Jake, guided by a sudden insight, directed his magic into the sword in his hands. Like a sluice, his magic flowed through the sword and into the demon.
The demon lord, its once-beautiful face twisted in torment, surged to its feet. The opposing magics tore through its form, bringing it an anguish that it had not experienced since its defeat and banishment at the end of the rebellion. Lesser demons would have succumbed to the onslaught, but it was powerful, the strongest of all those that had crossed over.
It attempted to grab and pull the sword from its body, but the powers flowing in the sword resisted it. Unable to grasp the sword, it pushed at Jake, trying to work itself free. But Jake, his magic still surging, was able to able to resist, as the demon could not easily penetrate his aura. He continued to send his magic into the demon as he wrapped his arms around the hilt of the sword. Trying to finish the demon, he hooked his elbows under the hilt guards and leaned his body into the sword to drive it deeper. The demon howled in pain and frustration. Unable to free itself, it changed methods.
With a snap that stunned the air of the hall, huge, bat-like wings, black with hooks of bone at the ends, suddenly unfurled from the demon’s back. Like an extra set of limbs, the wings slashed rapidly at Jake, trying to dislodge him, trailing smoke as they burned from Jake’s aura. The hooks sliced at his armor, scraping across his back. His armor resisted the blows, but in the barrage, the hooks caught the leather straps, ripping them apart. The hooks then found a hold and abruptly tore the armor away. The blows continued, cutting into the flesh on Jake’s back, bringing a renewed scream from his lips. Despite the relief provided by the sword, he felt the blood flowing from these wounds. In his mind, he focused on Hailyn, her beautiful face and her love, clinging to that in his agony. He found a reservoir of strength he did not know he had and kept the magic flowing into the sword.
The demon was desperate to be free of the magic tearing into its body. Its wings swooped down, launching it into the air. Jake, surprised by the sudden movement, almost lost his grip on the sword, but his arms were intertwined with the hilt guards. He was suddenly dozens of feet above the stone floor. Instinctively, he swung his legs forward and wrapped them around the demon’s body. He found it difficult to maintain as the conflicting magics resisted him, burning his legs and not allowing him to keep a good hold.
As Jake and the demon reached the stone roof, the wings began to slash at him again, bringing new agony. A fresh flow of blood ran down his back. The demon lord’s hands shot out and gripped his shoulders, forcing past his magic, despite the damage it did to its hands. It slowly began to push Jake away.
With his strength fading and grip starting to slip, Jake knew that he had only seconds to finish this. If the demon succeeded in dislodging him, even if he somehow survived the fall to the floor, in his current condition, he would not stand a chance against another attack. As the realization of what that really meant came to him, a sudden calm spread over his body.
In his mind’s eye, images of his family appeared, his parents, then his siblings. He saw the faces of his friends, both here and back home. He felt a deep regret that he would not see them again.
But above all, he saw Hailyn. He recalled her smile, laughter, and those beautiful eyes. In their reflection, he saw her love for him. The love that he felt for her empowered him to do what he had to do. His last thought was that he wished he had said good-bye.
…
Hailyn watched in stunned disbelief as the blue magic surrounding Jake’s body suddenly transformed into a dazzling white, mirroring the light of the sword. It seemed to pause there for a brief moment, and then flowed through the sword into the demon. The sword’s power surged in response, magnifying and increasing that might. As the blazing white magic made contact with the demon, it screamed again. For a moment, it resisted the energy, but then Hailyn saw the light streak through the demon, like silvery veins under its skin. The scream cut off abruptly as the demon lord exploded in a conflagration of conflicting energies, the concussion reverberating in the hall and nearly rendering Hailyn unconscious. The sword, light suddenly gone, fell to the floor with a metallic ring and came to rest near the center of the room.
But Hailyn was oblivious to that as she watched in horror as Jake’s limp body, driven by the explosion and trailing smoke, fly across the hall. With a sickening thud, he struck the stone wall at least twenty feet above the floor. He fell, tumbling down to land in a crumpled heap.
