"Who opened the gates?"
Christine shook her head, looking down at her nephew, Apollo, who laid in her arms. She couldn’t tell them that he was the key to sending Hades back to Hell. Adam, holding a brainwashed Alexander, followed his mom. They walked into the cave. Seeing them, Aaliyah fell to her knees in disbelief. She ran to her boys, but they hissed and growled at her.
"What did they do to my angels?"
Her voice seemed to reach them and their eyes changed back to normal, but Christine had spaced out in thought.
There must be another way! How can we stop this? she wondered. The earth continued to shake as fire began falling from the sky.
"What's happening out there, Christine?" Aaliyah asked.
"It's the end of the world, Aaliyah. He's returned."
"No! How? Where did they find the key?"
Shaking her head and crying, Christine looked in Apollo’s direction which broke Aaliyah’s heart.
"No! No! No!" she screamed. "There's no way!"
Aaliyah and Adam look at each other and smiled. "We will take him down."
"No, you can't. He will destroy you. He's immortal."
"We have beaten an immortal before, Mom," Aaliyah laughed.
"Not like this," Christine said in fear. "There's only one way to beat him."
"How?" Adam asked.
"To kill the key."
Horror spread across their faces. Could they kill their own cousin to save the world?
13
Days had passed and the sky remained red, but the rain of fire had stopped. Aaliyah tried to bring her babies back to their normal selves, but what they’d seen left them almost soulless. Adam and Aaliyah had attempted to play with them, make them laugh, smile or anything, but all their efforts seemed to be in vain.
Hybrid returned sometime in the night, overwhelmed and distraught by emotion to the point he couldn’t speak. Aaliyah’s heart was heavy thinking of her boys when a scream from the front of the cave startled her. It was Danielle and the Amazons.
"Come outside!" Danielle screamed.
The hybrid clan left the cave to see what was happening. Danielle pointed her spear directly at Apollo with a look of pure ferocity.
"The key. He is the key."
"No." Aaliya shook her head. "It's not him."
"It is him, dear sister, and you know what we must do. We will give you three days with him," Danielle stated.
"That's all?"
"No!" Christine said. "You will not take him. We will find another way."
Danielle snapped at Christine, "How dare you raise your voice to your queen!"
"You are not my queen. I am a hybrid and I say he stays with us."
The Amazons' spears were drawn at the family. They all slowly transformed, preparing to fight.
"You will lose if you attack us," Christine warned.
Danielle was determined and unwavering. "But this is for the greater good, Christine. It's not what we want to do, but what we must do. The only way he can be returned is by the blood of the key, plus a sacrifice!"
Absalon arrived and stood in between them. "We have to figure something out. This child is innocent."
His words fell on deaf ears. As the Amazons walked off, Danielle turned again and held up three fingers. Aaliyah, still in disbelief, held Apollo close to her bosom.
He held her face and for the first time spoke, "Mom, they want to kill me?"
Aaliya shook her head and smiled to reassure him. “No one will touch you."
Adam held Alexander’s hand tight. "You wanna go play?"
Alexander looked at him. "No! I want my mommy."
Crying, he broke away from Adam and ran to his mother’s side. They had been missing for two months and to see them with her again was a wonderful thing, but the world was in turmoil. It was said that East Asia had multiple hurricanes and thousands had died. Hades had raised an army of the dead and was swiftly conquering the world.
Who can stop him? Who will stop him? Hybrid thought.
Hybrid walked past Aaliyah and she tried to stop him. She spoke softly, "Dad."
He stopped for a second and then continued to walk. Christine placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder.
"Just give him time, baby."
Absalon knocked at the cave door. "Hello. May I come in?"
"Sure," Christine yelled back.
Absalon entered and was looked upon by Hybrid. Hybrid growled lowly and bumped Absalon’s shoulder with his as he exited the cave. Absalon and Aaliyah embraced as they saw each other and Aaliyah told her mother that she may be pregnant.
