Shadow of The Marked: Divine Series

by J. G. Maltos

  I choke back a cry and I catch the scene in front of me. A couple of hundred bodies lay dead on the battlefield. Bodies of the rebellions and Lighting sides alike. A selfish part of me wishes that it was no one I knew in the mass of bodies.

  Across the way, Nathaniel is fighting against four lightning guards on his own. I sprint to him and throw a wall of stone up for protection. Nathaniel takes a large step back as my stone wall increases. He scans the field and relief washes over his features as his eyes land on me.

  “Saving your butt again,” I pant.

  Nathaniel rolls his eyes and looks around. “We are losing.”

  My chest tightens. “I know. We need to get on the ship.”

  “No, you need to get back on the ship,” he orders. Chaos erupts on the field as another round of lightning comes blazing down from the sky. I turn towards the noise but before I realize what is happening. I am pushed behind Nathaniel. But the lightning was too quick to lift any form of shield.

  It all happens so fast that I cannot register in time as Nathaniel takes the bolt straight to his heart and falls. I hear a yell from around me until I realize it is me screaming his name.

  I gaze at the lightning soldier wide-eyed, as he has his arm stretched out. I look down at Nathaniel's still body and I fall to my knees. With one swift motion, I crushed the soldier metal inward. I can feel his bone-crushing ever so slowly under my palms. Blood began to spew from the lightning guard's mouth. Tears trail down my hot cheeks in anger and anguish. I close my hands, crushing the metal completely inward. A gasp escapes my dried lips.

  I look down in sorrow, “No!No!N-No!” I fall to my knees next to him. I frantically run my hands across Nathaniel's body not knowing what to do. I feel the bile crawling up my throat as I take in the charred circle on his chest.

  “Please w-wake up,” I beg. I grip his shoulders hoping shaking him would magically bring him back to me.

  “Don’t leave me. I need your light! I need you…” I whisper to the winds.

  He stays perfectly still and peaceful. His sapphire blue eyes stare at the sky. I lift a trembling hand and slowly close his eyes just as I had done to my mother. I stroke his cheek lightly wishing I could feel the warmth back on his face. My hand lightly grazes his eye as I see a water droplet placed delicately under his eyes. I lift my hand and notice his beautiful delicate snowflake has melted from the chain he had gifted me when we started this trip.

  “N-n-nooo!” I bawl as I grip Nathaniel's face between my palms.

  I pull Nathaniel towards me on the ground. I lift my arms once more as the roaring thunder echoes through the field. My face is wet from tears as I place a trembling hand on his still chest.

  A flash of lightning hits the ground and I use my body to cover Nathaniel. He cannot stay here. I look around frantically, trying to find a familiar face. A body rushes towards me and I raise my hand to protect myself. I relax as I realize it is only Bash running to me. I use my sleeve to wipe away my tears as he bends down to us.

  “I didn’t see it,” I gasp, “I don’t want to l-leave him here.” I clasp his body tighter.

  Bash's brown eyes gloss over with unshed tears as he looks down at his best friend. “He died in an honorable way. This is what we are trained for.” He leans forward, “Give him to me. I will take him to the ship.” I pull him closer to me. I don’t want to leave him. Bash places a calm hand on my shoulder, bringing me out of my thoughts. “I promise we will not leave him here. I will take him to the ship.”

  I hiccup a cry as I slowly lose my grip on Nathaniel's shirt. My heart aches as I come to realize I will no longer get annoyed with his playful remarks. Bash leans in and picks him up. I hold my breath when I see Bash features breakdown when he looks down at Nathaniel. He gives me a broken smile and turns toward the ship.

  I rise from the floor and catch Elite Zara and her husband at the top of the hill. Rage takes over every bone in my body.

  Cowards!

  Hiding away from the battle, while killing their soldiers. Without a second thought, I rush past the fighters around me and head straight for the Elites.

  This ends here.

  Their blood will be with the people they just killed. I pump my arms as fast as they can through the battlefield. Sweat trickles down my face as I keep maneuvering through the crowd of people, where I catch sight of Aries.

  His shadows are falling more frequently. He is tired and running out of energy. Koura is fighting with many men, each blow making less of an impact than the last.

  I wince as I notice a guard among a lightning arrow towards his arm and hitting his target. Koura drops his sword on the ground from the impact. He creates an ice barrier, giving him time to recover. He is tired and wounded but he manages to stand.

  I hear my heartbeat beating against my ribs. I push my arms and legs to move faster but it feels like I'm running on quicksand. I catch sight of Aries as two of his shadows stay up firm, but three of them fall and disappear.

  Before I know it I hear Koura yelling from the crowd. He is down on his knees. A guard takes this moment and jabs his bright eclectic sword into Koura's side.

  Koura howls in pain. My vision clouds with Nathaniel's lifeless body. I shake my head, not wanting to accept what I am seeing. My eyes sting red as I run toward him. My lungs burn from the lack of air but my mind does not care. Saving Koura is the only thing in my mind.

