The Way, The War, and The End – Chapter 7

For the people who happen to be blind, on the bottom left of the page. There is a button that I insist YOU to push… and I demand you type a review about the story. So far the reviews have been excellent and I am pleased with the number of views. Now that I think about it Ibris, you are indeed right. Not all good stories have to have sex. I do not own any of the characters in this chapter, and I have changed the title of the story to suit what is to come in my story. I have decided to not end this story in a matter of a few chapters, but instead, I have decided to go as far as I can go by adding something to the plot. Anyways enjoy!

Will opened his eyes, and found he was sleeping with sheets covering him. It was sunny. Will looked at his watch. 9AM. He allowed the events that took place at the grove last night to be absorbed. Will looked next to him. Lyra was still asleep with her dark golden hair sprawled over the grass. 'Wow,' Will thought, 'she looks so beautiful.' Only then, did Will realise that he had no clothes on. Will deducted that their daemons brought the covers as he noticed the two daemons lying next to them. Will then put his lips to Lyra's and waited a moment before her lips moved against his. 'Good morning, Will,' Lyra said, with a smile on her face. This is how they would wake each other in the morning now.

Will noticed her face turn scarlet and he in turn, blushed bright red as he noticed Lyra did not have any clothes on either. After much fumbling with their clothes, while putting it on, Will and Lyra decided to meet up with Mary who was waiting patiently at the beach. With a smile she said, 'Did you enjoy last night?' Mary noticed their startled faces and said, 'It's not that hard to tell what happened last night.'

'Yeah I suppose,' Will and Lyra said.

'Right now we need to get back.' Mary said.

'Yes, we do,' Will said.

And together, they thought of Will's home. It was only moments later until they snapped out of the trance state to find themselves in the cosy home. It was good to be back. Pan and Kirjava went out into the garden and played, while Will and Lyra went out. Will knew it was the weekends, and decided to go out.

While walking around, many of Will's acquainted students were curious at the couple's sudden appearance. Many people had not seen Will around another girl before, and it was almost unreal. Will had always avoided woman, and denied any who tried… never mind that they were beautiful and smart, Will would deny them. Girl after girl would attempt to win the heart of the strong, silent and handsome Will. Instead, it seemed Will wasn't as quiet anymore. Students quietly observing the scene, would find Will cracking jokes at Lyra. Not one person around actually knew the girl who was with the seemingly impossible Will. Onlookers could not help but marvel at how beautiful the girl looked.

After a long day, Will and Lyra went back. However, Will was preoccupied with only one thought. 'What now?' Little did Will notice that Lyra was also thinking of the exact same thing. As they came back home, Mary greeted them, and the lovers went up into the bedroom. Will closed the door behind him and said, 'Lyra, I need to talk to you.'

'So do I Will,' said Lyra.

There was a brief silence before Will said, 'So… what now?'

'I don't know,' said Lyra, but then she beamed, 'why don't we ask the alethiometer!'

Lyra pulled out the alethiometer and moved the dials to the baby meaning the future and the hourglass meaning time. And Lyra focused fully on the question, 'What now?' The dials moved, and pointed to the helmet, Lyra thought of war, the next dial moved to the sun, Lyra thought of authority, it then moved to sword, Lyra thought of the church, the dial moved to the Alpha and Omega symbol, Lyra thought of inevitability, the dial moved three times after that, landing on the hourglass, Lyra thought of death, and then to a bird, Lyra was unsure of this, and then to the anchor, Lyra then thought hope.

'Well what does it say?' Will asked, wondering himself what was to happen in the future.

'I'm not entirely sure myself,' Lyra said, 'the alethiometer tells me of a war, and then some authority in the form of the church and then something to do with inevitability…' Lyra started shaking, 'it told me something to do with death, and then the alethiometer pointed to a bird. I have no idea what it actually means. And then it pointed to the anchor, symbolising hope.'

'A war?' Will said, astounded at the answer, 'what do you think it means by a war?'

'I don't know…,' Lyra said, sounding a little worried, 'but I'm sure we'll figure it out.'

'And so you will today,' said a familiar voice.

Both looked behind to find the door open, and standing in the doorway was Xaphania with an apparent frown on her face. Both Will and Lyra said, 'Xaphania?'

'Yes it is,' said Xaphania maintaining her frown, 'but it is my responsibility to tell you what is happening.'

'What do you mean?' Lyra asked.

'War is coming, children,' Xaphania said.

'War?' Will said in utter bewilderment.

'Yes, unfortunately so,' Xaphania said, bowing her head, 'an angel by the name of Hathrow has been planning this for centuries in fact along with many other angels that allied with him. Apparently, Metatron was but a pawn in this game…'

Just at the point Mary had entered, 'Oh who might this be?'

'I am the angel Xaphania,' Xaphania said, 'please sit down and let me explain.'

'It was not until recently, that Hathrow attacked our haven, and we all had to flee against the astonishing numbers he possessed. We have a rough idea how he managed to recruit such numbers. I have tried to rally angels still alive from the battle.'

'And how are we involved,' Lyra said.

'Apparently, Hathrow wants you all dead,' Xaphania said

'Why?' Will said.

'You three are all that stands in his way,' Xaphania began, 'Lyra is now able to read the alethiometer which will be useful, Mary has the spyglass, which could be able to spot enemies far away, and Will is the worst threat.'

'How come?' Mary asked.

'Will has potential,' Xaphania began, 'if given time and experience, Hathrow realise that he could be a dangerous leader.'

'What do you mean?' Will said, 'I'm no leader.'

'And that's where you are wrong,' Xaphania said, 'you already know how to fight well. Also, you are hope to many people. In many worlds, your tale is already known, you are known by many as a strong fighter.'

