Black Star collapsed to his knees, his head lowered in grief as I caught him and set him down. Tears streamed down his face as he clutched his chest, screaming even as the enormous, shadowy Juggernaut let out another devastating roar, tearing through the city streets.
I rushed over to him, shaking him gently. "Black Star, we have to go. We have to get out of here now."
But he didn't respond, lost in shock. I hesitated briefly, unsure of what to do, before ultimately making the decision to pick him up and carry him out of the danger zone.
The monster's shadowy tendrils reached out at us, but I quickly threw up a barrier of light, keeping them at bay as I hopped back down the burning street, holding Black Star over my shoulder. My mind raced, trying to think of a plan to stop the Juggernaut and the invasion it represented.
Dawn Lily jumped back with me, and for a moment I could almost feel her fear and uncertainty as well.
But there was no time to think, for the ground suddenly trembled.
It came slowly at first, but then the tremors grew more and more violent until it felt like the entire city was shaking with a force that threatened to bring it all down. We looked up in terror just in time to see a massive horde of zombies shamble up the street, their eyes glowing with an unearthly light. The burning buildings around us added to the apocalyptic scene as the smoke and flames blurred together in a haze of destruction.
The shadowy Juggernaut had stopped moving and for a moment, its eyes stopped glowing. It loomed there for an eerie moment — Then, It started to move, not towards us but away from us and soon it was tearing apart the Refuge, devastating anything in its path with its massive claws and tendrils. We watched in horror as it tore a building meant to survive city-leveling explosions apart as if it were made of paper.
"Albert!" I shouted toward one of the drones looming nearby. "You have to get out of there!"
He was still inside on the fourth floor and I had a sudden feeling of dread as I realized his life was in danger. But feeling was all I could do as we were set upon by a pack of large, raptor-like monsters that charged towards us from the other end of the street. Their mouths were filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth, and their eyes glowed blue with malicious intent.
Dawn Lily immediately unleashed a volley of arrows, taking down a few of the monsters, but they continued charging towards us relentlessly. She was a blur of motion as she fought off the other monsters, her arrows hitting their mark with deadly precision.
I frowned as I stared back up at the drone as it sputtered and crashed into a wall. I had a strong feeling Albert had already gotten the message and booked it out of there.
I had to find him. We had to regroup.
"Lily!" I barked, helping Black Star shake off his daze and get to his feet. "Did you manage to see what happened to Midnight Blossom?!"
Dawn Lily twirled her bow, turning it into a long staff. She quickly fired a beam of golden light out the top, eliminating three zombies that charged at her. "I set her down in one of the buildings that hadn't caught on fire," she said, dodging another monster's attack. "I don't know if she's alright though. We have to find her and get out of here."
I nodded, my mind racing as I scanned our surroundings. The city was in ruins, and we had thousands of monsters breathing down our necks now. The Juggernaut was still tearing through the Refuge. It was chaos, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed as I tried to come up with a plan.
"Black Star! Henry! Come on. Snap out of it! We have to get out of here!" I shook him once more, trying to rouse him from his shock. His eyes were glazed over, tears still streaming down his face as he stared blankly into the distance.
"He... he's gone," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just like that. He sacrificed himself to save me."
I growled, feeling the rage boil inside me. I raised my hand, and slapped it across his face, holding back as much of my transformation’s power as I could
"Hey!" I shouted. "We don't have time to grieve right now. We have to focus on surviving and we'll make sure your brother's sacrifice wasn't in vain."
Black Star blinked rapidly, startled by my sudden outburst. But it snapped him out of his daze, and he nodded, steeling himself for the battle at hand.
My eyes whipped back at the Juggernaut as it simply ran through the Refuge. It was like physics had stopped working in its presence entirely. The air rippled around it, and pieces of debris were lifted up into a swirling vortex of darkness that followed it wherever it went. It was terrifying and made me feel a sharp sense of dread.
