Harry Potter and the Orb of Slytherin

Chapter 15: Face to Face with Destiny

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Worthwhile all looked at Scrimgeour as he gazed back. Silence filled the air as each of them contemplated what was taking place. Harry's mind was racing furiously. They had a huge key to finding Voldemort, but what would it mean to see one's own future? What if he saw his own death or worse, the death of his friends? What if he saw his failure and watched the world fall into complete chaos once more? Harry stayed calm despite the torment in his head - a voice screaming, "Don't do it!"

"What do we do?" Ron asked, breaking the dead silence.

"I will use them," Harry said in a quiet voice, but one that exuded all the command and confidence he could muster. Scrimgeour exhaled, and looked down at his Gorgon box. He held it with familiarity as if he had always had it with him.

"Mr. Potter, this is my most precious possession. It had been passed down through my family for generations, a gift from the Pharaoh of Egypt long ago for our ancestors' call to the guardianship of the Royal Library. I have come to realize that there are few coincidences. It is time for our great treasures to be of use to this world." He handed Harry the box. It was identical to Harry's Bakuri box in every way - except it had a small square outcropping instead of a fissure. "We will leave you."

Harry let Worthwhile crawl onto Hermione's shoulders and they all started for the door. Ron squeezed Harry's shoulder once before they exited and left Harry to be alone in the white room.

"Tell me," Scrimgeour said as they waited in the hall outside the room. "How is it that Harry can take on so many burdens and still be alive... still be sane? I wanted to believe he was a spoiled child, but I see how foolish I have been. No one should have to go through what he does, especially a young boy."

"It's very simply, Minister," Hermione said. "He does the things he does because no one else will help him, so he found he must help himself."

"And I don't believe you can call him a boy anymore," Ron added. "We've all had to grow up quicker than we might have liked."

"He just doesn't know how to be a coward," Hermione finished. "He never will."

Harry breathed deeply and closed his eyes, holding a box in each hand. He was shivering slightly, but it was something he had to do. He opened his hands and time stood still. Combining the two boxes, he knew instinctively how to open them, and they responded to his will. They sprang from his hand and hovered in place, as if waiting for something.

"Show me where Voldemort hides his Horcruxes," he said clearly.

Instantly, the room was gone. Harry's feet left the floor and he felt like he was floating in nothing. He was in complete darkness - a void. Then a scene flashed in front of him - a sort of vision. It was almost like he was flying above some kind of wood or valley, except there was no wind or clouds obstructing his view, as if they were moving for him. He could see green pastures and hills and small homes scattered amongst the countryside. He could tell he was moving and he was definitely gaining ground on wherever he was headed as he continued to speed towards an unknown destination, completely weightless.

He spotted train tracks below him and he suddenly recognized the area - he was on his way from the Ministry to Hogwarts. In seconds Harry was able to see the tall spires of the castle looming against the horizon and he realized he was going extremely fast, but he still felt nothing. He was slowed down and was flown in lower - the boxes seemingly controlled everything Harry was going to see; below, on the grounds, he spotted students and professors in the halls and out among the fields. Spring was just about to arrive, but it was still forlorn at Hogwarts and fewer people were out among the grounds.

Harry was watching to spot anything of worth when he was taken towards the Forbidden Forest. Flying in, he was floating slowly in between the trees and he was moved off in a more northern direction. After a few minutes more, Harry spotted something in the clearing. Squinting his eyes, he realized it was a herd of centaurs, or rather, something like a centaur camp. Some were looking towards the sky, but they were apparently unable to see Harry. Others were sparring or dancing around a large fire and still others were congregated and talking - it looked like a sort of celebration. One suddenly seemed to shout a call, and, in a rush, they all gathered and charged off in one direction. Harry tried to see what was happening, but he was off again, completely unable to control what he was being shown.

His eyes couldn't keep up with a lot when he began moving at a higher rate of speed. He knew he was still going north, but the magical boxes showing the vision clearly did not think the portions in-between were important. Harry was reminded strongly of Mrs. Weasley's scolding about magical objects that thought for themselves.