'But that doesn't mean I can lead an army,' Will said, 'I can't bear to send people to their deaths like that!'

'But you already know where that leads,' Xaphania said.

Will knew she meant the land of the dead, where they would follow a path to a gap in the air where the harpies would guard it and would only ask for one thing… true stories.

'And is this how we build the republic of heaven?' Will said, 'I'm supposed to be some commander of an army I do not know and spread the message.'

'I am not sure,' Xaphania said, 'but the objective at the moment is rallying allies against the enemy. If you think this is how you build the republic of heaven, then so be it, Lyra has already ended destiny and the future is clouded with darkness.'

'Where do we start then?' Lyra said.

'Iorek Byrnison!' said Will, 'with his bears and Serafina with the other witches.'

'Good idea,' Mary said, 'but how do we get from Lyra's Oxford to Svalberd?'

'We can ask the Gyptians!' Lyra said.

'Good idea,' Will said.

'We have to be there as soon as we can, I fear Hathrow may be planning an attack there,' Xaphania said.

And so, as soon as they had arrived in Lyra's world, Xaphania headed north first to alert Iorek to the situation. The Gyptians prepared for the long journey northward once again. Lyra helped as much as she could on board the ship and so did Will. Will's strength was more apparent to Lyra at the point. He had caught her after falling from the sails, while mending it. Mary at night would pull out the spyglass and stare into the sky observing the Dust that was quiet. It was eerie watching Dust act this way, it was all quiet. 'A little too quiet if you ask me,' Mary thought. The trip took over two weeks, and as soon as they hit shore, they headed towards Svalberd.

It was about 5PM when they had reached Svalberd. It was getting dark, and they saw the castle, only a few hundred metres away after climbing up a snow hill. From a distance they could see that the catapults were loaded and they could also see Xaphania as a radiant light.

As they reached the gates, Iorek came out to greet them. Lyra embraced him, 'Iorek, it's good to see you are okay.'

'Indeed, it has been a while,' Iorek said, 'and it has been a long while since I have seen Will as well.'

Being polite, Will took a bow, 'And it has been a long time too, Iorek.'

'Please, you do not need to bow to me,' Iorek said, 'the matter at hand is that you arrived in time. Xaphania has explained everything to me, and I understand what is happening.'

'I did some earlier scouting before you came,' Xaphania said, 'It appears Hathrow already knows of our presence here and has sent the Russians. He plans to eliminate us if possible and as quickly as possible.'

'We have already prepared the defences,' Iorek began, 'the plan is to defend Svalberd!'

'No, we already talked about this Iorek,' Xaphania said, 'I have called for help from the warriors of Hrat. They have sent boats to transport the bears and the Gyptians.'

'How long do we have to hold them for?' Will asked.

'Twenty-four hours from now,' Xaphania said.

Will turned from Xaphania to Lyra and asked, 'Lyra I need you to use the alethiometer to find out what the enemy is planning.'

'Okay, but first, how are Will and I supposed to defend ourselves?' Lyra asked.

'I've already constructed weapons for the both of you,' Iorek said and with that he handed Will a shield and sword, but they weren't ordinary ones. It glistened in the dim light there was left and was made of a metal that seemed so similar to that of Iorek's armour. Will admired how light it actually was, but knew it was tough as well.

'It's made out of sky-metal isn't it?' Will asked.

'Yes it is,' Iorek said, 'and for Lyra, although you might have little need for it, take it.' And Iorek handed a revolver which shone proud in the moonlight. It had a tough looking barrel, and had the look of a worthy weapon. Iorek then handed Lyra a two packets of ammo. 'Learning to wield the gun is important, but learning how to use it is even more important. Remember that.'

'I will,' said Lyra, 'and thank you,' and gave Iorek Byrnison another hug.

Lyra then turned to the alethiometer, and placed the symbols as follow, the serpent which represents evil, hourglass meaning time, and the helmet to represent the battle that is to take place. Lyra put all her concentration into the alethiometer and came out with a result. The alethiometer pointed to the Alpha and Omega symbol which is inevitability, an anchor for steadfastness, and many other symbols after that.

Lyra turned to the others and said, 'The alethiometer tells me that it is inevitable that we will abandon Svalberd, but we must remain where we are and keep our head high and our eyes open for whatever happens. The enemy plans to break the walls using some explosive, this will be their objective. The alethiometer says that they will not break the wall and we will hold them for most of the morning.'

'Most' of the morning,' said Mary.

'Yes, but by the time that has happened, the boats will have arrived, because of good weather and wind,' said Lyra.

'I still feel irritated though,' said Iorek, 'Svalberd has been under siege before and time after time, we have prevailed. Why should I abandon it now.'

'There's something else the alethiometer mentioned,' said Lyra, 'something dark and evil is heading here but we will have left before he arrives. The alethiometer tells me he will pursue us.

'That is good,' said Xaphania, 'it is good to know this. Right now, I'm sure all of us would like some rest.'

'Yes,' they all said in unison. And each headed to their assigned quarters as given by Iorek.

Will slept in a room with Lyra and both kissed goodnight and fell asleep…

I swear this is probably the moment I had to think about a lot! I had to think very much about how the plot was going to turn out after last chapter. So… anyone wanna make a guess what the Bird means on the alethiometer at the time. Believe me it's more obvious than you think ;) I apologise for any typos and errors as like many writers, they work on their stories pretty damn late and they don't realise it until it is published.(rofl) Ibris thx you for the advice on names and thx you for noting the alethiometer. I forgot that you could only use three symbols to ask a question. My bad, probably too sleepy at the time. That is always the trickiest part for me. Thx you all and until next time Love Triumphs Over All!!