Darkness Falls Chapter 24
By Gemini83
The meeting was over, Avalanche and the Turks were deep in thought about
what they should do.
Seto was also there, and offered his advice, “we must not worry about
the preparations, everything is in place. We can do no more.”
Reeve took a deep breathe, “but what will we do in the meantime, count
the minutes until they come?”
Cloud voiced his opinion, “no, that won’t do us any good. We need
to be relaxed before the final push. If we lose our calm, we will lose
everything.”
“What should we do then?” asked Elena.
“What did you do to prepare for Sephiroth,” asked Kaede, “how
did you prepare for Meteor?”
Cloud nodded, “you know, there was something that calmed me
down.”
“And that was?” asked Rude.
“I spent the night with Tifa,” he replied, then inwardly winced
at how that sounded.
“What?” blinked Reno, “you mean you guys-”
“NO!” shouted Tifa and Cloud in unison.
“Not that night anyway,” said Barret under his breathe.
The others hid their laughs as Cloud and Tifa gave them venomous
stares.
Kaede nodded, urging Cloud to continue.
“I meant that we talked to each other,” said Cloud, glancing at
Reno, “it helped us to forget our troubles.”
“Yeah,” exclaimed Cid, “I remember, I went back to Rocket
Town.”
He smiled at Shera, who smiled back.
“And I went and saw Marlene,” continued Barret.
“We all went somewhere to relax,” finished Vincent, “somewhere
that we could forget our troubles.”
“It helped us remember what we were fighting for,” reasoned Cloud,
“made us more determined.”
Kaede nodded, “a wise course of action. I couldn’t think of a better
idea myself.”
“Okay then guys,” said Cloud, “let’s mo-”
He took a quick look at Cid, who threw his arms up in dismay. Cloud grinned
as he said, “let’s move.”
“Thank God,” whispered the captain.
The various members of the group went back to their hometowns, to take a
final look before the battle started. Barret took Marlene to North Corel,
while Reeve and the Turks opted to go to Midgar. Cid and Shera went to Rocket
Town, Nanaki returned with his father to Cosmo Canyon. Yuffie took Vincent
to visit her father in Wutai, while Tifa and Cloud went back to Villa Cloud.
Aeris and her mother joined them, as did Kaede.
Always his favorite pastime, Kaede was walking along the beach with Aeris
by his side. They held each other close as they gazed at the night
sky.
“I wonder how long we’ll be able to see the stars like this?”
asked Aeris.
“Don’t worry Aeris,” answered Kaede, “you’ll see
them again.”
“Promise?”
“Sure,” answered the Planeswalker, “can’t lie to my beloved
now can I?”
Aeris grinned, “which reminds me...my mother wasn’t all that surprised
when I told her.”
“I know,” said Kaede, “like she had a sixth sense about
it.”
Aeris laughed, “I can’t believe she called you a ‘good
catch.’”
He frowned, “what, I’m not?”
“No, no, of course you are,” smiled Aeris, “it’s just
that I never thought of you as a...catch...before.”
Kaede smiled back at Aeris, “I’m glad I’m getting to spend
these final moments of peace with you.”
Now it was Aeris’ turn to frown, “don’t say it like that Kaede,
we’ll have plenty more moments like this.”
He sighed, “I hope so.”
Elmyra stood on the deck, looked out at the sea, looking at her daughter,
as she walked on the beach with the man known as Kaede. Off in the distance,
she saw them as they disappeared into the Kitana. Elmyra smiled sadly, how
much longer could they enjoy life’s simple joys before the monsters
took them away?
“She’s lucky,” said Tifa from behind.
The older woman turned around as she saw Cloud and Tifa come out and take
seats next to her.
“I know, and I’m glad for her,” said Elmyra, “but it
just isn’t fair, for either of them...or for any of you. It shouldn’t
be like this. You kids are at the beginning of your lives. You shouldn’t
be forced to cope with what’s happening.”
“‘Life is ever a series of trials,’” quoted Cloud,
“heard that in “Loveless.’”
Tifa smiled, “I wasn’t aware you saw that play.”
“Oh you know me,” joked Cloud, “I’m a hopeless
romantic.”
She rolled her eyes at him, “spare me.”
“What?” he demanded, “I am”
“When?” she smiled.
Cloud suddenly became serious, paraphrasing more from the play, “whenever
I am near you, my heart flutters and my soul soars to Heaven. I am hopelessly
devoted to you Tifa.”