Hailyn, tears streaming down her face, moved as quickly as her injures would allow. She crawled over and knelt next to Jake. She immediately saw the damage. In addition to his injuries, his hair was stark white, his body withered and pale. She desperately reached for her power, but with her body still weak and injured, it did not come. Knowing it was hopeless, she reached out to touch his neck, praying to find a pulse. She stayed like that for what seemed an eternity, trying to will a soft beat of his heart.
She finally removed her hand and collapsed next to Jake’s body, weeping. There was nothing. Jake was dead.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Unaware of anything else, Hailyn cradled Jake’s head in her lap, holding him tight, tears falling from her face. Great sobs racked her body as she felt as if her heart was being physically torn in two. The pain of her physical injuries paled in comparison with the sorrow she felt.
As she sat there on the hard stone floor, she felt a sudden heat and vibration on her wrist. Shocked by its suddenness, she lifted her hand and looked at the bracelet. As she did, the runes flared brightly and the bracelet flew from her wrist.
Unable to help herself, she followed the bracelet as it flew towards the sword. Next to the sword, a sudden light flashed and a being stood there. The bracelet attached itself to one of the being’s wrists where there was no armor.
The being turned towards her. It was tall and potent, radiating power. She felt a jolt as she saw that its face was similar to the demon lord’s, in that it was perfect and beautiful. It had flawless dark skin, but its eyes were filled with an intense white light. Man-shaped, he was wearing golden and silver armor that was covered in runes, fitted over a white robe. Out of his back, two large wings appeared, made from feathers of the purest white. A bejeweled empty scabbard hung from his hip. He reached down and picked up the sword.
At his touch, the sword blazed anew, driving away the shadows. “I am so sorry, child” he said as he gazed at her holding Jake’s body. “I wish I could have spared you and him this, but it was necessary.” He gestured at her and heat flared at her wounds, healing them.
“Now, I must secure what Jake’s sacrifice has bought.” He turned back and strode towards the portal spinning between the boulders. He stopped before the opening, pausing to study it. Gesturing with one hand, he lifted his sword with the other. It flared again, incandescently bright, growing brighter and brighter, as if the sun itself had descended into the hall.
Around the portal’s edges, a white light that matched the sword outlined the dark, swirling mass. The Guardian stood still, as if a statue, sword blazing, showing no outward signs of a struggle. The light that surrounded the rift flared and began to push the darkness together.
Suddenly, the rift turned absolutely black and the closure stopped, the white light flickering. The darkness seemed to swallow the light. “I will not allow this,” a voice that seemed to echo into eternity said through the portal. In the middle of that midnight black, a figure appeared, tall and menacing, a lighter shadow against that darkness. More shapes crowded behind that figure. Hailyn recoiled despite herself.
“Isante,” the Guardian breathed. He seemed shocked for a moment, but then shook off his hesitation. His voice hardened and the white light of his sword brightened. “I am an acolyte and servant of the Creator. You do not command here.”
Isante laughed. “You are a fool. Do you really believe that you have power to oppose me? Do you forget that it was I who first cast my defiance into His face? It was I who shook the pillars of the C
reator’s hall and nearly brought Him low."
“And what did it get you?” the Guardian countered. “You and your followers banished from His light and love.”
Isante’s voice dropped to a hiss. "If I must rule in the Darkness, then so be it. You can continue to be His slave.”
“It is not slavery to honor our Father’s will,” the Guardian stated. He squared his shoulders. “Now, depart this place or face His wrath.”
“You cannot command me, fool,” Isante laughed. “You do not have the power to compel me to do anything.”
“Then come through and we will see if you are that arrogant when you wear flesh,” the Guardian bravely challenged.
“I am not as foolish as Narimus and I have no desire to rule a single world,” Isante replied. “I will send others through to rule it in my name, for it amuses me to see the desperate efforts of the humans of this world to try to resist us. But, for you, I have a better plan. It has been so long since we have had a brother join us. Perhaps you will be the first.”