"I'm going after it! Dawn Lily! Grab Black Star and check up on Midnight Blossom."
I yelled, sweeping my hand across the street. I unleashed a barrage of Luminary Bolts, bombarding the incoming mob of zombies with a rain of explosions.
They exploded on impact, sending corrupted corpses flying in all directions. I looked over at Dawn Lily and Black Star, who both nodded in agreement. Without another word, I shot off towards the Juggernaut, leaving a trail of bright orange light in my wake.
I could feel its immense power vibrating through the ground beneath my feet as I approached the monster. The air around me grew heavy and thick, as if the Juggernaut was sucking all the energy out of the atmosphere. Its tendrils stretched out towards me as I drew closer, but I avoided them with ease, dodging and weaving through the air. I could see a small concentrated orb of energy on its chest, swirling and pulsating with a pitch black energy and a blue core.
The front of Refuge Zeta was a total wreck now, and debris was beginning to collapse and fall in the main chamber. I knew I had to act fast if there was any chance of stopping the Juggernaut and saving the people housed in the Refuge.
My heart pounded with determination as I closed in on the Juggernaut.
Refuge Zeta was collapsing around us, and I knew I had to confront this relentless adversary before it could cause more destruction.
As I got closer, I noticed something peculiar with my aura sight. There were thousands of tiny spindles of energy drawing towards it. The creature seemed to be drawing power from the monsters surrounding and approaching the Refuge. It absorbed their essence, growing stronger with each passing moment.
That had to be the key to whatever was sustaining it and drawing the monsters here.
The tension in the room was palpable as I faced off against the transformed Juggernaut, the debris falling from the ceiling of the compromised Refuge serving as a grim backdrop to our impending showdown. I could feel the immense power radiating from the creature, and its eyes bore into mine with an eerie, malevolent intelligence that hadn’t been there before it absorbed the wraith-like Judicator.
The swarm of raptor-like creatures closed in on us, their eyes glowing with a sinister blue light. I traced several threads in my vision that connected the creatures to the collapsed portal at the core of the large monster in front of me.
“Luminary Nova!” I shouted, summoning all the energy I could muster. I unleashed a blinding wave of light in all directions. The intense brilliance overwhelmed the raptor-like creatures, causing them to screech briefly before falling into a smoldering heap.
However, my attention quickly returned to the creature that had once been the Juggernaut.
With a gut-wrenching transformation, the Juggernaut began to shrink, shedding its monstrous mass and adopting a sleeker, more human-like silhouette. Dark tendrils that had once been chaotic and unwieldy condensed into a cloak that clung tightly to its body. A hauntingly familiar mask, materialized over its face, almost in mockery of its most recent victim. The transformation was a sinister ballet of darkness and malevolence, and the air around it crackled with ominous blue and red motes of energy. Tendrils extended from its limbs, seeking and probing out about five or six yards like shadowy tentacles.
My heart pounded in my chest as I watched this horrific metamorphosis unfold. The Juggernaut had taken on the appearance of Red Masque, wearing his dark cloak and menacing mask. But this was no ordinary mimicry; it resonated with my ability to sense energy. The dark aura it exuded was chillingly familiar, and I realized that it had defiled Red Masque on a profound level.
Then, it zoomed away from me in a blur, crashing over to a balcony above. I reacted quickly shooting forward and jumping up after it like a comet surrounded by a corona of blazing light.
Somehow, I knew it was going after Albert in the command center.
I didn’t know why, but my instincts were screaming that my dearest friend was in grave danger. The urgency of the situation pushed me to my limits, and I chased after the transformed Juggernaut with all the speed and power at my disposal.
“Luminary Bolt: Rapid Fire!” I shouted as I pursued the creature. A barrage of radiant bolts erupted from my outstretched hands, streaking toward the creature. The bolts seared through the air, each one a blazing projectile formed like molten gold, aimed at the malevolent figure that had taken on Red Masque's form.