He grinned at her surprised stare. Kaede wasn’t the only one who could
spout poetry.
Elmyra smiled knowingly at the two, “I think three has just become a
crowd.”
Tifa and Cloud asked her to sit back down, telling her not to leave.
Elmyra shook her head, “listen to me kids, as I told Aeris and Kaede,
just do what you have to do, and come back safe. Relax, Planet knows you’ve
earned it.”
With that, she smiled and walked back into the Villa.
A frown of worry crept into her face, ‘please Planet, if there is any
justice in the world, please protect Aeris. Protect each of them...for all
our sakes.’
The crew members looked with fear at the four generals on deck. The shipmen
were used to higher ups on board, but these were the emperor’s Four
Horsemen. What’s more, they had the emperor’s personal guard with
them. Like wraiths were the guards, giant shades that reeked of death and
suffering. But it was not the shades that they feared, it was the
generals.
Methos looked with disdain at the schematic of the planet. Here he was, in
one of the flagships of the empire. He was surrounded by the best technology
ever created, and backed by the largest fleet ever assembled for such a task
force. He had the very powers of the emperor flowing through his veins, and
still, he could get no straight answer.
“Why is there so much activity on that planet?” asked the Horseman
of Chaos.
“I do not know Lord Methos,” replied an officer below the tactical
podium.
The captain of the ship looked on with terror at the four Dread Lords. Never
had he seen such power before. Their eyes burned fierce with raw energy.
They were shrouded in darkness, as if they swallowed the very light. Whatever
was unlucky enough to draw near them invariably froze, shriveled, and perished.
There were several dead vermin lying near their feet, looking for all the
world like they’d been sucked dry...and the Horsemen hadn’t even
been paying attention to them. By the emperor’s name, why did he have
to cross these people, today of all days?
Sephiroth grimaced at the man, green eyes blazing, “you are a military
mind, are you not captain? What do you think it means?”
“They know we have arrived,” deduced Veletta.
Sephiroth nodded, “the holding patterns are similar to some of the phalanx
positions used by SOLDIER. Flanking positions resemble Wutainian tactics.
You can be assured of a welcoming party.”
Methos turned to the captain, “I thought I told you...I wanted to catch
them by surprise.”
The terrified man tried to stammer a reply, “I-I’m sorry sir! It
was some kind of seal! It broke when we entered the solar system
and-”
The Chaos Lord extended his hand toward the captain below. The man was lifted
from the deck, rising foot by foot until he was level with Methos’s
blazing blood red eyes.
“You should have thought of that before...apologize,” commanded
the evil man.
“I’m sorry! It won’t happen again, I-”
The captain’s words were cut short, for a strange force began to grip
at his throat. He couldn’t speak...couldn’t even breathe.
“What was that?” sneered Methos, “did the cur have something
to say?”
The man’s eyes bugged out as his throat was crushed. With a sickening
snapping sound, the rest of the body imploded, as if sucked dry, then fell
to the floor in a broken heap of flesh and bone.
“You will not have a second chance to disappoint me,” said Methos
to the dead mass.
Sephiroth smiled grimly, “tsk, temper, temper Methos, although I do
like your style.”
Methos glared at the man, “let’s get one thing straight, spawn
of Jenova, the only reason you are still alive is because the emperor wills
it, and we have use for you. Beware, I am the very embodiment of his
power!”
“We all are,” warned Veletta.
“Don’t cross us,” finished Morbius.
Sephiroth shrugged, unimpressed, “don’t put yourselves up on any
pedestal, lest you forget I have a piece of that power as
well.”
Methos grunted, “well, it’s time you put your skills at
work.”
Morbius continued, “you know the layout of the planet, how will we go
about this?”
“The Dark Purge has already begun,” reminded Veletta, “we
need only to finish the last step.”
Sephiroth looked at the schematic on the Fortress of the Ancients. This is
where it would have to fall. However, if he knew Cloud, and that accursed
Cetra bitch, there would be problems. Nothing he couldn’t
handle.
Sephiroth sneered to himself, it was time to put his plan into
action.
“If we are to succeed, we will need to make it fall here, in the
Fortress,” pointed Sephiroth, “and there is one small thing that
stands in our way.”
“Kaede,” answered Methos.
“Actually,” countered Sephiroth, “I had someone else in
mind.”
“The Cetra,” deduced Veletta, “the one known as
Aeris.”