He came to another stop, and he was in a large gathering of trees where acromantulas were swarming in nests skewed among the branches and on the ground. Harry recognized it instantly - it was the place he and Ron had found their second year, confronting Aragog; however, in Aragog's place was a much larger, much hairier beast -one that was currently feasting on a large boar. It had a ferocious look to it and in the middle of its head was a small purple crystal. Suddenly there was a bright light and Harry shielded his eyes as all of the enormous spiders in the area began to scamper away in fear. In a few minutes, all were gone, except the leader, who was spitting and snarling in the entrance to his lair.

Harry didn't get to see more - he was rushing in the blink of an eye to a new vision. He found himself in a dark tunnel, and in a few more seconds, he saw a pedestal with a single wand placed on its stone structure. He heard footsteps rushing down the hall and he turned his head to see Hermione, Ron, and himself coming inside. Harry was, at first, startled, but he remembered he was seeing his future. Harry saw they were having a conversation as they looked at the pedestal, but he was unable to hear what they said. Then, in a startling turn of events, Harry saw his future self hand his staff to Hermione and sit on the ground, looking complacent. Harry almost became indignant when he saw what his future self was doing, but before he knew it, he was whisked away. Through another tunnel and he was suddenly floating in the sky again.

Harry strained his eyes, but it was dark out. The sky was cloudy and it looked like it was about to storm. He spotted a small opening in an outcropping on a nearby ledge that led out into a steep slide over a cliff. Moving his eyes along the side of the drop, he suddenly spotted his future self - he was hanging over the very edge of the cliff, his legs ensnared by a tree branch. He could tell future Harry was hanging on by sheer strength, but it was difficult, because he was holding onto both Ron and Hermione who were dangling over the ledge into a dark abyss with nothing between them and a sure drop to their deaths. Harry cried out in terror as his future self struggled with all his might to hold on to his two friends. Meanwhile, about a dozen hooded wizards swarmed out of the entrance to the tunnel and spotted them, each beginning to fire spells at them. Harry floated in the air, horror-struck at what he was seeing, but he saw no more.

He was whisked away and he was in darkness once more. Harry was shocked he couldn't see what happened. How could that be his future? The boxes didn't even show him what happened in the end! Then he realized that the ending was probably skewered. If he saw the end, then he could stop it from happening to some extent and it didn't exist. His head began to hurt thinking of the possibilities, but he was determined not to let what he saw happen.

He didn't have time to dwell on it any longer for he was back in the sky, only this time, he was in a much darker, much more sinister place. He saw nothing but barren waste as far as he could see and in the distance was a large, spewing volcano, one that didn't have a regular edge, but an ascending spiring rim. He was zooming towards it and Harry seemed to be looking at everything as if it was going many times faster than in real life. He saw a bridge and hundreds of Death Eater guards standing patiently. He saw passages towering over pits of lava and large gates and sinister-looking statues. He then noticed two creatures on a platform-looking kind of ledge that seemed to be fighting. Looking closer, he noticed they were snakes and that it was indeed Worthwhile and Nagini hissing and snapping, slithering in circles around each other. Nagini was three times larger than Worthwhile, but he was putting up a brutal fight.

Harry watched anxiously in fear as Worthwhile was being beat on, but never seemed to want to give up. He was suddenly whipped by Nagini over the ledge and into a lower room. Harry was floated down to watch as Nagini dropped down and towered over Worthwhile, who seemed stunned. Nagini, in a flash, swallowed Worthwhile in one enormous lunge and he was gone, taken up in Nagini's gullet. Harry shouted once more in horror, but his shouts fell on deaf ears. He was whipped quickly down to the bottom of the room where Nagini was hissing pleasantly with an expectant look on his face. Harry looked and spotted his future self once more, except he was ragged-looking. He was burnt and beaten, lying on the ground in silence, barely breathing and utterly exhausted.

Harry was completely lost. He was watching his worst fears unfold. He was unconsciously urging his future self to get up, but the person lying on the ground was barely breathing. He wasn't sure if Ron and Hermione were even alive! Then a laugh... a cruel, maniacal laugh Harry knew all too well. It was Voldemort. He approached future Harry with his wand raised and smoking. Harry noticed a staff with no orb attached, but a lot of shattered glass around it, lying near Voldemort's feet. Voldemort was also extremely beaten and burnt, but he had a demonic smile on his face as he limped towards Harry. He stood over him with a look of utter impunity and then cast his curse.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Then, there was nothing. Harry fell into darkness once again - the void of the in-between, leaving Harry in pure darkness only to plainly make it clear to him the daunting future facing him. However, only a second later, he was blinded by an enormous green light. It was a huge green skull with a snake coming out of its mouth. It loomed over the floating Harry with a devilish grin that stretched over him like a skyscraper and Harry yelled in panic.