Christine shook her head. "Baby, your dad has gone through so much. Don't tell him. Not yet."
Absalon began to smile and they both blushed. AaliyaH entered, wondering why everyone was smiling, only to be told nothing.
14
Apollo's hair had grown to shoulder length and there was a shadow of darkness that hung over him. Aaliyah fought the darkness with all the love she had. Alexander and Apollo were nowhere near close anymore. They barely spoke. It was heartbreaking to see the twins so distant. Aaliyah brought the boys together to ask why they didn’t talk or play.
They looked at each other and began fighting. It was serious. Apollo had drawn blood with his fist. Christine grabbed Alexander. He was bleeding, but tried to attack back. Aaliyah held Apollo close.
"What is wrong with you two?" Christine asked.
"He's evil! He's here to kill us all!" Alex shouted.
In a deep voice, Apollo responded, "Yes, this world will soon be mine."
Aaliyah shook him and brought him back to reality. He laid his head on her chest while she rubbed his hair. "My sweet child, I will save you somehow."
Aaliyah entered the cave after being away with Absalon. Hybrid sniffed and looked harshly in her direction.
“I can smell him on you,” he said angrily.
“He's my husband, Dad,” Aaliyah retorted. “What do you expect? The world may be ending. I'm gonna enjoy my last moments."
Hybrid stood and looked at his family. "I will kill Hades."
"Baby," Christine said softly, "you can't. There's no way."
"If he bleeds, he can die."
Earthquakes began again as the second day ended. Christine and Aaliyah packed up the boys to hide from the Amazons. Absalon entered the cave to kiss his wife goodbye before she left. Hybrid threw a brick in his direction. It was caught and then crushed by Aaliyah.
"Old man," she growled. "be careful."
“Do not growl at your father, Aaliyah and especially not in my home,” Christine snapped.
Hearing a growl in her voice angered Hybrid. He rose and returned the growl.
Aaliyah cried out. "Please don't fight. Please!"
Hearing her tortured soul calmed them both. Aaliyah, Aaliyah, and Adam flew off, leaving Hybrid and Christine there to discuss plans. They talked for hours, deciding they spend some much needed time together before what may be the end of the world.
* * *
They arrived at the tip of the volcano where Happy Dragon was fond of lying. Hybrid always said it was the Gate of Tartarus, the land where Hades resided. It would be the last place Hades would come and the last place the Amazons would look.
They were there for a few hours when Absalon arrived, waving happily. They all sat talking and spending time with the boys. Thunder filled the air and the earthquakes shook the earth. It was getting worse.
Word came from the north that Hades had now conquered half the world and was heading to their location. The Amazons were prepared for war but searched for Aaliyah and her boy because with his death came the end of the war. He must be thrown into the entrance of Tartarus, thereby killing him which would close the doorway, sucking Hades back in.
Another day passed. Hybrid and Christine arrived to the tip of the volcano. The earth was beginning to split in two. The howls of death filled the air as ashes fell from the sky. The sun no longer shone and darkness filled the land. The
Amazons had finally tracked them down.
Danielle screamed and pleaded. “Give us the boy! It’s almost too late! He’s coming!"
Lightning struck the ground in front of them and opened a large hole in the earth. Fallen Amazon sisters began to rise from the earth. Aaliyah held Apollo close to her in fear as Hades arrived.
"Hello, my child," he said reaching toward Apollo. He was snatched away from Aaliyah and flown up to him.
Spears were thrown by the Amazons, but it was too late. They were easily deflected by Hades who, with one hand, set them ablaze. He looked at the hybrids and Amazons and then smiled and spoke words that sent chills to their soul.
"I'll be back."
In an instant, Hades flew off with Apollo. Aaliyah and Adam stood motionless. The two chosen ones had failed.
15
"You have killed us all," Danielle told them. "There is nothing we can do now except prepare for the end."
"No!" Hybrid yelled. "We will fight and if we die, we die."