Sephiroth nodded, “she alone can summon forth Holy and cause us
problems.”
“You do not suggest,” demanded Methos, “that a little harlot
like her could actually be a threat to our plans?”
Sephiroth shook his head, “of course not, however, she may delay it,
and in so doing, lessen the force of the Dark Purge.”
“So what do we do?” asked Morbius.
“We must kill her,” said Veletta, “we must kill the
Cetra.”
Sephiroth shrugged, “she poses a minor threat, but she must not be allowed
to try anything.”
Methos shook his head, “we must kill Kaede first. He poses the most
threat. He knows-”
“We must destroy HER,” cursed Veletta.
“Stay focused,” chided Morbius, “the Purge is all, the Cetra
doesn’t matter.”
“You speak for yourself,” spat Veletta, “I know what I must
do. The bitch dies at my hands. I will have the satisfaction of seeing them
suffer before the end.”
Morbius shook his head at her. Why was she being like this? Ever since Kaede
had left, she had become tempestuous, unfocused. Her fury knew no bounds,
and yet they soared to even greater heights whenever he was mentioned. And
now, it seemed that hatred had transferred over to the girl, the last great
hope this planet had, although the Cetra would burn easily enough with the
rest.
Sephiroth shrugged, “kill the girl, kill him, kill them all. It makes
no difference.”
He smiled to himself. Sephiroth had studied these people enough to know what
buttons to push. They would be so busy with their own plans, they would not
notice his trap until it was too late.
Morbius looked at Veletta again. Why was she so obsessed with the Cetra?
Ever since they had found out what had happened to the Sleepers, she had
been almost one-sided in her pursuits. It was clear that the only threat
came from her and Kaede, but they would fall easily. Morbius smiled inwardly,
oh yes...they would all fall. They had no idea of the power they were dealing
with. The power of the emperor flowed through his blood, making him into
a god. Now all creation would cower at his feet.
Sephiroth grinned inwardly as he prepared to put the final nail in the coffin,
“our plans mean nothing without this...”
He drew out a black orb. The other Horsemen looked at the dark thing. However,
it was not dark in itself. It was not that it absorbed all light, like them,
it was just that it emitting...nothing. The thing, whatever it was, looked
as evil as the emperor’s eye, as if it were made of the raw dark powers
that flowed through their bodies.
“What is that?” demanded Methos.
“This,” answered Sephiroth triumphantly, “is the Black
Materia.”
“And what do you plan to do with this trinket?” asked
Morbius.
The ex-SOLDIER glared at Morbius, “this ‘trinket’ will help
us multiply the power of the Purge tenfold.”
The other three Horsemen stared at him, eyes narrowed.
“How do you plan to do that?” demanded Morbius.
‘Yes fools,’ thought Sephiroth, ‘fall into my trap. And when
it is done, I shall be the one with ultimate power!’
Aeris laughed as she walked the halls of the ship with Kaede. Beautiful
tapestries adorned the walls as they walked down the halls.
“Wow,” exclaimed the Cetra, “I never knew you were an art
buff.”
“I’m not,” smiled Kaede, “these are various relics I
picked up on my travels.”
Kaede lead her to another room, with cases full of trinkets and artifacts
from countless worlds.
“Keepsakes,” explained Kaede, “given to me by different
races,”
Aeris was awestruck, “it seems you are held in high
honor.”
“Lord Silver is well known for his exploits throughout the cosmos,”
explained the feminine voice of the computer.
The Planeswalker groaned, “Kitana, how many times have I asked you not
to call me that?”
“Sorry,” replied the voice, “old habits-”
“That’s okay,” interjected Kaede, “I don’t need
for you to sound like Bahumet!”
“Very well Master Kaede,” answered the computer.
He groaned again, “why do people always have to be so bleeding formal
with me?”
Aeris laughed, “you sound just like Reeve.”
Kaede looked at her doubtfully.
“It’s true,” she smiled, “you just have this...aura about
you. It demands respect.”
“Lady Aeris states it quite succinctly,” voiced Kitana.
“‘Lady Aeris?’” asked the Cetra, “where did that
come from?”
“Well,” reasoned the computer, “if you are to be sire
Kaede’s betrothed-”
“Alright Kitana,” said Kaede, “thank you for reminding...wait
a minute...how did you know?”
“You didn’t really make that big of an effort to hide it sir,”
said Kitana, “you always talked about her while on board the ship and
the way your body temperature rises when-”
“KITANA!,” struggled Kaede, “please...you’re embarrassing
me.”