  Koura looks at the Lightning guard with indifference. Not Koura! Please, not Koura!

  I notice the guard drop his sword. He opens his palms and places them around his head. A white light flashes around his head causing the whites of his eyes to show. I release a battle cry as I lift my arm and raise a large stone and slam it against the Lightning guard back. I throw myself on top of Koura and instantly place my palms on the ground. I push my abilities and create a stone-like dome.

  I gasp for air as I pry my eyes open. I am scared of what I will see. Was I too late? Is he alive? Can I live without him?

  My lips tremble as I take in Koura's state. I feel my body go on autopilot as I take in the blood that he has already lost. His bright hazel eyes are dimmed.

  My chest heaves at his state, “I need to do something. Tell me what to do.”

  “Shhhh,” Koura hushes me. “Do not be frightened. It’s okay.” He smiles but quickly flinches as I try to see the wound.

  I look at him with teary eyes. “I am so sorry!”

  Koura's mouth opens and closes and I instantly lean in closer. “I will do it all again for you.”

  I hiccup a cry “No. I can fix you, just tell me what to do,” I beg. My eyes brim as I look around frantically needing something, looking for something. I can physically feel my heart breaking with every second that passes.

  “Look—look at me.” He catches my head as I try to pull away from him. I try to shake my head away as his thumb catches a tear that has escaped down my chin. The ache in my chest returns tenfold.

  “No!” I yell. “Let me put pressure on it,” My voice cracks as I take off my jacket and place it on his open wound. I groan out, noticing his blood seeping straight through it.

  “You are a great leader! An astonishing woman. Do not let the actions of those around you deter you from being the person you are.” His breathing quickens and more blood falls onto the ground. His blood lands on a stone, covering it.

  “Don’t speak like that! You are going to live. That’s a Queen's order.”

  Koura winces as he tries to talk, “I’m afraid that’s an order I can’t follow through with.” This cannot be happening. How can I save him, when he has always been the one saving me, caring for me.

  The crystal. It’s the same voice from the throne room and the one from my dream. Arret.

  “The Shadow Crystal. It could heal you.” I rush out.

  “You’re forgetting one small detail,” he laughs. “I’m not a Shadow Soldier.”

  I flinch as I hear the thunder collide against my dome. My arms shake beneath me, feeling eve
ryone's abilities trying to break down my stone. I am running out of time and energy to keep this dome up.

  The one barring all elements would restore balance in blood and life, Arret repeats. Her voice feels like a feather’s touch in the back of my head.

  My mother was overprotective of her necklace. Zara said my father knew of the location of it. It was a necklace that has been in the family for generations.

  Koura hazel eyes flutter closed for a moment.

  “I will save you. I promise.” I yank the necklace from my neck. The beautiful clear crystal looks perfect within my grasp. The white rose looks untouched, perfectly incased. I use the sharp part of the crystal and place it at the edge of my arm, where my blood with black particles trickled from where the guard sliced me with his knife.

  It sizzles and it heats my palms. I drop it on the floor, surprised by the reaction of my blood. Smoke engulfs the stone. My anxiety shoots through the roof. The smoke starts to clear, revealing a black sharded crystal. I gasp.

  Koura stares at it, just as amazed as me. “You had the Shadow Crystal all along. That is why Aries has been getting more powerful. He was near it all this time.” He looks at me with tired eyes, “But, how did you know?”

  “Stupid lightning guards spoke too much,” I choke back a laugh and wipe away the sweat and tears on my face.

  “You can bring them back.” Blood spews out from the corners of his mouth.

  “I can. I will.” Tears brim my eyes at the thought of what I had to do, at what I was now more than willing to do. “I will not lose you, too.” My hands reach for the black sharded crystal as it still connects with my necklace. The one barring all elements would restore balance in blood and life.

  “Althea?” There’s a tremble in his voice, a fear I haven’t heard from him yet. My face turns away. If I look at him now, I might lose all courage that had built inside of me.

  “I can save you.” Koura's eyes narrow at my tone.

  “Al?” He calls but I ignore his pleading hands that reach for my arms. I close my eyes and connect with my Shadow abilities. My vision sharpens while I catch the slight movement of shadows dancing across my eyes. I did it!

  “End this. End them all,” I command and send the message to Aries. The ball of shadow passes through the stone, leaving me and Koura behind. I hope that worked. Please work.

  I look back at Koura and lean in close. His eyes dilate as he sees the dark shadows in my eyes. I smile at him and his gaze locks on my lips. I can smell his smoky scent in the makeshift barrier. I hear the commotion outside my walls. I feel the thousands of people running on the ground. I feel the eclectic current from the lightning colliding on the floor. But what scares me the most is feeling Koura's heartbeat slowing.

  I take in his hazel hues that give me so much comfort and love. My eyes trail down to his parted lips and I close the distance between us. He gasps but welcomes them without a second's doubt.

  He raises his hand, gripping the back of my head pulling me in closer. My tears land softly on his face. My heart breaks with every treacherous kiss I plant against his lips, knowing what I need to do.