The lights to the white room exploded into place and Harry was thrust backwards, landing hard on his back. He was breathing heavily and it took him a while to realize the vision was over and he was back in the Ministry conference room. He saw the two boxes that were hovering over him begin to evaporate into wispy smoke and were soon no more.

* * *

September 22^nd

A large, steel door crashed open, and a disheveled and suffering Voldemort collapsed. He was breathing like he was in a vacuum, gulping in lungfuls of air as if he was unable to breathe without help. His face was pale - his eyes were like ice and sunken. He struggled to get up, and finally began to crawl to a large throne at the end of the dark and dismal-feeling room. Taking hold of the armrest, Voldemort pulled himself up into it with all his might. Smoke lightly wisped off of his head and his hands were twitching in agony.

"Know your enemy, Tom Riddle. I am Harry Potter, the bringer of your demise!"

Voldemort shook in anger and fear and frustration. He had just been bested by Harry Potter and knew his precious Horcrux had been destroyed.

"But how?" he gasped, still struggling heavily to breathe. "How is this possible? What magic could overtake my own? Only Dumbledore would have been powerful enough to overcome the trap I placed in that cup!" He was so filled with anger, he shook, but he was so completely weakened by Harry Potter's attack on his soul, he could not muster an attempt to fume.

"Perhaps," a polished voice came from the shadows beyond the doorway, "it would be best to start placing even more defenses around your remaining treasures, my Lord." A man stepped into the light and revealed himself - it was Severus Snape. Everything about him seemed purely dark: he was wearing black robes and his greasy hair contrasted greatly against his ever-more pasty white face.

"Severus..." Voldemort said in a gasping, quiet voice, his eyes showing exhaustion, but anger at the same time. "Come."

"My Lord," Snape replied, looking disconcerted, but still calm. He walked across the empty hall towards Voldemort. He stepped to his right hand and bowed before repeating what he had just said. "Perhaps it would be wise to begin placing even more fortifications around the wand."

"The wand is guarded better than the cup was a hundred fold. Anyone who even nears it will be lucky enough to have escaped with their life and the wand itself is guarded by a curse that kills anyone who tried to draw my Horcrux out - even myself." Voldemort sneered. He grabbed the edges of his chair in utter contempt and loathing. "However, I left the cup to weaker devices - I failed because something is currently at work that I do not know of... yet. I assure you, it will not last long. I am going to rid myself of the putrescent name that is Potter."

"If he slightly bested you, my Lord, he was lucky. He is a talentless scamp - his time is almost up."

"No......" Voldemort said, silencing Snape in shock. Voldemort's slit-shaped pupils squeezed as his eyes narrowed in malicious determination. "I will not underestimate Potter any longer. I made that mistake with his fool parents, and it cost me. He is his father's son." Voldemort began to laugh malignantly, and in seconds, it had erupted into a throaty roar as the entire room was filled with a laugh laced with murderous intentions. "When I destroy Potter, there will be no gloating or satisfaction in torture. I will kill him and do it instantly, with all of my power! He should feel honored that I should do so, for it will be the first time. He will serve me... or die."

"My Lord," Snape offered, humbly bowing once more, "could it be Potter possesses the ancient Orb of Slytherin you were searching for?"

"I have already considered this Severus," Voldemort said haughtily. "However, it is unlikely. I have searched for my ancestor's mighty stave for years, with no results. For Potter to have stumbled across it would have taken much more than his skills in magic, even if they are growing." Voldemort's eyes once again narrowed as he looked towards the still-open door to his abode. "Come, Fenrir."

Fenrir Greyback strode in looking as murderous as Voldemort had looked only moments before, but he was not smiling. He was dripping wet and his coat clung to his body. He shook and growled before speaking. Seven beaten and bruised-looking Death Eaters followed after him; they were just as wet, but looked more fearful than anything.

"Lord Voldemort, we were ambushed!" Fenrir growled, his fists clenched in anger. "Potter was there, along with the traitor Beauregard. I was under the assumption the brat would be tracked!"