The creature, which I quickly labeled ‘Shadow Masque’ in my mind moved with an unnatural grace, dodging and swerving to evade my attacks. My Luminary Bolts missed and struck the surrounding walls and pillars causing sparks and small explosions that added to the chaos.
It spun around, swinging shadowy knives at me with arcs of crimson energy fired in retaliation. I weaved through the onslaught, narrowly avoiding the deadly energy blades and destructive energy. Shadow Masque was relentless, and its agility was unmatched — the very air seemed to bend and twist around it, aiding its movements.
We rounded a corner and entered a narrow corridor. The flickering red emergency lights cast eerie shadows on the walls, giving the chase a nightmarish quality. My heart raced as I continued to pursue Shadow Masque, who seemed to be heading deeper into the crumbling Refuge. The two of us had covered an incredible distance in well under a minute, and despite my best efforts, Shadow Masque gained ground. The creature darted through narrow corridors and vaulted over debris with uncanny finesse. My pursuit led us through dimly lit corridors, up and down staircases that seemed to twist and turn endlessly.
Suddenly, a massive chunk of the ceiling came crashing down, blocking my path as we came upon the floor the command center was located on. I reflexively unleashed another Luminary Bolt to blast through the debris, but the delay cost me a precious second.
When I burst through the shattered rubble, Shadow Masque had pulled ahead, its silhouette disappearing into the entrance of the command center. I pressed on, desperate to catch up.
I burst through the doorway, only to find the command center eerily silent. Debris littered the floor, screens were cracked, and sparks flew from exposed wires. But Albert was nowhere in sight. Neither was Techtron.
Dust particles floated in the air as I caught up, sucking in a breath. My eyes met the empty room and then darted to Shadow Masque. It stood still, its ghostly tendrils fanned out around it like a spectral cloak. It seemed to resonate, humming with an energy I could sense.
I somehow understood it was searching for Albert's aura signature, trying to locate him within the maze of the crumbling Refuge. Monitors were flickering, alarms blared, and overhead, the ceiling creaked dangerously. Shadows played tricks on the walls, but even in the dim light, I could see the remnants of a skirmish. There were marks of energy discharge and signs of struggle, and my eyes quickly landed on a dark stain and trail on the floor.
And then, as if catching a scent, the creature suddenly turned, following the trail of blood and shooting out of the command center by crashing through an emergency exit door in the back with a sign that indicated it led to the roof.
The brief delay was all I needed to catch up. I threw one hand up, instantly forming a barrier in its path to force a momentary pause. The creature reared back, and screeched, unleashing a blue beam of energy that collided with my barrier, sending shockwaves of force that echoed throughout the corridor.
The power behind the blast was enormous, and even with my newly acquired abilities, the strain was visible as cracks began to form in my shield. I poured more energy into my defenses, gritting my teeth in determination, trying to buy a few precious seconds. I quickly regained my bearings and reached out with my other hand, preparing another attack.
Shadow Masque seemed to sense my intent and retaliated, dark tendrils racing towards me, and I immediately threw up another barrier in its path. They coiled and whipped around, attempting to pierce through my barrier. But as they inched closer, I unleashed the wave, causing a stream of deep blue and black energy to lance forward.
“Dark Wave!”
The beam met its tendrils head-on, and a violent clash ensued. The collision between shadows created a sudden kaleidoscope of colors that illuminated the broken corridor, casting grotesque shadows on the walls. But, even with the immense power from my mother backing my attack, Shadow Masque's strength was evident. It fought against my beam, trying to push it back.
For a brief moment, our energies were locked in a stalemate, neither one of us able to gain the upper hand. However, the strain was clear, and the very fabric of the Refuge around us groaned and protested, further destabilized by our clashing powers.
Suddenly, an enormous bang echoed through the Refuge, the aftershock momentarily breaking my concentration. My barrier shattered, the force knocking me off my feet and sending me crashing into a nearby wall. I grunted in pain, struggling to regain my composure.