  I give him one last kiss as I grip the shadow crystal on my right hand, and with one swift movement, I thrust it to my heart. I gasp from the pain, breaking our kiss. I feel the pain first expand from my chest like a shock wave. Koura looks up at me in surprise before settling into worry.

  “Althea!” The pain is evident in his voice.

  My vision blurs as I try to take one last look at Koura's handsome features. I feel the power of the crystal heating deep in my chest. I cry out from the burn.

  “Althea!” He roars trying to move. His eyes fill with worry and he grips my shoulders. He looks me over and his shattered expression turns one of anger as he sees the crystal lodge in my chest. “Why!” He howls as his tears run down his flushed cheeks.

  “End this and save them all,” I whisper. The pain I feel is far more intense than any pain I have endured in my life.

  My stone barrier collapses around us as the roars of thunder sound from the outside. I can still feel the blood battle that is happening under my palms. Bodies hit the ground causing larger vibrations.

  I spot Aries between the mass of bodies that fill the field. He closes his eyes as his shadows travel around him. His face looks strained and his shadows radiate away from him. Aries's eyes snap open when he connects with the crystal. The wounds around his face start to clear. A gurgling cry escapes my lip causing Aries head to snap to me. His hands start to shake as he takes me in. He forces his gaze towards the palms of his hands. His veins have turned black with his abilities. He gasps as he starts to connect with his crystal.

  His connection to the crystal lights up a burn in my body causing me to slump to the floor. The loss of feeling creeps up my legs and arms. Aries shadows manifest around him and he sprints towards me, passing Koura's wounded body. His face turns to one of disbelief as he pulls me into his arms. His body shakes against mine with sadness. “I heard you. I heard you,” he whispers into my ear.

  “P-please,” I gasp out. “Save him.” I manage to say before my chest stops moving. A gurgling cry escapes Aries lips. Koura yells my name beside me. My chest continues to burn and all I can do is think of the pain.

  Aries moves onto his knees and pulls me into his strong embrace. He places my head in the crook of his neck, my hot breath grazing his skin. His large hands cup the back of my head. “Not when the rivers stop flowing,” he whispers in my ear. “Nor when the sun falls from the sky, or when the world dies down in fire and flood, would I ever stop loving you, My Princess; My Queen.”

  I can only stare at his words. My body is ablaze from the inside out. He moves me slowly and places me on the floor. My tears fall toward the side of my face and onto the ground like raindrops. Koura is silent beside me. I don’t know if he heard Aries' words or if he is on the brink of death.

  My eyes land on Aries once more as his shadows stand around him, and with one swift motion, he crumbles the surrounding guards. The light of the moon shines as it lays at the peak of the sky. Frost, Fire, Earth, Wind, Lightning, and Shadow surround us.

  The field is chaotic but Aries stands tall like an avenging angel as his shadows spread away from him as if wings. His shadows materialize before him with ease. The fire in my body engulfs me as he continues to channel the crystal inside of me. Hundred of his shadows cover the field.

  His army, his vengeance.

  It is time, Divine Althea, Arret declares in my head.

  With one last gasp, my eyes cloud over and I welcome the darkness. I know the Earth Kingdom will be free, knowing now that I am free.

  Divine Series : Book Two

  THRONE

  OF THE

  DIVINE

  About the Author

  J. G. Maltos grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, where she discovered her love for basketball in her early years. She now enjoys reading Fantasy and Greek Mythology books. You can find her reading any of those genre books outside in the Texas heat. She is one of three daughters of immigrant parents from Nuevo Laredo and Zacatecaz. She loves her parents immensely and hopes to one day repay them for all of the sacrifices they have done for her and her sisters.

  I Love You!

  J. G. Maltos creció en Fort Worth, Texas, donde descubrió su amor por el baloncesto en sus primeros años. Ella ahora disfruta leyendo libros de fantasía o mitología griega. La puedes encontrar leyendo cualquiera de esos géneros afuera en el calor de Texas. Ella es una de tres hijas de inmigrantes de Nuevo Laredo y Zacatecas. Ella ama a sus padres y espera un día poder darles todo por los sacrificios que han hecho por ella y sus hermanas.

  Los Amo!

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  twitter.com/jg_maltos

  Acknowledgments

  Luis A. Maltos, Brenda Gonzalez, Alejandro & Alejandro Salinas Jr, Lizeth Gonzalez, Irma Gonzalez, Maximo Gonzalez, Elia Roa Rivas, Elpidio Maltos, Cecilia Maltos, Veronica Sanchez, Marcos & Marcos Maltos Jr,
Cecy Lopez, Manny Saucedo, Edna Salas, Leslie Munos, Daniel Salas, Brenda DeLaRosa, Deana Brookshire, Amarainie Marquez, Yazmin Maltos, Cherish Danae, Carla Sosa, Valerie Dormer, Maricela Lara, Rachael Davis, Holly Dixon, E.J.Mellow, and Amy A. Bartol.