Aeris tried hard not to laugh aloud.
“Very well sir,” replied the computer, “do you need me for
anything else?”
“No, thank you,” answered Kaede, “take a rest, I’ll activate
you in the morning if I need anything.”
“Sweet dreams sir.”
“Sweet dreams,” he responded, “DO computers
dream?”
“I may not have full autonomy of the ship sir, but I am sentient, I
do run the bridge and some of the common areas-”
“Kitana...I helped program you, remember?”
“Oh...right,” said Kitana, “sorry. Well, to answer your question,
I do kind of dream sometimes, although it’s not quite the same as what
you do.”
“Hmmm,” pondered Kaede, “very well, until the morning
then.”
“Until the morning,” bade the voice, “good night Lady
Aeris.”
“Good night,” laughed the Cetra.
“Shutting down.”
Sephiroth was done explaining. They would follow his plan. He knew they would,
for they had no other alternative.
“So,” asked Methos, “we use this...trinket...to empower the
Dark Purge, granting the emperor energy ten-fold to what we have
anticipated?”
Morbius blinked uncertainly. They had come to this planet to reap the technology
and energy of this planet. Archaic as the planet was, it had mysteries hidden
deep inside, mysteries that could grant ultimate power.
Sephiroth knew they had come to this planet, to feed off its energy. It was
the key to their power. And a planet this rich in mako was irresistible to
them. They were drawn to it like a moth to a flame. He smiled, it was a fitting
analogy. They did not know it, but this ‘Fortress’ would not only
strengthen the Drak Purge, it would empower the avatar who brought it forth.
He would be the one to receive its power. He would discard the emperor like
a forgotten plaything. Or perhaps not, it pleased Sephiroth to think of all
the ways he would make life a living hell for these people.
“How do we know this isn’t a trick?” demanded Veletta.
“Hear me Jenovan,” cursed Morbius, “do not cross
us.”
Sephiroth waved his hands in a gesture of dismissal, “I couldn’t
care less about Jenova. “Mother” was simply a means to an end.
And while her song was sweet while it lasted, I have found more fertile pastures
in which to reap the fruits of destruction.”
“How poetic,” quipped Methos, “pray your mind stays on task.
Fail us, and it will be the last time you do anything.”
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes at the Horseman, “careful Methos, my patience
goes only so far...”
As they discussed the plan of attack, all the while, Sephiroth brooded on
his ascension to power.
‘I shall become a god, and all creation shall cower before
me!’
“Well,” said Aeris, “we’ve got the ship to
ourselves.”
“Looks that way,” agreed Kaede.
“So, what’s the deal with my new designation?” smiled Aeris,
“I never thought of myself as some lady of a lord before.”
“I’m no lord,” shrugged Kaede, “but you have all the
grace and charm of any royal.”
She blushed, “thanks.”
He lead her over to the glass cases in the showroom. Lighting shone down
from the ceiling, glittering against the jewels.
“So, what do you think?”
She was spell bound, “they’re beautiful.”
“Not half as much as you,” he answered.
Aeris returned a wry grin, “I bet you weren’t thinking that during
battle, or when you first pulled me from the lake.”
“You’re right...” he trailed off
Aeris frowned...well, at least he was honest. She remained quiet as he lead
her to another room. It had a balcony with a view of the stars outside. The
night air was slightly chilly, but comfortable.
“...You were even more spell binding,” he finished.
It took a while for her to realize he was finishing his sentence from before.
Aeris raised her hands to her forehead in defeat.
“What, you don’t believe me?” he asked, “take my word,
it is nigh impossible to imagine you not looking radiant.”
“Oh Kaede,” she laughed, “you’re a card.”
He grabbed her hands and brought the close to his chest. She felt his right
hand caress her hair. His other brought up a silver necklace, links finely
etched with the shape of flowers.
Aeris gasped.
“And to the Lady I present something more to put that ring
around.”
She stared breathlessly into his eyes as he brought his hand behind her neck,
undoing the string necklace. He took the ring from around it and placed it
around the new one.
“Trade?” he asked.
She nodded absently and stayed silent as he put the new necklace about her.
He folded the old string one and placed it in his pocket.
“Hello, Aeris?” asked Kaede, looking into her eyes, “are you
home?”
She managed to gather her wits enough to finally reply,
“Kaede...”
He smiled back.