"Do not presume to speak to me in such a tone," Voldemort said in a cold, icy voice that had Greyback stepping back warily. "I know about Potter. Tell me, how is it that such a large amount of my Death Eaters was bested by two lonely wizards?"

"Demon..." a voice said from the far end of the room.

Voldemort looked past as everyone turned and saw a limp and hunched Death Eater near the door, looking straight ahead in agitation, as if in a trance or nightmare. "He was a demon... there was nothing we could do... demon..."

Voldemort furiously stared at the lowly wizard, but the man continued to stare ahead, repeating the same words over again. "Get him out of my sight!" Voldemort said calmly. Two others grasped the man by his arms and dragged him out of the room. Fenrir turned back to Voldemort.

"There is something not right here, my Lord," Fenrir growled, this time more respectfully. "Potter was fighting like a man possessed. I sounded a retreat back to guard your treasure only to find it missing."

"And what of Ramses?" Voldemort inquired in a calm manner.

Fenrir smiled a toothy grin, and Voldemort nodded in approval, his own wicked grin appearing once more on his flat serpent-like face. "Very well. You failed to protect what I charged you with, but I understand why. Your Master knows the circumstances that presented themselves tonight. Severus," Voldemort turned towards Snape, who was still by his side. Snape offered his arm and pulled his sleeve up, revealing the Death Eater branding. Voldemort touched it and it glowed once more. In seconds, the whole of Voldemort's community of followers had Apparated into the room.

Among them was Bellatrix Lestrange, who instantly stepped to Voldemort's left hand and bowed. Also stepping forward was Peter Pettigrew. He looked haughty as he stepped to the front near Greyback. His silver hand was covered by a large glove.

The last Death Eater to step from the shadows to face his Master was Lucius Malfoy, Draco by his side, looking fearful, rather like a mouse. They all bowed and awaited Voldemort's word.

"Now that Harry Potter's appearance has been made known to us all, his capture or death is now our first priority. Many of you have not been told, but I have known Potter was alive for some time now. To my dismay, my efforts to control him were thwarted." He turned to his left to look at Lestrange. "Tell me, Bellatrix. Why could I not track his movement?"

Lestrange stepped back, fearful. "I-I do not know my Lord... I did exactly as you told me. I spotted him at the Edifice with the traitor Beauregard and asked you whether I should kill him. You told me you would rather trace his whereabouts, for you had plans concerning him. You handed me the golden amulet and directed me to somehow make sure he received it, no matter what, and I did! I-I disguised myself as an old woman and he took it! I saw him place it around his neck!"

"And yet, I was not aware of where he was, and, as a result, many of my loyal minions were attacked tonight and I lost a treasure I hold dear." Voldemort was speaking with a slight smile in his face, but it did not escape anyone that rage was rising in his face and voice.

"My Lord!" Bellatrix screamed, getting on her knees and facing Voldemort with her head bowed, shivering from head to toe. "I will do it! I will not fail this time! Give me another chance!"

"You will all learn tonight that I do not accept failure." Voldemort pulled out his wand, and pointed it at her.

"Avada Kedavra!"

The room was silent as the lifeless body of Bellatrix Lestrange fell to the ground, her dead eyes staring wide up at the ceiling. Greyback, Wormtail, and Lucius Malfoy had smirks on their faces, but the rest of the room looked either timid or horrified. Voldemort swiftly put his wand back inside his robes and waved his hand nonchalantly. "Get this refuse out of my presence and throw her to the dogs." Once more, two Death eaters came forward and dragged Lestrange out. Voldemort adjusted himself in his chair, and began to address the rest of the Death Eaters once more.

"I have a new task for you, Fenrir." Greyback approached Voldemort and bowed. "I want you to track Potter's two friends. They are under the protection of Dumbledore's magic, but that will only apply when they are under the building or cave or whichever place they use as a base of operations. It has become increasingly obvious to me that Potter heavily favors and loves the Weasley boy and the Mudblood girl. Find them and follow them. And if you find they are of no use to you in finding Potter himself, kill them."

Greyback nodded, licking his chops, and quickly exited the room.

"Wormtail," Pettigrew's smirk was wiped off his face, but he quickly approached Voldemort and bowed. "Take some of my followers and go to Nargog. Show him this." Voldemort pulled a small purple crystal out of his robes and held it out. It floated out of his hand and zoomed over to the outstretched hands of Wormtail, who took it, but looked fearful. "You will stand guard over Rowena Ravenclaw's wand until I direct you with further orders."

