Celestial Guardians: Uniting Dimensions (Celestial Guardians Series, #1)

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Kevin's POV

The air felt stifling as we ushered the last students toward Nel's portal. Their frightened faces lingered in my mind, a haunting mix of fear and hope that tugged at my soul. Instead of feeling relief, I sensed the tension in the walls closing in, like a predator poised to attack.

I glanced at Jamaica, who stood guard near the portal, her celestial wings glowing faintly in the dim light. Nel worked tirelessly on the control panel nearby. His brow furrowed in concentration. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was too easy—the quiet was just a prelude to something much worse.

The ground beneath us shuddered with a low rumble that sent a chill down my spine.

"They're coming," Nel muttered, his fingers flying over the keys. "We're running out of time."

"How much longer do you need?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

"Just a few more seconds," he replied, his tone clipped.

Seconds we might not have.

I tightened my grip on the makeshift weapon I'd found—a metal rod that felt woefully inadequate against the kind of enemies we were up against. Without my celestial powers, I was just... human. But I refused to let that stop me.

"Kevin, keep them moving!" Jamaica called, her voice sharp but steady.

I turned to the frightened students, motioning them forward. "Go, now! Don't stop until you're through the portal!"

They stumbled toward safety, their movements frantic but determined. I caught sight of a boy who couldn't have been older than ten, his small frame trembling as he clung to an older girl's hand. Something inside me twisted. No one should have to endure this—not children, not anyone.

Then it happened.

The walls groaned, and from the shadows emerged a wave of figures—guards in dark armor, their eyes glowing an unnatural red. They moved with terrifying precision, cutting off our path to the portal.

"Nel!" I shouted.

"Almost there!" he barked back, his voice laced with urgency.

Jamaica leaped into action, her heavenly arrow glowing with an intense light as she launched it toward the guards. The arrow split into streams of energy, striking multiple enemies at once. It was breathtaking—and a stark reminder of what I'd lost.

"Kevin!" she yelled. "Get back!"

But I couldn't. Not when the guards advanced toward the students. My body moved before my mind could catch up, and I charged at them, swinging the rod with all the strength I had left.

It wasn't enough.

One of the guards caught the rod mid-swing, its grip like iron. It shoved me backward, and I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out.

"Kevin!" Jamaica's voice was filled with panic as she unleashed another arrow.

I struggled to my feet, my vision swimming. The guard closed in, and I braced myself for the worst—only for a burst of light to blind us both.

Nel had done it. The control panel emitted a brilliant glow, intensifying the portal's hum.

"Go!" Nel shouted, his voice echoing through the chaos.

The students ran, their steps frantic as they disappeared through the portal. Jamaica moved to cover them, her arrows creating a barrier between us and the guards.