The Glass Weaver | A Novel #Wattys2018 #Wattys2019

Chapter 14

The plan took the rest of the day for us to get together and hatch out a plan. There were several arguments about what we should do, how we should do it, and in the end, we would end up scrapping it because it interfered with another piece. It wasn't clockwork, more like being stuck in traffic with no end in sight. 

The plan was this: 

1. Gather intel on The Ender's base and any other bases that could harbor many Aquariusian people.

2. Gather weapons, ammo, supplies.

3. Gather allies and rebellions

4. Create a synchronized attack at several bases

5. Sneak into the main base where The Ender lies

6. Attack The Ender

7. Force his commanders to surrender or face death

8. If not dead already, find Jazz and free her

That much was what we figured out. But that was a simple plan. We didn't have a plan for anything major. We didn't know what was occurring down there and our scanners most definitely couldn't pick it up. But for now, we needed to find something to enter the underwater domes and not die to the dangerous salty sea that would dry us up the second we touched it.

"So we have our plan, but why isn't it in action?" Parker asked for the millionth time, and it was starting to get on my nerves.

"For the millionth time, Parker! We need to find a way into the domes unsuspected. We also need to find out what is going on down there so we know how to blend in. What if they have special markings? Or special attire?" I spoke in a monotone voice. At this point, the answer was committed to memory in my head.

"We need to figure this out or we will never make it to the next day."

"Parker, what part of any of it do you not understand?" Lacey argued, furrowing her brows. 

Before Parker could reply, I butted in and said, "Look it is late. We can continue this in the morning. Who is keeping watch?"

Corrig raised his hand, "I'll keep watch for most of the night and switch with Parker."

Parker shrugged, "Whatever. We can split it half and half if you want."

"I'll stay up along with whoever wants to stay up with me," I spoke, getting up and standing near the door.

Corrig was the first to respond, "I will stay up with you. Parker and Lacey can take the second watch."

Everyone nodded and I watch the two of them go to their beds. Sighing, I sat near the door and looked out the small low peak hole. Corrig just sat in his chair, looking out of the window. It seemed very tense in here, almost too tense. I wasn't sure if I should say something, but what if it made it tenser?

"Nev, you okay?" Corrig asked, looking over his shoulder at me.

"I don't know. I thought I knew what I was doing, but it is like I don't know anything at all. The gods and goddesses, all sitting on their golden thrones, care nothing about their lives. Sure, they are 'immortal' and 'eternal' but that doesn't mean anything when where they draw their power from is slowly dying because of a prophecy that was supposed to doom our people." I grew frustrated, slamming my fist into the wall.

"It's all okay, Nevada. We came here for a reason, so we will follow you. It is not like we can leave now. If we die, that is fine. At least we will have died for something greater than us."

"Don't say stuff like that, Corrig! No one is going to die if I have anything to say about it."

"You can't stop death. Necros and Thade only can."

"If I have to, I will knock on their doors and fight tooth and nail to get you guys back."

"Nevada, relax. This is something you cannot control. If we can save our home, let us die trying. Jazz would say the same thing, you know that."

I scoffed, "So what? If she would say that, why does that matter? I've come to save her and anyone else we can get out. We can't stop fate. Arolos knows better than me to stop fate in its tracks."

"Nevada, please. Can you think rationally for one goddamn moment? It is four of us against an infinite number of enemies or even our own who will do anything to save their skin. Just because you come from a high house means nothing. My house means nothing when they are dying and have to anything and everything to save their skins. Children don't even matter anymore when it comes to survival."

I sighed and turned away from him. He was right, like every other time. Why is pride my downfall? Why can't I do anything right for once? Am I so incompetent that he has to shut down my bullshit whenever I open my mouth? It has been a long day yet nothing has been done to stop The Ender in his tracks.

"I think I need to sleep this off. I'll wake Parker and he can take over." I stated and walked out of the main area.

What felt like a few minutes was actually an hour and a half. Gently shaking Parker, he groaned and it took everything in me not to do something stupid, like pour water onto him to get him awake. After a few minutes of nudging, he finally got up and took over for my shift. I got into my bed and fell straight to sleep, which seemed odd.

Dream~~

I found myself in a cage hanging over a pit. I couldn't see anything down, but I couldn't see anything above me either. There was chattering and there were insults being spewed. When I could finally see, I saw a number of demons and I saw Lythos and Tykei. What were they doing in my dream again?

Then I heard the voice from before, the one that made everything inside my churn and my DNA seeming to split. It bellowed, "My followers! My cursed bretheren! Under that damned Seraph's rule, we have had nothing but pain and suffering. Now before us is who Rever, my own blood, thought that could save them from us. Alas, she reigns in a dream pulled by his strings."

There was a lot of screams, screeches, and other noises. All of them are very unsettling. Then Dahel spoke again, "No matter what, we can still torture her until Rever pulls the plug. How long will this go unnoticed? What does this mere girl have against any of us?"

The cage slowly began to descend and the monsters and creatures slowly began to get closer. Rever! Why am I going through all of this? What did I do this? 

Dahel only laughed as I shook with fear. I couldn't comprehend him, it was too much. The demons surrounded and tore at the cage. Dahel bellowed, "The supposed chosen one reduced to nothing but a shell. Full of fear, there is nothing she can do!"

Then a warm voice filled my head, "I am sorry you had to see this. Even with my father's control, I am left to this. You are in trouble. My siblings all are under his control, but I am only slightly because of the other gods and goddesses."

End of Dream~~

I sat up quicker than the speed of light, my face and body full of sweat and tears. How long was I asleep? What is Rever toying me for? What am I to literal gods who can destroy me with a single touch? Lacey wasn't in her bed, and neither was Corrig. It must be morning or something. These dreams, no these nightmares, are getting out of control but I can't help wanting to see more. Why is Rever showing me these nightmares? Is what he said true?

Am I nothing really?