Shadow Masque, seizing the opportunity, darted past me, continuing its relentless pursuit to the roof.
I couldn't afford to waste any more time. Pushing myself off the ground, I sprinted after it. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to move faster.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Memories and feelings flashed by in an instant.
The times I had stumbled and fallen, the numerous challenges I had faced growing up, and every moment of uncertainty and self-doubt. These memories propelled me forward, their echoes fueling my charge.
He had always been there for me, and when my mother was absent, I had a surrogate family in his. I’d often gone hungry not because of intentional neglect, but because as the years went on, my mother was just… further and further gone. Albert’s parents had always made sure there was a plate set for me at their dinner table. I remember the sweet scent of his mother’s cooking and the warmth of their household during those cold nights.
I had always felt guilty and embarrassed by their generosity and how openly they welcomed the scrawny seven year old girl I was into their home. But Albert, with his goofy, carefree nature, always found a way to make me feel like I belonged. He had a talent for making people laugh, for lightening the mood no matter how dire the situation. I remember countless times when he'd break into a spontaneous dance, or make silly faces to cheer me up after the girls at school gave me crap, or I had a fight with my mom. His energy was infectious. He’d always been there to raise me up when I fell on my knees.
Faster… you have to move faster, Sienna.
Each second was precious.
His life was in the hands of a terrifying creature, a monster beyond anything the world had ever seen before.
I needed to save him.
I needed to repay all the kindness he and his family had shown me over the years.
I could remember those late-night chats, where we talked about dreams and aspirations.
Albert, with his mischievous chubby grin, would always say he wanted to be a superhero and save the world, like the ones in comic books. He'd strike dramatic poses, pretending to fly or shoot laser beams from his eyes. But underneath all that silliness was a heart of gold, always looking out for others, always putting others first.
I remembered the numerous times we'd sat under the stars, sharing stories and secrets, the bond we'd formed stronger than any magic or force in the universe. It was a bond that couldn't be broken. He had been my anchor when things seemed their bleakest, a beacon of light when I was overwhelmed by darkness.
Now, as the Refuge trembled around me, the possibility of losing him became all too real.
The bond we shared fueled me, lending strength to my limbs, pushing me to break past my limits.. My aura flared brilliantly, and I felt a renewed surge of energy. I wasn't just fighting for my own survival now; I was fighting for the precious memories we shared, for the promise of many more to come.
Come on, Sienna!
Save your family.
With renewed vigor, I exploded up the corridor, dodging falling debris and leaping over gaps in the flooring and directly over stairs and ladders. The chaotic tremors and creaking structure added to the urgency, but nothing could deter me. My senses sharpened, and every ounce of my being was focused on one thing.
The cold night air gushed in as I burst through the open rooftop door. The distant sounds of battle and destruction echoed, but the vast expanse of the rooftop lay before me, lit by the light of the burning streets. The skyline painted a somber backdrop, flames and smoke billowing from all over the city.
Shadow Masque was there, standing over the remains of a discarded first aid kit and a flare gun. The flare gun was thrown to the wayside, discarded after use, and the trail of blood ended around the kit. The creature’s tendrils spread out like a vast net, searching, hunting for any sign of Albert.
Knowing Albert, he would have tried to get to the roof to signal for help. Knowing him, he would have picked up that the command center would be a bad place to be. Still, he was backed into a corner and I wouldn’t let Shadow Masque find him before I could intervene.
My gaze darted around the vast expanse of the rooftop, searching for any sign of him or Techtron's form that would indicate his location. My eyes settled on an old tarp next to some beams, fluttering. It was a strange thing to catch my eye, but something about it drew me in.
Something briefly shifted underneath the tarp, and I had a strong feeling I'd found him.