"And this... this will protect your servant from Nargog... my Lord?" Wormtail replied hesitantly.

"Perhaps," Voldemort said with a look of impudence. "I do not need to stress that you are testing my patience, Wormtail. I expect that you can handle such a simple task as to guard an object that is untouchable?"

"I will do whatever you wish, my Lord. Although, if I can... uh... ask you... Master, may I kill Potter should I come across him?"

"You?" Voldemort replied with a sardonic smile. "I wasn't aware you had the desire for his blood."

"He made a fool out of me, and even when I was the only one at your side when you were without a body, Master, I get no respect from the others. I want to show I am a true servant. Plus, Potter is a brat, like his father of course." Voldemort sneered at his last comment, as if he could see right through the pestilent little man's pitiful attempts at worship. He waved his hand, looking past him.

"Go, and do not fail me, Wormtail. You do not want to meet the fate of Lestrange."

Wormtail bowed shakily and stumbled out of the room, four Death Eaters following suit behind him.

"Lucius..." Voldemort continued. He was volleying off commands to his subordinates as if nothing had happened to his Horcrux that night... as if he had not just murdered one of his most loyal servants. Lucius Malfoy approached Voldemort and bowed. Draco stayed behind him, looking solemn and fearful. Meanwhile, his father looked proud.

"Lucius, you have done well. You suffered in Azkaban, even though it was good that you should suffer for failing to get the prophesy for me. However, your Master rewards those who follow me even to prison or death. For you, I have a special task." Voldemort pulled one last item out of his robes - a tiny scroll that was rolled by two small wooden handles. Lucius opened it and read it. After a few seconds, a smile crept onto his face.

"My Lord, it is an honor! I will use this against him and will not fail! Please, if I may be so bold, my Lord, I request permission to bring my son along so that I may teach him how to best serve you."

"Very well," Voldemort nodded. Lucius bowed once more and he and Draco left Voldemort's presence. Voldemort looked among the rest of the Death Eaters, who were waiting, most of whom he could sense were afraid. "As for the rest of you, you have been shown a very powerful example of what I do to those who fail me, and what I do to those who are successful. Go now, but be ready at a moment's notice, for the time of my full and glorious arrival is dawning."

Everyone that was left Apparated away in a flash and Snape turned to leave as well, before Voldemort stopped him.

"Severus, I have a task for you as well."

"Whatever you ask, My Lord," Snape said, turning back towards Voldemort.

"Find who is using the magic known as Amor Immensus. Someone has harnessed its ability, and it must be mine. I was able to discover it was used in the vicinity of London - go and tell me what you find. It is most likely being used by a wizard who has no idea of its great power."

"That magic has not been seen in a thousand years. You had said once before that the secret to the magic was possibly in Slytherin's Magical Tome. Could someone have found it?"

"The book is lost, Severus. Surely, you would know if I could not find it, it does not exist. You are not afraid, are you?" Voldemort gave Snape a withering look as he asked him.

"Not at all, My Lord." Snape was unfazed and answered Voldemort with an even voice, his greasy face relaying almost boredom. "However, if indeed, the book had been found and the result was the discovery of Amor Immensus, then I would have better known both the one who was using the magic and how to take it from him. If you say the book does not exist, then it, of course, does not exist."

"Severus, you are a clever one. You are also my most trusted Death Eater and I will tell you why: because I see the loathing for Potter in your heart. You cannot hide it, although I ponder whether you even want to. You will have your day, Severus. Soon, Potter will be mine, and you will be the first to have your revenge."

Snape nodded and walked briskly out of the door. Voldemort watched after him, his eyes narrowing one last time.

* * *

January 10^th

Harry got up from the ground in the White Room. He seemed calm enough but his chest was pounding. He would have been surprised to know the people outside could not hear his thumping heart. Will this be my fate? Harry shook his head and sat down. Taking his staff, he rubbed its smooth surface unconsciously, thinking of what he should do. If he knew what was going to happen - if he knew his fate, what could stop him from changing it? He could avoid any and all ledges. He could bypass any volcanoes and fight Voldemort elsewhere... right?