An enormous blast of dark fire leapt from the archway. The Guardian, his body flaring with light, slashed at it with his sword. The concussion of power shook the fortress, raining bits of mortar down on Hailyn. She saw the Guardian stumble back and a rope of black energy lash out of the portal and wrap around him, sizzling and crackling where it met his aura. He slashed at with his sword, breaking it apart. More cords of power appeared, reaching for him. He leapt away, power surging from his sword, deflecting the attack. He launched a counterattack, sending his white fire streaking into the portal. His attack destroyed some of the shapes, but Isante absorbed it and, faster than thought, dozens of black tentacles of power exploded from the portal. Before the Guardian could react, those dark lines had wrapped around his body, griping his sword hand and squeezing his wings together. His body blazed in an attempt to break free, but despite breaking several of the cords, he could not escape. More ropes of dark power attached themselves to the Guardian while Isante laughed, the sound echoing throughout the hall.
“Where is your pride and power now?” Isante sneered. Hailyn saw the Guardian, despite his staggering efforts, being slowly dragged towards the portal.
She gently set Jake’s head on the floor and stood. She could no longer just stand by and watch. She embraced her power, feeling it surge into her, enhanced by the presence of the Guardian and his sword. Stepping away from Jake, she sent a blast of clerics’ fire into the mass of dark power tangled around the Guardian.
“No, child!” the Guardian cried as he struggled to get free. “Flee!”
“Is this one of your precious pets?” Isante jeered. “Perhaps she should join you. It will be interesting to see how she fares in our company.”
Several lines of dark power flew out towards Hailyn. She sent a flare of her power to counter them. While most exploded, one made it through her power and wrapped around her. Sudden pain surged through her as the dark energy burned her. She broke free, but another strand wrapped around her. She felt the cord of blackness tighten and begin to pull her towards the portal. Despite her efforts, she could not get clear of these ropes of power, for every one she destroyed, another wrapped around her. Isante laughed again, as she was dragged towards him.
As she struggled to free herself, a titanic blast of brilliant golden-white fire flew past her and struck Isante, knocking him back. She turned her head to see Jonas enter the throne room, shining like a star, and the runes on his staff burning with light. Dominic was behind him, guarding his back.
Snarling, Isante sent a blast of absolute darkness at Jonas. With Dominic directly behind him, he could not evade the blow. Thrusting his staff forward, he sent a lance of magic into the blackness. The powers collided in a tremendous blast of light and sound. Hailyn saw Jonas, his robes tattered and burning, fly back into Dominic, sending them both tumbling across the floor and slamming them into the wall near the doors.
Hailyn felt the cords start to pull her forward again. She pulled at her power, trying to break free, but could not. She tried to dig her heals in and physically pull away, but that swirling pit of darkness grew ever closer. She wanted to scream her frustration, but would not give the demons the satisfaction.
Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, a streak of light flashed before her, so bright it left an afterglow in her vision. The light severed the black cords, freeing her. Unprepared, she fell back onto the floor.
When she looked up, she saw another being like the Guardian. He had flawless pale skin, flowing blond hair and shining eyes. His armor was like hardened diamonds, catching and reflecting the light. A long sword, its blade aflame with light, was in his hand. His folded wings shimmered in the light. There was such a power and transcendence about him that Hailyn was frozen in awe.
He looked down at her and smiled gently. In spite of the portal and the demons’ presence, that smile filled her with warmth, secure that he would keep her safe. “That was bravely done, child,” he said, his voice melodious. He gestured back towards Jonas and Dominic. “This is not your fight. Go join the others.”
Hailyn scrambled back to Jonas and Dominic. Jonas had recovered his staff and was holding his robe together. All of his injuries had been healed. She joined them and turned back towards the portal.
The new being strode towards the portal. He stopped near the Guardian and swung his sword into that mass of dark energy. With a tremendous clamor, he severed the lines of power. The Guardian stepped back and the two shared a look. With a nod, the Guardian disappeared.
