CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

~MIDNIGHT~

My summoning was welcomed with the overwhelming feelings of devastation, my eyes opening to absorb the chaos before me.

I noticed the body beneath me, my hands pressed against someone’s chest, hands soaked in blood. I trailed upward, my eyes locking onto those inviting green eyes, the same eyes that once shone with life.

Now, they were dull, their once shinning spark was fading away. Elias! Did…I did this to him?

His hand was wrapped in my long brown hair, holding my head in place as I stared at him in shock, petrified at the deed I must have committed. He frowned, struggling to keep his eyes open as he shook his head slowly.

“You did nothing, Midnight. Not your fault. Aspen…Blair Aspen. Mako fought him. I’m fine. Just a scratch.” He explained, brushing off the fact he was bleeding to death.

“Scratch? You’re…dying! Hope! Hope will help. Hold on, just a moment!” I pleaded.

Before I could call upon Hope’s power, his hand pressed against my head, pulling me forward.

His lips smashed against mine, my eyes widening at the sudden sensation of his moist lips. He kissed me slowly and deeply, his free hand landing on top of my hands, which still covered his open wound.

He smiled against my lips, pulling away to rest his head against the charcoal ground beneath him, his breathing labored, as he struggled to obtain oxygen.

He closed his eyes for a moment, opening them slowly to stare at my stunned expression as his smile widened weakly in amusement.

“Midnight. You. Are. Loved. Just like Mako, our Firefly. I just wanted to say that…just in case, you know…Eli told me I should tell you that. She…didn’t tell me to kiss you though. That was all me…just making that clear.” He whispered, chuckling lightly.

I shook my head, my own set of tears spilling down my flushed cheeks, unable to hold them back any longer.

“You can’t go. You’re my light in the darkness! You can’t dim away. I won’t let you!” I soothed, my body trembling uncontrollably as I allowed the pint up emotions within me to morph into power.

My once brown hair began to glow, shifting to an strawberry blonde as I called for Hope’s assistance. She pushed forward in a quick movement, my eyes burning to life as the power continued to release.

“Oh, Starlight gods, I request thy intervention. Such a precious gift you bestow before me, yet his petals have begun to wither. Do not allow for such a scared flower to perish. Don’t allow the darkness to extinguish his light. Thy holy strings come to me, mend his sorrows and agony. Restore his blood, as you heal him to his original form, before we entered this wretched world. I give you thy strength, as much as you need for the request I bestow. Judge me not for my multitude of sins, but peek within my heart, my intentions written in stone.” I whispered, the magic flowing outward with every word as my eyes closed.

My body grew warm as the power expelled from my body, flowing down my arms to my fingers tips. I opened my eyes slightly, watching the bright golden light spread across his chest.

The white strings worked their way within his open wound, forming a web as the wound began to close, healing him from the inside out.

I smiled as the spell finished, the wound closed. A red scar remained on his smooth skin, colour returning to his pale face.

He opened his eyes slowly, astonishment forming on his face as the colour began to return to his eyes. We did it. He’s okay. I did good.

I pushed my weak body off him, wobbling backwards to give him space to sit up.

“Midnight…thank you.” He whispered as he pressed his hand against his chest, analyzing the scar before his eyes gazed up, his face filled with remorse.

“ELIAS!” Marcus yelled, landing with Daniel few inches away.

Daniel rushed over to him, dropping down onto the blood covered ground.

His eyes glowed as his hand hovered over his sealed wound, moving in a circular motion. He sighed in relief as he sat back on his knees, his gaze turning towards me.

“You completely healed him.” He said in astonishment. I nodded before backing away.

“Midnight, don’t run away.” Elias soothed, trying to stand up. Marcus walked over to him, his dragon wings returning to his back, disappearing with a flash of blue light.

He wrapped his arm around his waist as he helped lift his right arm to rest on his shoulder, counting down before lifting him up in one smooth swoosh.

“You need to leave. He’ll come back. Finish what he started. Go.” I insisted, gesturing them to the portal. The situation would only go two ways; they would escape and I’d return with the owner, or we’d all perish. Wasn’t hard to figure out.

Daniel’s glowing eyes roamed down my body before he grimaced, taking a step forward which prompted me to take another step backwards.

I wouldn’t let them get any closer. Whoever came close to us was as good as dead.

Ryder walked to Daniel’s side, worry filling his face as he stared between me and Daniel.