“You didn’t have to,” she started.
“That’s why I wanted to,” he finished.
They turned to look at the stars, Aeris snuggled comfortably against his
side.
Kaede began to feel an aching headache at his temples. Why was he feeling
like this? The seal had already broken.
Aeris noticed something wrong with him, “what’s
wrong?”
He rubbed his forehead, “I don’t know-”
Aeris clutched at her stomach and cried out in pain.
“Aeris? Aeris!”
Kaede caught her as she began to stumble. Carefully, he lowered her to the
ground.
She slowly fluttered her eyes open again.
The Planeswalker heaved a sigh of relief, “are you
alright?”
Aeris nodded, though her body was still quivering, “the cries of the
Planet, they overwhelmed me for a moment.”
He looked at her with concern, “its because the Drahk are
coming.”
“Yes, that and...something else.”
“What?”
“I don’t know...”
Kaede gently lifted Aeris to her feet, and they held each other in the night,
comforting each other.
“What did you feel?” asked the Cetra.
Kaede looked at her askance.
“Your headache,” she explained.
Kaede sighed and looked to the stars, he could already see the darkness closing
in.
“I feel them coming,” answered Kaede, pointing to the stars,
“look there, they are almost here. I see them like a cancer in the night
sky. And I feel them like a plague in my mind...”
“Kaede...”
He looked into her pleading eyes with sadness in his own, “Aeris, I
must be honest with you...”
Aeris hushed him, caressing his face, “Kaede, I
understand.”
He looked downward, now it was his body shaking, “I can’t...lose
you...”
Aeris embraced him, “you won’t Kaede, it’s you and I...till
the end. That’s more than most people get in a lifetime.”
Kaede beheld the Cetra through glassy eyes, “Aeris...”
“Whatever happens Kaede, I feel blessed to have known you...to have
loved-”
She could speak no more, and wrapped herself in his arms as she shed her
tears against his shoulder.
“Hush now,” he comforted, “no words are needed between us.
Get some sleep.”
Aeris looked up.
“Walk out the door, pick any room you want,” offered he,
“mine’s at the end of the hall if you need anything.”
“Aren’t you going to sleep?” she asked.
He let out a heavy sigh, “I have some things to think about, I’ll
go in a little while.”
He let himself collapse into a sofa, holding a bottle of Serran nectar in
his hand.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
He nodded, “sweet dreams Aeris.”
“Good night Kaede,” she bade before leaving.
Tifa sat snuggled against Cloud, watching the stars from their recliner.
She felt so safe in his arms, whenever he held her. With Cloud by her side,
she could hold the world at bay.
Cloud reveled at their closeness. She couldn’t know how it soothed him
just to be near her, just to feel the warmth of her embrace.
He suddenly felt a bone chilling coldness seep into him, dispelling the warmth,
threatening to destroy him. Cloud clutched Tifa close to him as he fought
for breath...then the feeling was gone.
They breathed harshly together, in each others arms, for what seemed like
forever.
“You felt it too?” asked Tifa.
Cloud nodded, “what was it?”
“I don’t know,” she replied, “what is
that?”
She pointed to the sky...there seemed to be a dark patch in the heavens...through
which no star light could penetrate.
“That must be them,” deduced Cloud. It was the Drahk, the harbingers
of death...coming to claim all their souls.
Tifa held onto him tighter, “Oh Cloud...”
The swordsman drew his wife closer, looking into her eyes, “hey
now...it’ll be okay.”
Tifa looked away, but he lifted her chin again to gaze into her eyes
again.
“Whatever happens,” promised Cloud, “we’ll get through
it...together.”
She smiled and clutched him tightly, taking comfort in the friction of her
body against his.
“Whatever happens,” he continued, “I have no regrets...because
I found you, and because I love you.”
She shed a tear, which Cloud promptly brushed away before kissing her. Cloud
once more drowned himself in her, forgetting his sea of
troubles...
Kaede stood up, he had brooded for long enough. He had to get some sleep,
for the true challenge was yet to come. He breathed heavily, praying silently
that everything would turn out okay...they wouldn’t, of course; they
never did. But that didn’t keep him from trying, from hoping.
The warrior tread silently through the halls, careful not to disturb Aeris.
He didn’t hear anything...she was already asleep.
