To The Last (Book 7 of the "K-pop Chronicles")

Rest and Preparation (Andrew's POV)

I let everyone rest for a few days. They're gonna need the rest because the training they'll be going through is way beyond anything they've experienced thus far. And we have two weeks to get ready. However, I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this war. What is this feeling that I'm experiencing? Siyeon comes over and taps me on the shoulder.

Siyeon: Andrew?

Me: Hey, Siyeon, what's up?
Siyeon: I need to ask you something.

Me: Ask away.
Siyeon: How can we possibly awaken our pure states in two weeks?
Me: One, faith. Two, it will take honest soul-searching.
Siyeon: How do we do that?
Me: You have to look at your whole being. You have to see and accept every single aspect of yourself because you can enter your pure state?
Siyeon: So all the demons too?
Me: Yes, accept that your demons are there and embrace them. But don't let them overtake you.
Siyeon: That's terrifying.

Me: Yes, it is very terrifying. However, it is absolutely essential if we are to stand any chance at all of winning this war.

Siyeon: So we can win it with the pure states?
Me: I hope so.
Siyeon: i just want this to be over.
Me: As do i.

As she walks away, I almost burst into tears. I can't handle this feeling I have. What if I don't have the courage to do what needs to be done? We need to win this war, but will we have the strength?

I go to BoA.

Me: How can I possibly have the courage to do what needs to be done?

BoA: The Lord will give you the courage and strength if you ask Him.

Me: I wish there was another way.
BoA: As do I. But the Lord has His reasons. We just need to trust in Him.
Me: Stay with me, please.
BoA: Always.

I go off on my own.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow is the day of the final fight, and I'm mortified. I hope this works. I bring everyone together and start to speak.

Me: I know we're all scared. I know that we're all worried that we may not live through this. However, we have something that the enemy doesn't. We have something to fight for. We fight for each other. We fight for the sake of the world. We have to win this. Any other option is not an option. And I know that the pressure is real, but we can, will, and must win. We cannot allow the enemy to win! Let's fight, and let's win! Circle up.

We all circle up and put our arms around each other. As we do, energy rises up like a fire inside all of us. Hair and eyes change in all of us, even Jamie's.

Me: Now, let's go, and never forget what, and who, we're fighting for!

With that, we gather up our weapons and march out to Pirate's Cove. During the march, Siyeon comes up to me.

Siyeon: Hey, Andrew.

Me: Hey there, Siyeon.
Siyeon: What's wrong?
Me: Nothing. Just thinking about the war.
Siyeon: Andrew, please talk to me.
Me: Siyeon, I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. I need everyone to focus on the task ahead of us.

Siyeon: I am focused on that. However, I also sense there's something you're not telling us.

I glance in her direction.

Me: Look, we have a big battle in front of us, and there's a lot on all of our minds. Please drop it.
Siyeon: Fine. But I know something's up.

She goes back to where she was before, and five minutes later, a big piece of wall disappears to our left, and we walk through it into bright sunlight. All of us are temporarily blinded as I hear laughter erupt around us.

Female voice: Well, look who it is. I was wondering if you had gotten lost. I was about to come look for you, but you showed yourselves after all.

My eyes adjusted to the brightness, and I saw a lone figure standing in the mouth of the cave.

Me: Who are you?
Woman: Who am I? You don't know? I'm the Boss.

I laugh mirthlessly.

Me: You, the Boss? Please!
Boss: Ah, you must be Andrew. I've heard a lot about you. You've got spunk, huh?

Me: Dang right! Now who are you really?
Boss: Ah, you want me to reveal my Na-Me? I think not. Come on, I know better.
Me: Actually, genius, I was asking for your human name?
Boss: Ah, yes. You see, you already know who I am.
Me: Tell me. I want you to say it.
Boss: I'm Eunbin, and I'm the one that will defeat you here today.

Me: Eunbin, you underestimate our power, and today you will pay for it.

She laughs mirthlessly as I rush her, with my family in tow.