“Midnight. We can’t leave you. You and Mako…you’re dying. You’re at your limit, you can’t use anymore magic. It would be suicide.” Ryder admitted through gritted teeth.

I could see him struggling for control, his eyes flickering back and forth. Marcus was shaking with anger while Elias stared at me, his sad eyes pleading with me.

“No. Can’t afford to lose anymore. Promised to do good. I have a plan. Plan to get you out of here. But…you have to trust me.” I explained, sweat dripping down my forehead as my breathing began to become labored.

Hope, we don’t have much time. Please, a bit faster.

Ryder stepped forward, cautiously. I stood my ground, not feeling unwary with his approach compared to the golden eyed boy, the angel.

He reached me in a few long strides, his hands cradled my cheeks as he stared into my eyes, his bright purple irises boring into me as if to confirm what I was saying was true. He sighed, pressing his forehead against mine.

“This may be the second time I’ve had the opportunity to meet you, but I trust you. You’re apart of Mako and I love her. I have to tell her properly, to show her how much I care…allow her to see how much we care for her, and you. So, don’t die. Can you promise me that?” He whispered, his eyes going glossy as he pulled back, waiting for my answer.

I stared, contemplating if there was an actual chance that I could survive.

The odds were against me, but it would be worth a shot; to live another day and learn more about the four shifters before me, but was it what the Starlight gods wanted? Would they spare my life once again, save me from impending death?

My expression softened, as I allowed my lips to curl up, giving the best smile, I could muster.

“Okay. I’ll try. Promise.” I agreed. No matter what happens, I’ll fight. I vow to the stars, the gods my witnesses.

“We’re right here with you Midnight.” Hope whispered.

“Always be with you.” Lily responded.

“Till our very last breath.” Rose assured.

“Always together. I’m ready at your call.” Lexi whispered.

The fear that once plagued me, always pushing me to do what I was told, vanished. I was free from its shackles, as I made my final declaration.

Free and dumb. I was free now and considering what I was about to do was really dumb: freedom had given Mako courage to walk into the unknown and now it gave me courage. Mistakes will be made and certain situations will be unavoidable, but with courage and patience, change will follow, leading to inner happiness. Freedom was now the oxygen in my once suffocating world. I’m no longer afraid to fight, for the oxygen needed for my soul. Freedom is bliss.

A loud explosion roared into the air, followed by a strong gust of wind. I pushed myself backwards, moving away from Ryder and the others, the gust pushing them away.

My eyes widened as I noticed how close they now were to the edge of the cliff, the pit of lava raging below. Hope?

“It’s ready. I’ve done all I can.” She said weakly.

I could sense their exhaustion, Lexi being the only one left with enough energy to do anything at this point. I commended them for their hard work. We gave it our all and this final plan would be our encore.

“I’m impressed, little fox. You’ve been practicing some new techniques without my supervision. These shifters have corrupted your mind with lies and deceit. No worries, I shall end them right now. Now, stand there like a good girl and watch their demise!” He announced, emerging from the smoke, his hands spread out in praise.

I stared at his face; a large slash mark ran from his eyebrow to his lower cheek, the blood dripping down his once pristine white suit, now grey from the dirt of his charcoaled land.

I saw the anger storming in his red eyes as he made his declaration, the gust of wind doubling in size. I dropped to the ground, my body skidding, as I tried to stop myself from moving backwards.

“FUCK! MARCUS! ELIAS!”

I looked over my shoulder, my eyes growing wide as I noticed Elias skid over the edge, Marcus grasping his hand, holding him from dropping down into the lava.

“STOP! No! I’ll return to you! I’ll do anything. Don’t kill them!” I begged, my frantic eyes returning to face the Owner as I plunged my hands and feet into the crumbling grey soil, attempting to steady myself from the waves of wind pushing against me.

The thought of freedom quickly faded at the sign of the guys struggling to stay on the edge of the cliff.

“Why nonsense, Midnight. This is your punishment. The same way I punished that pathetic phoenix shifter when Mako participated in that little escape attempt long ago, is the same way I’ll punish your friends. I’d love to rid them of their existence at a much slower pace, but due to circumstance, I’ll make it quick on your behalf. Now sit there and watch. That’s the least you can do for your apparent saviours.” He chuckled as the gust of wind escalated in speed.

I returned my gaze to the boys, Daniel struggling to hold Marcus as Ryder dug his feet into the ground, gritting his teeth as he tried to hold their weight from falling.