Kaede shook his head, the last few weeks had been torture for her. He had
tried to protect Aeris, but he always went where the trouble was...it was
virtually impossible for him to be in someone’s presence and not endanger
them. Once again he considered if he was being fair to her...forcing his
emotions on her. Kaede sighed...like fate, love was a fickle mistress. It
did what it would, and be damned the consequences. All he could do was try
his best for Aeris.
He opened the door to his room, stripping down to his pants and
tee-shirt.
“Lights,” he announced, “dim.”
As requested, a very soft glow lit the room.
“Kaede...” came a whisper.
Kaede noticed breathing, and it was not his own. He turned around and found
himself face to face with Aeris.
She wore only her tank tops and shorts, looking down at the floor.
“Aeris,” he whispered back.
His heart was beating rapidly like a drum. He closed his eyes, steeling himself,
forcing himself to stay controlled. He knew what she wanted...knew how she
felt, but he couldn’t do this. He wanted it too, wanted it so badly.
He needed to know he had finally found someone...finally found peace that
wouldn’t leave him quaking in the night. He wanted to feel that...that
she was not some ghost in the night that would pass him by...that would leave
him cold and alone, like he had felt so many times in his dreams. But he
wouldn’t...he couldn’t do this to her. He couldn’t bare to
be the fleeting ghost in HER dreams...to ultimately fail her.
“Aeris...if I don’t make it,” he tried to explain, “I
can’t...”
Kaede trailed off as he saw the look in her eyes. And he recognized the same
emotion in her that he felt himself...need. Oh...how he wanted to forget
his troubles. How he yearned to hold her in the night, and forget that anything
existed but her. He wanted to bury himself in the rising emotions that threatened
to engulf them both.
“I can feel your thoughts,” tried Aeris.
“Aeris,” whispered Kaede, “you
don’t...why...?”
“I just...wanted to be near you,” she struggled to say.
Aeris trailed off, not needing to explain any more. He knew what she felt.
She was frightened. They were now faced with a force powerful enough to destroy
worlds. It was foolish to ignore the fatality in that. Great Planet, she
needed him so badly now, she needed him so badly it hurt. Needed him to make
her feel alive, to let her know that she was not alone, that she never would
be, that the darkness would not claim her...and he needed to know the
same.
Kaede felt his heart clutch, for never before had he committed himself to
anyone. Never had he truly loved...
Kaede looked into her eyes one more time, and was lost. Her eyes screamed
for him, pleading with him not to go. He never would, never could...for she
was to him like the blood that flowed through his veins. Life without her
would not be worth living. He ached for her, oh how he ached for
her...
The Planeswalker sighed, reaching out his hands. Aeris ran into his embrace,
while Kaede held onto her like a drowning man. He breathed in her scent,
smelling sweet flowers. He tasted salt on her cheeks as they held each other
close, and reveled in the warmth of her body against his. He sighed as he
stared into her searching eyes once again. And as he captured her in a ravenous
kiss, giving to her his very heart and soul, he knew this was it. He would
hold onto her forever, and never let her go. They were for each other, and
nothing would EVER take that away.
The two simply quivered in each others arms as they lost themselves in the
each other...lost themselves to the night...
Author’s (really big) Note: AHEM! Sorry people if you were expecting
this last scene to get a little lemony, but I told you it wouldn’t happen,
I‘m not a big fan of them. Too often it degrades the story and makes
it cheesy. And my story is already frothing over with chesiness at points.
This is the closest you’ll get from me. In fact, I had to be convinced
to write this much...you see, I can’t write romantic stuff very well,
so I leave it to you. I don’t want to botch up anything, and I trust
you all to have creative minds. You can make up your own ideas. I’m
not saying anything happened, I’m not saying it didn’t...I want
it to be your choice. Sorry if the last few chapters came out a bit corny.
At any rate, this was the last completely developmental scene. Now it’s
to the meat of the matter...final battle. No more uncertainties, I bury them
all in the heat of battle!
Next chapter sees the first scenes of combat, and it all follows soon after
that. I’d like to get feedback on these last few chapters so I can tailor
the story to my readers’ tastes. I already have what I want to do planned
out, and you all have been great with all the encouragement and
suggestions.
I get really disappointed when a great story just drops the ball at the end,
and I don’t want that to happen here. I am really excited about the
story, I think about it all the time. I just want to make sure I finish it
with a bang, so feel free to tell me what you think and what you want done.
I’ll rewrite entire chapters if I feel the need. Tell me what you think
I should add or cut. Just try not to rag me (smiles nervously)! Thanks again.
.