Regardless of where he was, I needed to take care of the ghostly mockery of Red Masque. My eyes narrowed at the creature's presence as I approached , my aura flaring hotly as I prepared to face off against it. I knew that the next few moments would decide everything, that my life and Albert's hung in the balance.
Without a second thought, I fired a barrage of Nocturnal and Luminary Bolts directly at its back, causing it to reflexively jump to the side.
Shadow Masque turned towards me, a growl emanating from its ethereal form. It was searching for something, an elusive quality that revealed itself in the flickering of its shadowy tendrils. I could feel my mother’s infused power coursing through my veins, my own energy responding to the dark force that stood in front of me as it settled into a wolf-like stance as it glared at me.
I took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air filling my lungs as I readied myself for the confrontation.
The wind swirled around us, lifting my hair and playing with the shimmering aura that enveloped me. There was a tension in the atmosphere, a palpable sense of foreboding as we sized each other up.
I remembered my recent encounter with Red Masque, and I felt the eerie familiarity in Shadow Masque's movements. It had the shared predatory gleam in its shadowy eyes, yet this creature lacked the tactics, the cunning, and the clear purpose that Red Masque had shown. It seemed almost feral in comparison. But that didn't make it any less dangerous. It was raw, untamed power.
Time seemed to stretch, the seconds feeling like hours. The world faded away, leaving just the two of us in that vast expanse, surrounded by the sounds of chaos and destruction. Every cell in my body was attuned to the moment, every sense heightened.
And then I saw it again - a slight flicker, a distortion in the shadowy tendrils for my Aura Sight. The flow of energy across the city rushing into it from thousands upon thousands of sources. A hint, a clue.
I reached out my hand, and felt my aura resonating against its nightmarish field. I felt myself — my very being seize hold of the thousands upon thousands of metaphysical threads flowing into it. It was a coursing river of life and power that felt as old as time itself. And then, I pulled them all in at once, feeling the sheer force of it washing over me.
The tendrils recoiled, writhing in agony as a scream erupted from Shadow Masque's form. For a brief moment, the entire rooftop was lit up with a radiant golden light, tendrils of energy intertwining with my aura. Every inch of the space resonated with the power I was channeling, the concrete beneath my feet cracking, wind howling around us. The sheer force of the magic sent the remaining debris soaring, and in that brilliant spectacle, the two of us were locked in a fierce struggle of wills.
Shadow Masque writhed in agony, its tendrils twitching uncontrollably, its form distorted and fluctuating. It attempted to break free, to redirect the influx of energy, but my hold was too strong. The intertwining threads of energy were like chains, binding the beast to the spot.
Yet, even with the power at my command, the monster’s resilience was astounding. Shadow Masque roared, its voice echoing like a symphony of tortured souls, and fought back with renewed vigor. Spectral tendrils surged towards me, each one a deadly whip of shadows and blue energy, aiming to break my concentration.
I gritted my teeth, doing my best to maintain the link and control the flood of energy. But the onslaught was relentless, and for every tendril I pushed back, two more took its place.
In the distance, I heard a muffled shout, a voice distorted by the cacophony of battle and the maelstrom I had summoned. It sounded familiar, like a beacon in the stormy seas. But I tuned it out.
I tuned it out, and before I knew it, I was once again in that liminal void I’d been in before with Twilight Aster and the mysterious pink girl that had helped me transform.
Shadow Masque faded from my perception, and in its place, was a horrible entity that looked like a swirl of alien colors. It was a massive storm of anger, hatred, and destruction. An extension of a greater will. Chaos incarnate. But it had eyes. So many eyes and tendrils, and colors I couldn’t even begin to describe.
The creature, sensing my weakness, let out a triumphant roar, its presence wrapping around me with lethal intent in that liminal space. I could feel the crushing weight of its power bearing down on me, threatening to snuff out my life force.
It was too much.
It was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with a broom. I could feel my strength waning, my aura flickering weakly as my body was buffeted by the dark energy. My mind raced, searching for a way out, a way to turn the tables on the monster.