Christine held her love’s hand in agreement. A hand on his shoulder from his son showed he agreed. Aaliyah walked to him and laid her head on his chest, a tear fell from him and hit her on the head. He looked at his daughter and told her that he loved her.
Absalon walked towards this family of warriors and said, "I'll fight too."
"What can you do?" Hybrid asked.
"I can try."
"Okay," Hybrid replied. "If you wish to die with us, you can."
Aaliyah’s heart was torn, but she prepared to fight as she gained strength. The Amazon and fearless warrior had been in many battles, her body was full of war scars, but none of these battles had been able to stop her. She hugged Alexander, telling him how much she loved him.
Danielle took him away to keep him safe. A hug was shared between the queen and her most faithful warrior. She turned away. She knew what she had to do, but did she have the strength to do it?
* * *
The hybrid clan tracked Hades and Absalon came too. Hybrid was actually impressed with the peaceful man coming to war with them. Aaliyah and Adam were always ready for war as was Christine.
This was a suicide mission. He looked and realized that if they succeeded, they would not all return. Halfway, they stopped and made camp. They shared stories of themselves, of Aaliyah and Adam growing up, and wars and battles they had fought and won. Absalon told of the centuries in which he had lived and explained how much he loved Aaliyah.
"Ouch!" Aaliyah yelped, holding her stomach.
"What's wrong?" Aaliyah asked.
Aaliyah threw up and was ill. Absalon ran to his wife.
"Mom," Aaliyah called. She gestured toward her father, "I guess you can tell him now."
"Tell me what?" Hybrid asked concernedly.
Absalon looked at Hybrid. "You’re going to be a grandfather."
Hybrid’s face was covered in shock as Adam ran to his father, hoping to hold him back for the anger he might unleash.
Hybrid stood and smiled. He spoke in a very low voice. "I've known for some time now."
"How?" Aaliyah asked.
"I'm a hybrid. I could hear the baby moving inside you. You cannot come with us to fight."
"I must, father. I am the Keeper of the Realm," she cried.
"Aaliyah," he said softly. "The child that you're carrying is why we fight. For hope, a chance to live. If this world should end tomorrow, I promise you that we will fight for our survival, the baby and our realm."
The words gave hope to all in the camp and as the hours faded, they rested and prepared. Tomorrow was the day they would be facing a god.
16
The rumbling of thunder made it hard for them to sleep. A small bit of sunlight broke through the clouds as they set out on the last leg of their journey. Not much was spoken as they prepared for what may be their last moments.
At last, they arrived at the base of the large volcano. Hades' army marched forward. They could hear them from afar. The army was huge; every step sounded like thunder. He laughed with Apollo as they flew over the army and brought pestilence as they trotted forth. Finally, they could see them coming over the horizon.
AaliyaH screamed to her son. “Apollo! Apollo! Mommy’s here!”
She received no reply from him, only laughter from Hades. He gazed at the small group that opposed him.
“Surely there are more of you.”
Aaliyah and Adam drew their swords and transformed, as did Christine and Hybrid. Absalon and Aaliyah drew spears. Hades had an army of five thousand. They began running toward the large army and the battle began.
Swords met flesh and bone as Aaliyah and Adam went through first, quickly followed by Christine and Hybrid, and lastly Aaliyah and Absalon. The war raged as they collided. An intense battle pursued. Many of the dead were ripped apart or beheaded. Scratches and deep wounds marred the clan as they fought for their lives.
Aaliyah’s eyes were fixed only on her son, Apollo. Aaliyah and Adam took to the sky and intercepted Hades. Adam threw his sword straight and true, but it was caught right before it hit Hades’ face.
“Nice throw.” He laughed, threw the sword to the ground, then shot flames in Adam’s direction.
Aaliyah attacked. She wielded her sword with perfect precision, but each blow was blocked by Hades and countered with perfectly placed kicks to her midsection. She fell hard to the ground and felt something warm running down her legs. It was blood! She screamed in anger and attacked again and again only to be pushed back.
