Queen of Darkness WATTPAD VERSION [Inter-Universal Protectors: Book 3]

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The sight was too much to be ignored. Amneris floated, seeming to materialise, from the silver light of the rift. Everyone was staring, some in fear, some in awe. No one could stop themselves from staring at her. 

Fire-like hair swirling around her glowing form, star-white eyes wide, black galaxy-covered wings unfurled, and dark lips parted slightly, Amneris looked in a daze. She turned to the soldiers. A wave of the hand opened a second glowing rift. At the same time, the bindings holding the soldiers vanished.

"I'm giving you a choice," she said, voice echoing. "Leave now or be destroyed." 

Few soldiers, the smart ones, jumped to their feet and leapt through the rift. The others . . . 

They came to an agreement. The remaining soldiers charged at Amneris.

She remained unphased. "Very well. Your comrades made the right decision. I will not kill them. You, however . . ." Amneris raised a hand. She waved it once in a sideways motion. The soldiers turned to dust. 

Amneris turned to Kek. "Run."

"Right." Kek, free from his bindings, ran through the rift. It closed behind him.

Amneris spun on the spot where she hovered to face Nephthys where she sat. The bloodied woman crawled back, fear flickering through her eyes though she covered it quickly. 

Nephthys laughed nervously. "Come now, daughter. You don't really want to destroy me."

Amneris tilted her head. A small motion, almost unnoticeable. "You're right. That would be too easy . . ."

"What does that mean?"

"For what you have done to me, to your son, to your daughter, your granddaughter, and so many innocents who never heard your name, I banish you from the multiverse. Your name will be forgotten in Creation. The damage you caused may not be restored but you will cause no more harm. I sentence you to an eternity in the Void." A dark smile crossed her glowing features. "I'm certain the Beasts will treat you well."

Nephthys, having managed to push herself to her feet, took a step away. Only a single step, but it was enough. "You can't!" 

"I can."

Amneris raised a hand toward her mother. A vortex of swirling purple light appeared behind her.

"No!" Nephthys cried, being swept from her feet. 

A deathly roar echoed through from the vortex. An invisible force wrapped around Nephthys' ankles. It - the Void Beast - tugged her toward the rift. The woman clawed at the ground but could do nothing against the strength of the Beast holding her.

Fear - genuine fear - filled the woman's eyes. She reached out to the others. "Stop her!" Nephthys cried. "You have to stop her! Don't let her do this to me!" 

No one dared move.

Nephthys gripped a crack in the floor with her fingertips. Her gaze flicked to one person in particular. "Hathor," she tried desperately. "My granddaughter. Such a good girl. Please help me!" 

Colt's arm tightened around Hathor. She gripped him tightly. 

Nephthys met her daughter's gaze. Hatred overcame fear as she growled. "This is not over. Do you hear me! This is not over!"

The woman lost her grip and, screaming, was dragged into the vortex. It vanished as though it never was.

Finally, it was over. 

* * * * * * * * 

Amneris remained where she was, floating with place. She was still. So still. 

Gently, Colt unwrapped Hathor's arms from his waist. The girl gripped his shirt. A silent warning. Colt placed his hand over her own. She released her grip, understanding. 

He moved toward Amneris. She didn't seem to notice. 

Colt placed has hands on each side of her face. "Tali." 

She blinked. 

"You won, Tali. Nephthys is gone. You can let go now." 

Her power flickered in response to his voice, but still she remained as she was. 

Colt channeled all the power he could muster into his voice. "Please, Tali. Come back to me."

It wasn't working. Why wasn't it working? 

Jay's voice came from behind. "For the love of the Gods, man, kiss the girl!" 

"That only works in novels!" he called back.

"Would you just do it already!" 

Hathor stepped forward. "You two have a bond that not only spans five thousand years, but that goes beyond life and Creation. If anyone can bring mum out of her trance, it's you, dad!"

Colt's head whipped around. "Did you just call me-"

"Kiss her before I throw a fit which is in no way appropriate for a girl in her 200s!"

* * * * * * * * 

To the side, Ema gave Jay a small nudge. "And I thought you shipped it."

"There's a time and a place, Em," he said, though couldn't hide his small smile. 

* * * * * * * * 

Colt faced Amneris. He couldn't tell if she had heard any of the conversation in her trance state. He had no idea if she was even in control of her own mind or if this power had overtaken her so completely that there would be no chance of her returning. And, quite honestly, he'd never believed in the 'love conquers all' idea. Still, it wasn't like he had any better ideas to snap her out of it.

So, Colt did the only thing he could. He kissed the girl. 

When he pulled away, Amneris remained hovering, wings spread, but she looked like herself. She still glowed but it was dimmer. She no longer looked like a God. She was just . . . Amneris.

Amneris opened her swirling violet eyes and smiled. "Hey."

"Hey," he said, brushing a thumb across her cheek. "You okay?"

"I'm always okay." She made to cup his cheek, stopping at the sight of her glowing hand. "That's new."

"And not the only thing," Colt laughed.

Amneris groaned dramatically. "I dread to think. So, what - oof!"

She was sent sprawling as Hathor practically tackled her with a hug. 

"I am so sorry!" Hathor cried. "I didn't think Kek would grab me and - and I didn't know my powers would just . . . just activate on their own and-"

"Woah, baby," Amneris laughed, stroking her daughter's hair. "Breathe. I know it's not your fault. None of us knew what would happen. And," she continued, pushing them into sitting position and hooking her fingers under the girl's chin, "without you, I wouldn't have gotten the Weapon before Nephthys."

"Where is the Weapon?" Jay asked from where he stood nearby.

Amneris grimaced. She tapped her chest, directly over her heart. 

"Tell me you didn't." Her Advisor buried his face in his hands. "Please tell me you didn't do something that stupid."

"At least it explains her increase in power," Xix offered, holding out her hands. Hathor and Amneris took them gratefully. 

Standing, Amneris finally surveyed the room. The dust that remained of the soldiers. And the golden woman standing close to Xix. Their eyes met. Power sparked between them.

Xix jumped in front of Amneris, holding up her hands. "She is on our side now." Amneris raised an eyebrow. "I also ordered her to not kill you. Which means you have to do the same," she finished with a pointed look.

Amneris huffed. "Fine. Time to leave?" 

The others agreed. 

A snap of Amneris' fingers had a swirling vortex opening. Together, the group entered.