I found myself falling on one knee, my breath ragged, eyes blurred by sweat and tears as my perception shifted back to reality. The world seemed to move in slow motion; every sensation, every pulse of magic, every tendril approaching me was agonizingly vivid.
"Come on. You can… do this," I whispered to myself, despair creeping into my voice.
My light was on the verge of extinguishing, consumed by the behemoth of power before me. A few more seconds, and it would all be over. I would be swept away in the tide.
And then, the wave in the liminal void collapsed on me, scraping against the dense, protective aura around me.
A flood of memories surged through me - not my own, but those of countless others. Their despair, crushed dreams, anger, and hatred as the monsters snuffed them out. It was overwhelming a sea of voices screaming out in pain and terror. The weight of their collective anguish pressed down on me, a darkness so profound I felt like I was drowning in it. I dimly realized that the monster’s presence wasn’t black. It was a sickening miasma formed by the remaining death echoes of everyone who had perished in the attack.
The pain was exquisite, sharper than any physical blow I'd ever felt. My heart raced, each beat a painful reminder of the impending doom that loomed over me. My vision darkened, and my once radiant aura dwindled to a mere flicker.
It felt like an eternity, that moment of despair. In those few seconds, the crushing weight of hopelessness, the gnawing fear of failure, and the agony of loss consumed me. I felt smaller than I'd ever felt before, an insignificant speck before an insurmountable force. It was a feeling of complete and utter defeat.
The world faded to black, and as the darkness closed in, I could hear a faint whisper, a distant echo of a promise I once made. A whisper that was quickly drowned out by the suffocating silence. I flailed in the void, gasping for a breath I couldn't find.
As despair threatened to consume me entirely, however, a sensation pierced through the encroaching shadows.
A warm, familiar touch on both of my shoulders. The touch acted as a lifeline, grounding me and pulling me back from the edge of oblivion.
That warmth spread slowly, anchoring me, breathing life back into my fading consciousness.
But then, just as I felt a surge of hope, a new sensation washed over me. An overwhelming force, darker and more sinister than anything I had ever felt, began to drown out everything else. It was as if the very essence of the creature was trying to seep into my soul, corrupting me from within.
My vision blurred, and a cold numbness began to spread throughout my body. Despite my best efforts, the creature's power was too much for me to bear. My aura began to flicker, the last vestiges of my energy dissipating rapidly.
"No!" I gasped, desperately trying to hold onto the memories, the hope that had ignited within me. But the more I struggled, the tighter the abomination’s grip became. The world around me grew darker, and I felt a cold void begin to consume me.
And then, in the darkness, I heard a voice. A whisper, soft and familiar, echoing in the depths of my mind.
No. It was by my side. In the physical world.
"Sienna... I’m right here with you. Snap out of it! I know it’s pulling some mind screwy bullshit. You’re stronger than that!"
The voice was distant, but unmistakably familiar. A voice that always knew how to snap me out of my ruts.
Another one. One I had recently spoken to.
“Come on! The kid’s taking a ballsy risk. Wake up!”
Through blurred vision, I saw a spectral hand extended to me.
Without a moment of hesitation, I grabbed onto it, causing a flash of pink to erupt in my core.
A dim swirl of ocean blue, pink, and orange lights began to emerge from my very being. The ocean blue light was familiar, like an old friend, like a shell that protected my once-burning bonfire, nurturing it. The pink was a pair of bellows, fanning it back to life. Slowly, and then rapidly, it pushed back against the overwhelming darkness.
Our combined wills pushed back against the darkness receded, and I clung to that sensation with everything I had. The intensity of our lights flared to a blinding burst like a supernova, causing the creature’s metaphysical tendrils to retract and recoil in surprise and pain.
As I hung suspended in the void, raw energy coursing through me, I could see fragments of others' lives — the memories of the lives these monsters had consumed. Mothers, fathers, siblings, friends... all gone. The responsibility of their fates weighed heavily on me, their hopes and dreams now intertwined with my own.
