviews actually DO help my fingers type faster, believe it or not, even if it's only to tell me how much you liked it, or are dreading the next chapter. THANK YOU so much to those who reviewed last time! Until next time,

-HaLo-