"We should prepare," Ash explains, "he'll come to us."

"Yeah," Marcie replies, "that makes sense. I'll go grab some armor from the blacksmith so we're well protected. Phoenix, you help Ash train until I get back."

Marcie dashes down the street and around the corner.

Do you trust Gene?

"What?" Ash asks.

Uh, Ash, who are you talking to?

Do you really think he's forgotten what you did to his brother?

"No," Ash replies to someone who isn't there, "why do you ask?"

All in due time, Outsider. For now, know this, I am still the Author Slayer, and I will not allow anyone to stop me. Also, you can't trust those who roll the die. Trust me.

"How about no?" Ash asks.

Ash seriously, what the shit?

"I was thinking out loud," Ash replies.

...

OK, I guess.

"Hey," Pheonix asks, "do you really wanna train? I mean, you should be able to develop the power to reroll, but if we're training and you roll a one..."

Ash thinks. They have a choice to make...