I closed my eyes and concentrated on the positive energy, drawing strength from the memories of those who had faced the creature before me. Their resilience, their love for those they had left behind, their hopes for a brighter future, became my own. With a newfound determination, I started fighting back, attempting to free myself from the creature's grasp.
Suddenly, a blinding light exploded within me, cutting through the darkness and casting aside the creature's shadowy tendrils. I felt a rush of warmth, of love, and of determination.
The very essence of who I was surged forth, challenging the monstrous force that sought to consume me. And then another, and another.
It wasn’t just my memories or my will pushing against the darkness. The collective wills of those the monsters had consumed were rallying with me, joining their strength with mine.
A new surge of energy exploded within me, and my aura ignited in a blinding white light, a fusion of my own magic, the borrowed power from my mother, and the numerous lingering spirits of those lost.
The void I’d been in receded, and the creature shrieked as the shadowy tendrils that’d been closing in were disintegrated in an instant. Through its shrieks, I swore I heard a whisper slice through the chaos of our skirmish.
Make me proud, baby girl.
I was keenly aware of a familiar presence standing next to me, and a shuffle of feet behind me. I felt the faintest pull on my arm, leading me to raise my hand in the air.
“Luminary Art: Prismatic Radiant Requiem!” I shouted, summoning a golden wand with a feathered pink heart on its tip.
With every ounce of strength I had left, I swung my arms down and unleashed a torrent of pure energy directly at Shadow Masque. The creature roared in agony, its form becoming unstable, flickering in and out of existence as it struggled against the combined might of thousands of spirits, swirling in a kaleidoscope of colors.
As the creature writhed in agony, I stood my ground, my aura pulsing with energy. The memories of the lives consumed by the beast still lingered within me, but they were no longer a weight that threatened to crush me. They were now a source of strength, a reminder of why I was fighting, why I could never give up.
But even that was not enough. I felt my energy begin to wane, the power of the Prismatic Radiant Requiem fading with each passing moment. I gritted my teeth, my enhanced muscles twitching with the effort of holding on to the Art for just a few moments more.
A hand grabbed my shoulder and elbow, steadying me. "Don't give up now," he said with an echoing voice. "It's not over yet. I don’t have much… but this is all I can give."
I turned, and my eyes met against Albert’s bloody and bruised cheeks, smiling through the kaleidoscope of lights. His presence was like a soothing balm for my soul, and I was grateful for his unwavering support. I briefly stared up in surprise as a radiant, ocean-blue wall of energy joined into the wave.
With renewed vigor, I let out a primal scream of defiance, channeling all our strength into the attack.
The shadows that made up Shadow Masque began to unravel, and a brilliant light shone through the gaps. As the light pierced through the darkness, I could feel the creature’s hold on me start to weaken. The power coursing through me kept growing, fueled by the memories of all the lives that had been taken by the monster. It was as if every one of them was fighting alongside me, pushing me to keep going, to not give up until the beast was destroyed.
But just when victory seemed within grasp, the monster managed one final attack.
In a fraction of a second, it coalesced its form into a tight, gemlike form and condensed its energy into a sail of black and white, dispersing the energy of my blast around it.
Then, it sent a single powerful and condensed tendril out of its core that drilled through the center of the blast, aiming straight for my heart.
My eyes widened in horror as I realized I had nothing left to defend myself. Time seemed to freeze in that split second, as the tendril inched closer and closer.
I tried to move, to stand, to face the creature once more and defend, but my body refused to respond, anchored in place by the force of the attack I’d launched. All I could do was watch helplessly as it prepared to deliver the final blow.
As the creature's attack descended, I felt a jerk of motion and numbly realized Albert tackled me to the side.
I could only stare in horror as tendril pierced through my savior’s hips, splashing my face with a sickening splatter of blood as it impaled him against the wall.