The dark haired boy's idea of sneaking around is more than amusing.

Daniel is laying flat against a hill, army crawling around in an attempt to see the gates a few yards off. Perhaps the boy had seen a few things from old books or movies, given his age varying long beyond this apocalypse.

"Any military experience?" I ask casually, standing tall as if no one in the world could see me.

He scoffs. "I would never fight a human war."

"That's good to know," I nod, approving in my head. "There is hope for you, yet then."

Dan doesn't say anything, watching the unprotected gates with seemingly no one in front of them. Several cracked roads merged together into one long, powerful stretch that disappears behind the gates.

After about thirty minutes, a car drives out of the city, a bit behind us and then North. We're far enough away that no human in their right mind could see us and yes Daniel continues to behave as if they have enhanced abilities.

"I take it you don't need binoculars to see that everything has been left unguarded?" I sigh, staring at my nails and realizing how boring this expedition had truly become.

He only mumbles something incoherent in return.

Dark enough that there were few to no lights in the city, late enough that no one would be doing anything of entertainment value, not to mention promising the young woman back at camp I wouldn't kill anyone.

Not even for fun.

Perhaps entering would be a piece of cake. Maybe there will even be cake inside, along with a fresh shower and people who aren't murdering each other every five seconds. All I could establish is: sitting here tonight we would never find out.

It was for us to sit here and talk awkwardly about things we didn't wish to divulge.

"I am beginning to feel as if this was a foolish waste of time," I grumble to myself, starting to stalk down the hill and towards the gates.

Dan stumbles after me in confusion, tripping over his laces slightly in the dark and falling against my shoulder. "My god, you feel like steel."

"I mean, far stronger than steel," I scoff slightly. "But I suppose even if you're old, you're not accustomed to other worlds, yes?"

He still ignores me, brushing off of me and taking a slight lead. "What are we doing now then?"

I snort. "Wow, King of deflections tonight, are we? We're an hour away from your precious humans and you still won't answer any of my questions."

Daniel raises a brow at me, almost challenging me.

"Wipe that look of your face," I mutter. "We're going to see if there are any guards really. I'm going to see if you can just walk inside the city like some feral cat or if there are requirements."

A breeze chases between us, wiping locks of matted hair in my face and sending light dust and dirt flying everywhere.

Dan falls into step behind me in order to escape the glare likely piercing everything I look at. I feel his conflict swirling and writhing up in his gut again, but clearly, a bit of adventure wasn't helping. I don't miss the way Daniel clears his throat when we approach the looming scraper of a wall or his eyes mercilessly counting each thing he saw before him.

There are similar kiosks on either side of a two-pillar gateway. Both have humans inside, smiles plastered awkwardly on their faces.

The smell of their breath in the clean night air is somehow unsettling to my senses, a deathly feeling coiling into my chest and yanking back. It's the same aroma as one from a castle fragrance. The hints of royal perfume and cold-blooded control send shivers down my spine.

Daniel, however, doesn't change demeanor. Instead, he walks up and checks on the sleeping figures of the partner each waking operator had. Soft snores escape them. Alive, they're likely using a break from their night job.

"Hello Travellers," A blond man beams at us, stirring his companion. "Will you be entering our fine city this evening?"

Everything in my being rises to bite this cheery asshole down to size, but Daniel pinches me in the waist. "Actually we've been traveling for several weeks to find somewhere safe to stay. My wife, you see, we believe she's pregnant. We came ahead of our party to see if there were any way to enter tomorrow."

My stomach flops with the taste of wife in my mouth.

I was one man's wife.

The implication alone could severe my cords to this life in angry frustration and malcontent.

But I purse my lips and wait.

A young brunette girl steps out from the other kiosk and eyes me with a pleasant grin prominent enough to dismantle a war. Flashing that smile in just the right way with such a thin, porcelain figure could save anyone's life.

She rubs my shoulder softly and nods to the other man. "You're welcome to come in whenever you'd like, be that tomorrow or a week from now. Our Lord beckons an open door policy unlike any on the continent."

Our Lord...

My brows furrowed in confusion until the paling, flushed cheeks of Daniel gave ample more questions than time for answers.

"Thank you," I whisper, in the quietest, most polite voice I have. The seconds of using such a fake smile irk me further. "We'll be back by sunrise if you don't mind."