Hybrid and Christine fought through many, but were getting tired. Absalon had also taken his fair share. Aaliyah was a wild woman and killed everything that moved. She had to reach her son. Aaliyah threw her sword, but it was ducked by Hades and hit Apollo in the arm. He screamed in pain and began falling to the ground. Aaliyah ran toward him, but he was caught by Absalon. Reaching toward Absalon, Aaliyah motioned for him to bring her son to her, but he ran faster and faster toward the opening of the volcano.
Aaliyah ran behind him as fast as she could. He’s going to kill my son!
Apollo’s blood gushed over Absalon, covering him in it. Aaliyah saw her husband running toward the volcano and left Adam to fight Hades alone. Hades gained the upper hand quickly, but Christine wildly attacked. Hybrid joined in and they slowly fought Hades back.
Christine saw what was happening over by Aaliyah and ran quickly. Christine ran past Aaliya and grabbed the bleeding child. She was now covered in his blood. Adam reached her and healed Apollo. Christine looked over the battlefield, all the destruction, her love and her children fighting so valiantly, and her friend whom she loved as a sister. In her heart, she knew what she had to do.
As her eyes met Hybrid’s for the last time, she said, “I love you.”
Without warning, she leapt into the volcano. With a giant clap of thunder, Hades and his army were gone. Hybrid fell to his knees in disbelief and began screaming his love’s name. Aaliyah and Adam sobbed as Aaliyah held Apollo.
Looking into the volcano, Aaliyah whispered, “Thank you.”
The world began to cry. As rain heavily fell onto the ground, the realm wept for the fallen Amazon who had brought forth the Saviors of the Realm and gave her life for her family and friends.
Aaliyah was held by Absalon, who couldn’t believe what had happened. Aaliyah was beside herself with grief. All the Amazons that had survived gathered together and with their heads down, they to mourn as they they head home. They picked themselves up from the victory, but headed home in defeat.
The End
From beyond the darkness
(Book 5)
17
Adam followed his dad as they walked back home. His heart hurt, his throat clogged with unshed tears, and the image of his wonderful mother filled his mind. She’d sacrificed herself for Apollo just as she would have done for his sister or him. He was amazed at her ability to love so unconditionally. She was always there to comfort, control, and keep them together. Christine was the
glue that held them together. Now what were they to do? What would he be without her? Would he make her proud?
He looked toward his dad and wondered if he would be all right. He loved his mom fiercely, but his dad loved her so much more. He had loved her with a soul-binding love that shone through his eyes and seemed to transcend time and space. It was magic.
He wanted a love like that, a love so strong that not even death could alter it. Hybrid’s shoulders sagged a little, the light that lit his eyes had dimmed a bit, and the half smile he always wore when Mom was present was gone, yet sadness hadn't overtaken him. He held up a brave front, but underneath he had to be hurting.
Adam looked away and shifted his eyes to his sister. She cried leaning against her husband. The tears were silent, but streaming nonetheless. She held a hand on her tummy and an arm around her husband. Her shoulders shook with the effort of trying to hold her emotions in.
A sniffle brought his gaze flying to Aaliyah. She was like a second mother to him, but she was also his mom's best friend. The hurt, pain, and horror still marked her eyes. She was full of grief and sadness. He felt his heart break a little more when he thought of how much his mom loved her. She had loved Aaliyah so fiercely that she couldn't see her lose her baby. She gave her life not just for Apollo, but for her sister, her greatest and truest friend, Aaliyah.
Adam’s heart swelled with love, and at the same time, it hurt. He loved his mom very much and he missed her with a longing he never thought possible. Adam had to get away. He had to find himself. He needed to know who he was now that his mom wasn't there to gently guide him. His heart cried. He bit his bottom lip to keep it from trembling from the force of his grief.
They reached home and he went to his room. He needed time to himself. Time to cry alone. Time to grieve alone. Time to decide what he would do.
Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels Page 166
