We've made it to the final chapter! The last two were very obviously about Henry, and although I did get a few predictions about what this final chapter was going to be about, this last one is going to be a surprise. And only because no one guessed right, not necessarily because it's a better chapter or anything. In fact, it's a lot less revealing in terms of characterization than the other ones.

Either way, I still hope you like it.

"Well, well. If it isn't my favorite human. Well, after Solovet, of course."

"I believe her to be everyone's favorite."

"Yes, but if we're being completely honest here, she's actually their favorite one to hate."

"Perhaps," said Vikus, climbing off of his flier with a smile. "Good to see you are well, Ripred."

The gnawer shrugged indifferently. "I could be doing better."

Vikus nodded. "I believe we could all be doing better, my friend. However, that seems to be something that will continue to evade us in the near future."

"Yes, well, you speak of being unwell because there is no peace. I speak of being unwell because I have nothing to eat. Do you know how hard it is to find food in the Dead Lands? I tire of fish constantly. There's only so many ways you can eat it."

"I will send you a few baskets as soon as I get back to the palace."

Ripred snorted. "Of what? Grain? Fruit? Or let me guess: Pastries. That stuff might be good for you but it doesn't compare to shrimp and cream. You know that the sugar grains get stuck between my teeth?"

"And the scales of fish do not?"

"That's exactly why I need shrimp."

"The baskets of fruit are all I have to spare, I am afraid," said Vikus with a sad shake of his head.

"What about some cattle?"

The older man shifted uneasily as he thought it over. "I do not know if-"

"Just one."

"I am not-"

"One cow, Vikus."

There was a sigh and a long pause before Vikus finally said, "I will see what can be done."

Smiling, Ripred nodded at Vikus' large gray flier, Euripides. The bat gave him a friendly nod in return and a slight ruffle of his wings. He wasn't exactly the talkative kind, but at least he wasn't afraid of him. Over the years, Vikus' bond had gotten used to the rat.

"So what brings you out here, Vikus? Came for a visit out of the goodness of your heart?"

"There is an Overlander in the palace," he announced, getting straight to the point.

"So I've heard."

"His father is the man the gnawers have trapped. And that makes him the son of a sun."

Ripred turned to him, all funny business dying with Vikus' words. "The Overlander from the prophecy?"

"I believe so."

"You think he is the warrior?"

Vikus nodded slowly. "I do."

Ripred frowned as a look of confusion clouded his face. "The prisoner looked young when he first came. I didn't think he fathered children over five years old…but he could have started young, I suppose. Still, I'm not so sure a teenager can be the warrior."

There was a slight pause. "He is…not a teenager," Vikus said slowly.

"An adult already?"

"No. A child, in fact."

Ripred blinked. "How old?"

"We should not focus on age. It is all a matter of-"

"How old, Vikus?" Ripred asked through clenched teeth.

"Eleven."

"Eleven?!"

Vikus simply nodded, sending Ripred into a fit of rage which involved heavy breathing, pacing back and forth, and the cracking of his tail like a whip whenever he put emphasis on a word.

"That's perfect! We have a better chance arming a crawler with a sword and sending him out to fight our battles," growled Ripred. "Maybe we can send your friend. Pend, was it?"

"Ripred, do not underestimate him. Child or not, he could free us of much evil."

"How, Vikus? You expect him to fight a giant white rat within the next few years?"

"Perhaps he will not do it physically. You know how we tend to misinterpret the prophecies. He might fight him with words. Perhaps that is what he will teach us. He is a kind, caring boy who-"

"Kind and caring?"

"He-"

"Tell me you haven't gotten attached."

"Not attached, no. I have only-"

Ripred's groan cut off any chance for an answer. "Misinterpreting the prophecies is something we have all done in the past, fine. But I think it's pretty clear that he will lose his light when this is all over."

Vikus only sighed, shaking his head softly.

Ripred wanted to do the same. He wanted to sigh in frustration and then maybe go fight off a few plants in the jungle just to blow off some steam. This entire thing was completely maddening.

Humans and their prophecies. Why did they still believe in all that crap? It was…pointless, to say the least.

…But Ripred knew that if he wanted something done, he had to play along. And oh man was he going to have to play along if he wanted things set in motion so that Gorger's reign could finally come to an end. He could have probably done other things to make the change faster, but it would definitely have been more violent, and probably at a personal cost to him. Why not have others work for him?

"So what did you want me to do?"

At that, Vikus' demeanor changed and his face seemed to light up with hope. Ripred almost felt bad playing him.

Almost.

"Remember you when the adult Overlander was captured a couple of years ago? You and I had a conversation the very next day."

"I do remember that, actually."

"I think it is time. The ones mentioned in the prophecy will begin their quest. The boy wants to rescue his father, and I want you to lead them."

Ripred laughed. "You want me to be the 'gnawer beside'?"

"They will never make it without a guide."

Well, that was true enough. But still. Stuck with a bunch of kids who had never been outside the city limits? Bleh.

"If they succeed," continued Vikus, "You will finally be able to gain some respectable influence in the Dead Lands."

Ripred narrowed his eyes. "Is that what you're going to use to bribe me into going?"

"I will throw in a cow to that bargain."

He smiled and smacked his lips loudly. "I always knew I kept you as a friend for a reason."

"So you will do it then?"

Ripred nodded, thinking about the steak he'd have that night. "I'll pick up a few soldiers to meet you when you get here. Make sure I disappear, and kill the rest. It will only be four or five."

"When was the last time you bathed?"

"Why?"

"I think the river is a nice way to go unnoticed."

He groaned internally. "Fine. Knock me into the river, and I'll join you further in."

"Very well."

Vikus moved to get back on his flier, but Ripred extended his tail and placed it on the man's shoulder, holding him in place for a few more seconds.

"This boy better be the right one, and this entire thing better be worth it. I don't like water, and taking a swim should have its reward."

Vikus chuckled softly as he and his bond gained altitude.

"You are not the only one hoping he is the warrior, Ripred," the rat heard him say. "I assure you."

Ripred stared until the human and his bond were completely out of sight before mumbling under his breath.

"Screw the warrior. He better have been telling the truth about that cow."

Thanks to everyone who's been kind enough to read, review, and PM. I've actually gotten a few more ideas for stories just talking to you guys, and I also have some others saved and stored away that might someday find their way here, so if my schedule EVER clears up in a way that I have more time for this, it'll be a priority. Let me know what you guys thought of this, as a whole not just for individual chapters. Again, thanks so much for reading!