"Calvin and I will still be here by then if that's the case."

I nod, taking another whiff of the scent so familiar and amiss. My body wants to cross, contort into frustration or bully into submission. Not act as a younger woman looking to be coddled by a bunch of happy strangers.

"What's your name, miss?" I murmur, eyes wavering shyly for effect.

A firework could've exploded from the sheer joy amassed in that small heart. "My name is Alice, ma'am," she beams, rocking in a jaunty bounce. "You're welcome to call me Ally though, everyone around here does."

"Thank you, Ally," I say again, looking toward the frightened mad at my flank again and hooking an arm around his waist lovingly. "We'll be back soon, I promise."

"Looking forward to it!"

Alice cheers a bit, but rather robotically heads back to her station as we part ways,

Dan has unwittingly wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we head off in our old direction. The Guards never asked from where we came or what our purpose was, the sick smell lingering in their breath. Sickly sweet.

Yet, I remember nothing about how that could possibly be the case.

Fingers digging deep into my arm, I look at the petrified ghost I all but escorted back up the hill. "What's wrong, Daniel?"

"So, so many things," he replies in awe, releasing his hold on me and slumping against one of the hills. "We shouldn't be going in there, Ira."

I squat down in front of him, a hand resting against his propped knee. "That's great and all, Daniel, but if you're expecting me to take you seriously there will need to be a why involved somewhere."

He nods. "I've made some enemies in my time, gotten in the way of a few people rising to power. I've done my best to keep a low profile unless something goes horribly wrong but... The one person I was never successful in taking down is the very man that runs that entire city."

I take a deep breath. "Okay, why?"

Dan only shakes his head. "You'll be in even more danger associated with me, you know. For multiple reasons. This isn't what's best for you and Lindon."

His words are beginning to frighten me as well. Whatever information he refuses to tell me, for any reason at all is a dangerous threat in and of itself.

My mind reels and I think about our surroundings, the time period, the creatures still in play. Eyes glazing over the empty fields, both burnt and muddy from years of scorching sun, I run out of excuses.

Even the smell.

There is only one explanation for everything.

"He's a God," I say, emptiness coating the chilling words. Hollow and breathless into the night, I sit beside him. "Of course, he's a God..."

A bitter, resentful aura consumes Daniel.

He clenches his fists tight, releasing them in some attempt to sooth the boiling pressure ready to lash out everywhere. "I lead you into a death trap."

"No," my voice denies before the rest of me can part with a sobering thought. Perhaps he did and even then, no. This is my doing. I brought us here. "No Daniel, this is not your fault."

His hands are shaking when he palms the one I have resting against him. "What are we going to do then?"

"We go in," I shrug, the cold hatred for my siblings simmering to the surface. "This may change some of the plans, but not all of them. We're going into the heart of that city tomorrow."

He stares at me in horror until something registers in him. "You know who it is, don't you?"

Mindlessly, I crack my neck from side to side and smirk a little bit. "I do not know which of my siblings is dwelling within the giant walls of this ancient city, but I do know how to handle each and every one of them."

He starts calculating things to himself, nodding and mumbling quietly before pushing himself off the ground and offering me a hand.

I accept it, pulling myself up and closing my eyes. There is one last question I need an answer to. One last thing I need to know before we go running into this hell together.

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

If Daniel wouldn't tell me his, I'd have to find out for myself.

Slipping one leg back, I continue holding his left hand and use my right to manifest the celestial weapon I've used for millennium. A crystalline gladius blade with sigils carved down the center morphs full form into my fingers.

He has seconds to realize what's going on.

I suck in a breath. "I'm sorry, Daniel."

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the epic Cliffy!

(This chapter was supposed to only be one part. Whoops.)

Long time, no see. I know, I know. I've been really busy writing Empty Chains. HOWEVER, I am more than proud to say that the book is fully COMPLETE and waiting on judging in the Open Novella Competition. What does that mean? Well, for one, if you want a hilarious paranormal story about Death, there is that for you to read. 

Another thing it means is that ALL of my attention will be put right back here where it belongs. I love this story so much and have been missing every second of writing it. Something I didn't get a lot as it was. 

Any thoughts about the plot so far? Hit me up with questions and comments any time. Don't forget to vote if you enjoyed. I hope all of you have an amazing day!