We encounter the first layer of their defense at the edge of the courtyard. These men are huge with bulging muscles. The possibility of bricks being smashed into smithereens against their chests is highly likely. I pelt towards one of them and reach for my hanger sword. I aim for the neck, my thrust is quick and deadly. Trinity is to my left, dancing around the enemy like a ballerina with grace and poise. Her hand movements with the dagger are impeccable. She's slitting throats like nobody's business. I dodge a sword that would have cut my head in half. Avery is ahead of me, lifting a rock that probably weighs twenty kilograms, flinging it at a group of three guards, crushing them. Eben is to my right, fighting two guards, his swordsman skills are remarkable. He slashes one across the chest and delivers a downward strike to the other. I speed towards two opponents and kill them in quick succession. The blood that gushes out of their chests splatter on me like rain.

The culmination of it all is here. Right now. 

The Nephilim are seven meters tall, dressed in velvet robes.  

Eyes filled with hatred. 

Black fluid flows through their veins. 

The blood of the innocent covers their hands. 

Evil personified.

The only way we can distinguish between the three is by the projection of their most disgusting trait. Greed. Psychotic. Egocentric.

As Eben jumps, he draws his sword and delivers an impressive strike to the giant's face, also known as Greed. The gash doesn't deter him from batting Eben away like a fly. Avery throws a rock at Psychotic, causing him to stagger. I try doing damage to Egocentric's ankles with my sword, spinning around and around because I can't get any higher. He's trying to stomp me into the ground. Eben attacks Greed again, poking at his right eye, black fluid starts oozing out. I am still trying my best, slashing at the ankles of Egocentric when I hear Avery cry out, "Fast One!" I turn around. 

No...No...No.

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I stumble forward, clutching my chest. My heart is being squeezed into a pulp. I see Eben suspended in the air, the hand of the giant around his body. His bones are being crushed. Lifeless eyes. He's no longer fighting back. He is dying. "Nooooooo!" I scream until my throat is on fire. My eyes are fixed on the gruesome sight. He needs to live. Eben, you need to live, okay? 

I need you to stay alive. 

I need you by my side. 

I love you. 

My body is on fire as I continue looking at him. The hand of the giant is suddenly on fire. Eben starts falling, I move like the wind and catch him. Trinity is at his side as I turn to face all three giants. Psychotic and Egocentric turn to Greed baffled by the sight of his flaming hand. The flames from my blue eyes traveling at the speed of light. Their hands are on fire. They start crying out in pain. I use Trinity's thick rope and make a dash for their ankles. I start tying it around their ankles, not breaking my speed. Once I complete the process, Avery grabs the end of the rope and gives it a powerful tug. All three giants start falling. As their heads hit the ground with a resounding thud, Avery, Trinity, and I run towards the top, knowing it has to end. Now. Avery has the sword of some dead guard, Trinity borrowed Eben's longsword. We reach the heads, draw our swords, and with one mighty strike, separate their heads from their bodies. The black fluid is dripping from our swords.The wicked giants are dead.

The stillness in the atmosphere speaks of a promise about to be fulfilled.

Eben, alive and healthy, starts making his way towards us. In a narrow pathway, we see a boy approaching. He turns his crystal-like eyes to Eben. Eben interprets, "The native king will rule with justice and peace for centuries to come. Your courage today will be a part of this kingdom's history forever. Thank you," We salute as a sign of respect and the boy turns to leave.

We return to the east gate, exhausted and ready to head back to our world. I find myself limping when we reach the valley. There is a big gash on my knee that I didn't notice before. Trinity makes me sit. I feel energy penetrating from her hand to my knee. In seconds the pain and scar disappear.

"Victory!" I shout with both my hands in the air.

"Victory!" they echo.

"Let the fire that is within us continue to illuminate the lives around us, propel us to fight for the innocent, destitute, and the vulnerable. For the good of mankind, bringing hope into an evil world. Unashamed to be who we were born to be," I declare. 

Eben reaches for my hand, tenderly interlacing his slender fingers with mine. He whispers, "I love you too, Allyssa-Coco," I gently squeeze his hand, an intimate moment shared.

As dawn breaks, symbolizing a new day, we lift our heads to the mountains. We, the trailblazers of our time, boldly face the rising sun with clarity that greater things are yet to come.

*****