Isante’s laughter had stopped when the new being appeared. “You!” he spat.
“Yes, my fallen brother,” the being replied. “I am here to seal this rift and restore your prison.”
“I will not allow it,” Isante snarled. More shapes gathered behind him. With a cry, he launched a sizzling blast of demon fire, a blow of absolute darkness, through the portal. The shapes behind him surged forward, leaping through the portal and becoming flesh and bone.
The new being threw up a wall of white fire, blocking the dark fire in a collision that rocked the fortress. Moving, he spun into the new demons, blasting them with bursts of power while his sword sheered through them as if they were air. Crying out and trying to flee, they were caught and shattered into nothingness.
His destruction of the demons complete, the being faced the figure in the portal again. “Are you going to send more servants through? Should I summon my hosts, brother?” he said quietly. “Is this were you have decided our final meeting should take place, as was foretold all of those eons ago?” Isante growled, but did speak or advance forward.
“Then begone,” the being said, unleashing a tremendous blast of power through the portal, rocking Isante back. As he did that, he brought his sword up over his head. The blade blazed even brighter, so bright that Hailyn had to turn her face away. The sword fell, striking the portal.
In an explosion of light and sound, the portal collapsed. The shock wave sent Hailyn, Jonas and Dominic flying into the wall, stunning them. As Hailyn pushed herself up, she saw the Guardian reappear next to the other being. They spoke briefly and turned towards the awed little group. The Guardian gestured, and all of Hailyn’s pains faded. She saw that Jonas’ robe was restored.
Overcome by the power and majesty of these beings, they knelt and bowed their heads as they approached.
“Rise and lift your heads,” the new being said, a gentle smile on his face. “It is not right that you should bow to us. We are all but children of the same Father.”
“Children, this is my brother, Kyren,” the Guardian said. “He is a herald of the Creator and our battle-leader.”
“You have shown great bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, to confront our fallen brethren so boldly,” Kyren said. “I would honor that courage. Ask and I will answer.”
“Restore Jake,” Hailyn pleaded, pointing at Jake’s body. “It is not fair that he should die like this.”
Kyren exchanged a troubled look w
ith the Guardian, and then he turned back to Hailyn. “My dear child, while we have been given many gifts, that power is beyond us,” he said gently. “We can mend great hurts, even at the point of death, but once the eternal spirit leaves the body, only the Creator may restore it.”
“Then there is nothing I want,” she said brokenly, sitting down next to Jake’s body and gently stroking his hair.
“Be at peace, child,” he said softly. “I will make your appeal.”
Hailyn looked up as Kyren closed his eyes. As she watched, she felt a surge of power flow from him. After several seconds, there was a response. For a moment, he seemed to grow stronger, more vibrant. Then that surge faded and he opened his eyes.
“Hear the word of the Creator,” he said formally, looking at Hailyn. “The boy’s sacrifice cannot be undone here, for he is not of this world. If you wish him to be restored, then he must be returned to his rightful home.” He pointed at Hailyn. “Due to your love, you are the one who must decide.”
She looked down at Jake’s broken body, tears streaming down from her face. She knew that she had lost him and he was never to return, but he could be with his family, alive and safe. She looked up at Kyren. “Will he remember me?” she asked softly.
“Who could forget you, dear child?” he answered, gently brushing away her tears.
“Then I wish him to be restored,” she said.
“It will be done,” Kyren replied. He gestured and Jake’s armor and weapons shimmered and disappeared, reappearing in front of Hailyn. “He will not need those and you may wish to keep them as a remembrance.” He reached down and effortlessly picked Jake up, cradling him in his arms.
Hailyn went over and kissed Jake’s forehead. I will always love you, no matter where you are, she thought. After a moment, she stepped back. The air gleamed around Kyren and Jake, flaring into light, and then they vanished.
The Eternal Darkness (The Jake Thomas Trilogy - Book 3) Page 29