“Farewell pathetic shifters. Next time you come to the world, you’ll think twice to go against me, Blair Aspen, King of Latelia.” He declared, his eyes glowing red. A blast of light released from his hand, aiming straight for the boys.

I screamed as it crashed before them, the ground crumbling. I reached out, as if such a gesture would stop their slow descent, their figures disappearing as they fell to their demise, into the lava below.

Everyone, NOW!

The lava jumped high in the sky, the rocks reaching their surface, plunging in the hot dense liquid, my knights following pursuit.

I watched silently, waiting for them to jump out or fly into the sky in defiance. The seconds past, the remaining crumble falling into the lava. The wind vanished, completing its caster’s duty as silence followed. Gone…

A laugh echoed, the same haunting heart-wrenching sound I recalled from long ago. I stood up slowly, my shaking legs taking a step forward.

I stumbled forward, my hands trembling as tears stung my eyes. My knees buckled as I fell to the ground. I began to crawl forward, needing to see for my own eyes. They can’t be gone.

Before I reached the edge, four bursts of light emerged from the cavern of lava; purple, blue, green and gold streams of lights soaring into the pitch-black sky, vanishing from sight.

“Behold! They have perished, those hideous spirits ascending to their gods. Now you understand, little fox. Freedom only brings you pain. Your little moment of freedom has made you a fool. Just as it made you a fool the first time you tried to escape me. Now, return to my side and we’ll be on our way.” He cheered.

I continued to stare at the pitch-black sky before I began to cough uncontrollably. I wiped my lip, blood smearing on my left hand, the rainbow – coloured marking catching my attention. I watched it glow, the beautiful swirls of colour bringing peace within my broken soul. I wobbled to my feet, walking towards the edge.

“What are you doing Midnight? They’re DEAD! You saw it! Peering over the edge will only contribute to your suffering. Come here.” He boasted.

I ignored him, reaching the edge to look down. I watched the lava flowing widely, my eyes catching a twinkle. A white string.

I turned around slowly, spitting out the pool of blood that formed in my mouth. My body felt cold, my remaining strength seeping out of me as my spirit’s powers abandoned me one by one.

Lexi entered my mind, the last of my spirits to remain awake. 

“Whatever happens…we love you Midnight. Just as we love Makoto. I thank the Starlight gods for giving me the privilege to be your spirit. You did good.” Lexi’s soft voice whispered, filled with pride.

“Thank you, for accepting me. I…love you too.” I replied, peace flowing through me.

I looked up towards our Owner, the man who stole our childhood away. The King who wanted revenge, Blair Aspen. I’d follow every order and command. I committed many sins, killing many shifters thanks to his cruel ways. I vowed to fight, till the very end. I would not fall back on my word now.

“You’re right. Being free does make you dumb at times. But knowledge and experiences help you grow. The happiness I’ve gained, the courage that blossoms within me, it’s far more than I could have ever asked from the gods. I promised to do good. So, I’ll do one final good deed. If I can prevent myself from becoming a tool of destruction…from killing anyone else, I shall. Farewell, my master…my creator. I rather stay a fool till my dying breathe, than stay with the likes of you.” I declared.

I spread my hands out wide, tears sliding down my cheeks as I smiled.

I could taste the blood as my heart slowed, the small amount of magic left within me coursing through me. I closed my eyes slowly, as I lifted my head in prayer. 

 

“Lexinalla, my beloved dragon. Release thy shackles and transform to your true form. My body is but a vessel for you to use and explore. This is my dying wish; I ask for nothing else in return. Fulfill my request as I fall to the darkness below. May you and my fellow spirits ascend home. Thank you, Starlight gods, for all you have bestowed upon me. Forgive my misdeeds, as I ascend to you for judgement. I’ll face my sentence with honour, as I leave this life behind. In stars, we trust.”

 

I allowed my body to fall backwards, my conscious fading into the darkness. The last sound I heard was a loud roar, my name echoing through the sky as I fell to my demise. No one would save me this time. It was up to the gods to determine my fate.

As the scriptures foretold, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

All I felt was peace, as the quote echoed through my empty mind. I had completed my task, and would never forget what my spirits had done. My conscious faded away, my essence returning to the darkness; my birth and resting place.

 

I couldn’t keep my promise. Sorry Ryder…farewell Elias.