Stellar

Chapter 22

Fire engulfed the clearing. The heat was starting to become unbearable. Petra couldn't move much; every step she took she was met with flames. Sweat pouring from her, she took a moment and focused on the strange cosmos.

 

She could sense the water from the river nearby. She slowly moved her hands to the side. Slow and flowing, just like Blu had taught her. A ball of water levitated in the air in the distance and glided over to the clearing. Petra let go and water rained down on them dousing the fires in the process.

 

The fires stopped but every type of weather seemed to hit the clearing instead. Hail, wind, snow, thunder, lightning. All accompanied by purple smoke which cast a haze over the area. The smoke seeped out of the gateway like a pipe with a leak, complete with a hissing sound.

 

If they were going to destroy it, now was the time.

 

Barely dodging a lightning attack Kai ran towards the gateway, grabbing Three's arm on his way.

 

"It's time." Kai shouted at her over the sound of thunder as they began to push a large guard back through the gateway.

 

Kai and Three came face to face with the last guard. Kai locked into a battle and attempted to force him back towards the gateway, just as another guard came through. Ruby was quick and struck him in the leg causing him to stumble back through to the Hollow.

 

"Petra, we need to do it now." Kai shouted across the battle. Petra nodded and took advantage of everyone being distracted. She stumbled and scrambled as her legs kept giving way but made it without too much trouble. Hail hitting her face as she ran. She looked around but didn't have anything to break the gateway with. She knew she had to break the lamp. Kammie's research had said that the lamp was the source of the gateway's power. She hugged the lamppost and pulled it with all her strength to rip it down but with no luck.

 

Frayda locked eyes with her. Petra quickened, trying with all her might. She picked up one of the guard's swords that were laying on the ground and began to hit at it. Chipping at the post bit by bit. Chunks flew off in all directions but nothing substantial enough to bring it down. Muscles burning from the repeated motion but she carried on. She wasn't going to stop until all this had stopped.

 

Frayda stalked towards her, shedding her cloak which was sodden with rain. She swiped her hand in hopes that Petra would fly away but nothing happened. Frayda glared at Petra; her movements became more erratic as she tried to swipe Petra away again. Another frustrated growl left her and she tried again. Her nostrils flaring and Petra could see the whites of her eyes.

 

Frayda seized Petra's arm and threw her to the floor. Petra too weak to stop her. Hail pummelled her as she laid there. Frayda inspected the damage to the lamp. It seemed that Petra hadn't done enough to destroy it.

 

Petra couldn't move. But she had to try something. She reached down deep. Pulling the cosmos from within her and giving her just enough energy to carry on. Wiggling her fingers, golden light radiating from them. Orbs of light forming around her hands. Swirling and dancing around her digits. She got up and ran towards the lamp again. Arm pulled back; she was prepared. An alright punch on the centre of the lamppost, the light protecting her from any harm. Sparks flew and a noticeable dent formed in the post. Frayda looked at her with wide eyes. 

 

"Fall back." She shouted. Dashing to the last remaining guard as he escorted her through the gate way.

 

Petra hit the lamp again and again until the lamp fell to the floor with an almighty crash. Heads turned to see the lamp lay on the floor, glass shattered and splintered wood everywhere. Out if the corner if her eye, Petra could see the holographic light of the gateway fade.

 

"Kai Quick!" Petra shouted. Kai and Three dove into the gateway just in time and the gateway was closed.

 

Everything came to a stop. The wind, the hail, the smoke, the lightning. It was silent. the only sound filling their ears was their own heavy breathing. Petra looked around and all that was left was Ruby in the fire scorched clearing that still resembled Silva Hollow.