"Unless it's unavoidable." Harry's eyes wandered to the orb. Its crystal clear brilliance dazzled Harry, as it always did when he gazed into its magnificently lustrous form. He remembered his conversation with Salazar Slytherin, of how the orb had come to be. It was created to avoid the inevitable - death. Like Horcruxes, it was intended to escape fate.

Harry also remembered Amor Immensus. A magic with unlimited possibilities - so many things had come together, like a puzzle. It almost seemed like he was destined for an exact moment - Harry felt miserable because he knew deep down that what he saw was going to happen. He was only slightly encouraged by the fact that he had not actually seen anyone die, including himself. The boxes did not show any death - they just showed seemingly hopeless situations.

Harry decided he should talk to Dumbledore again. Perhaps, with everything he had learned and experienced, portrait Dumbledore could still help in some way. It was the only idea he had. He was not actually quite shocked to have seen what he did. Ever since he was shown the prophesy, he had felt directed towards one cataclysmic fight to the death, which is exactly what that lousy prophesy said in the first place. He couldn't just avoid it - he would have to face it. In Harry's mind, he now had an edge. He could prepare the best he could for what he was destined to face.

Harry opened the door and came out to a group of expectant and anxious faces, all hanging on Harry's very breath. He didn't know what to really say, because there wasn't anything that really needed to be said.

"Minister," he said, turning to Scrimgeour, "the time is drawing near. I have seen the world's fate, but there is still hope. Voldemort cannot be allowed to supplement his forces. The Dementors must be banished from all Ministry use and a full guard must be employed to watch over Azkaban - the wizards you have guarding it now are not enough. Another escape like Lucius Malfoy's would be very critical against our cause."

"That's not possible. I have every Ministry witch and wizard working around the clock here. Our defenses would be thinned beyond reasonability."

"Then you need help. I can bring people in, but they would need full protection - for they fight Voldemort in hiding."

"Under whose leadership?" Scrimgeour asked doubtfully.

"Viktor Krum's." Harry heard a slight gasp come from Hermione's direction.

"The Quidditch player?" Scrimgeour said half-mocking, half-apprehensively. "Get off it. He leads an underground network of spies against You-Know-Who?" Harry's lack of a response brought Scrimgeour to the realization that Harry was not joking. "I see. Well yes, of course. If you trust him, then yes... if we need new defenses for Azkaban, then contact him, and we will cater to everything he might need."

"If it's possible, could I borrow the pensieve?" Harry asked.

"Um sure," Scrimgeour answered, flustered. "Take it. We have a few more to spare."

"Thank you." Harry had already magicked the large bowl away, safely in his possession. He started off towards the exit, motioning Ron and Hermione to follow.

"Wait!" Scrimgeour shouted out in surprise. "What is going to happen?"

"War," Harry turned and said simply. "I will send Hedwig to you when we are prepared to go after the last Horcrux in hiding. You must leave that to us, however, for the battle afterwards is when the Ministry must be fully prepared to fight."

Harry sat on his bed, looking at the pensieve on his desk in apprehension. He had been waiting for only a couple minutes, the silvery fluid in the bowl shimmering from the afternoon sun. Worthwhile basked on his post as the light streamed through the window. Harry was waiting for Ron and Hermione.

They appeared suddenly from the pensieve bowl - they had been viewing Harry's memory of the vision the two boxes gave him. Hermione and Ron looked at each other, feeling a little scared.

"Harry, I don't know what to say," Hermione whispered quietly.

"This doesn't change anything Harry," Ron said. "We've seen it and now we know we can avoid it. Let's just stay away from any cliffs okay?"

"That's the thing of it Ron. I don't think we can avoid it. This is most likely the defense Voldemort has around his Horcrux."

"Then we counter it," Hermione said determinedly.

"How do you mean?"

"Well," Hermione said, scrunching her nose in thought, "we have to find some way to prepare for the situations that are about to unfold. Without this vision, we wouldn't have been able to do anything. Now we can."

"What do you suppose we do?" Ron asked sarcastically. "Learn how to sprout wings and fly?" Hermione and Harry looked at Ron with ludicrous faces. "Oh yeah!" he said, suddenly remembering he was capable of using the Trinny charms.

"You have a good point, Hermione," Harry said. "If we can't avoid this fate, then we can prepare for it and change our fate in a different way. We just have to." He looked from them to Worthwhile and back. "The four of us are in this together, but we are face to face with our destinies and we must meet the challenge."

END Chapter 15