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When he doesn't answer, I add, "I felt it inside the center of my head. Up against pure evil, the only power I had was centered there, inside my mind's eye. My vision twisted and distorted until two large wings pierced out of my back. I flew over the ravaged lands of the world, and the people rose with new energy guiding them. Within seconds, I built an army."

"The devil's fantasy," Loki says. "What makes you think this illusion was your doing?"

I shrug. "Because I heard him scream. I weakened him. Though, I'll admit I'm not sure how I did it," I say. "But the point is, we can defeat them. Lucifer, Beelzebub, Satan. We can beat all of them."

Heimdall sighs. "We have seen so much, yet we are so far from knowing what to do."

"We can't give up hope," Ash says.

"What are you thinking we should do?" Loki asks. "We can't drive around the country forever. The Civic's almost out of gas, and we're running short on money."

"I've got about a hundred bucks. That should last us a few tanks," I say.

Ash digs in his pocket and pulls out a few quarters. "Shit," he mutters.

"I've got fifty," Heimdall says.

I nod and get to thinking.

Reaching into my pocket, I feel the USB stick, but I don't feel the usual weight of its power. Instead, I think about all it can do for us. It might be a direct way into securing some quick cash, though it would come with some extra risk.

"I need to get to a computer," I say.

"A computer? You want to head back to that library?" Loki jokes.

"No thanks. A hotel will do," I say.

He laughs, but I'm not joking around. I've got a hunch, and I think it is important.

"I've still got the company's data source. Whatever revenue is coming through will show up on the spreadsheet. That sheet auto-updates every ten minutes. Every account number is listed for the portfolio managers to see. If you get me to a computer, I can login to the database and disable the accounts. Within a second’s time, all of the money will be frozen. I'll be the only one with access."

"What's the point of that?" Loki asks, grumpy as usual.

"It'll create a diversion. We can use that time to find the angels," I say.

"Sounds like you still want revenge," Loki argues.

Maybe I do. But I'm not going to say it out loud.

"We're fighting against the apocalypse, and we're trying to build an army. We need to take control of the situation. If I gain access, we'll have their balls in our hands. They'll have to listen to us," I say.

"And you think this is feasible?" Heimdall asks.

Ash starts to get annoyed. "Look, she said it's possible. We have no other plan. What else do you need?"

"I've handled these accounts for almost a decade. I alone have access. With the correct pin-codes, social security numbers, and login info, they'll be obligated to oblige. It's all on the USB."

Ash smiles. "It's the best plan I've heard so far. Is there any possibility of failure?"

I reply, "Anything is possible, I suppose. But even if they go to extremes to find us, we'll be off the grid. I'll liquidate the accounts, and the whole thing will implode."

Loki scoffs, and I just want to sock him in the jaw. Of course, I hold back my irritation. Now is not the time to fight. It's the time to lead.

I resent that Loki has been continually set against any idea that I've offered. I may not be a god like them, but Odin said it himself. I am special in my own right. I hold a key to something yet to be understood. It is in my namesake.

Raven.

In Heimdall's hand is a stack of crumpled newspaper articles, the same ones taken from the disciples inside of the library's basement. "Fine. We'll find a roadside hotel. That'll give us a chance to figure out where we should head to next. In any case, we have a crude map to follow. I'll study it more closely."


Tags: Penelope Woods Fantasy