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

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Nel's POV

I stepped out of the crumbling ruins of the underground lair, my wings heavy and my heart heavier. I had managed to escape the Destroyer's grasp, but at what cost? The artifact was gone, Kevin had lost his powers, and Jamaica was out there fighting battles she shouldn't have to face alone.

I scanned the horizon, hoping to see the faint glow of her celestial wings cutting through the darkness, but there was nothing—only silence.

"She'll be fine," I told myself, though the words tasted like ash.

The others had made it out—students trembling with fear, Kevin visibly drained, and the weight of everything we'd endured pulling us down like an anchor. Kevin, once a powerful force among us, now looked... human. Vulnerable.

"Nel," Kevin called out, his voice shaky but determined. "We can't leave her."

I turned to him, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "And what do you plan to do, Kevin? Run back there without powers? You'll get yourself killed!"

His jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. That was the worst part. He knew I was right, and it killed him.

Before I could say more, a faint energy ripple shot through the air like a shockwave; it hit me in the chest, making my wings flare instinctively. Kevin staggered, grabbing a tree for support while the students huddled closer together.

"Jamaica," I whispered.

It had to be her.

Without a second thought, I spread my wings and shot into the sky, the world below blurring into a dark canvas of green and black. Kevin's shout echoed behind me, but I didn't stop.

She needed me.

I followed the energy trail like a thread through the night, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. The closer I got, the heavier the air became, thick with the stench of dark magic. When I reached the clearing, the sight before me caught my breath.

Jamaica stood in the middle of a shimmering barrier, her celestial glow dimming as Sofia bore down on her relentlessly. She looked like a monster cloaked in the shell of the girl we once trusted.

"Jamaica!" I shouted, diving toward the barrier.

Her head snapped toward me, her expression a mix of relief and warning. "Stay back, Nel!" she cried. "This is my fight!"

But how could I stay back? How could I watch her fight alone?

I landed just outside the barrier, my wings folding behind me as I slammed my fists against the wall of energy separating us. "Let me in!"

Jamaica shook her head, her bow trembling in her hands. "I told you—this is my fight. She'll take both of us down if I let you in."

"And if you keep me out, she'll take you down!" I shot back, my voice cracking.

Sofia's laughter cut through the tension like a knife. "Oh, how touching. But you're too late, Nel. You always were."

She turned her attention back to Jamaica, her hand glowing with the sickly green light of dark magic. "You can't win this, little guardian. You're outmatched, outnumbered, and running out of time."

Jamaica's eyes burned defiantly, even as sweat dripped down her temple. "Maybe. But I'm not giving up."

Sofia raised her hand, the magic coalescing into a spear of pure energy. My heart lurched as she hurled it straight at Jamaica.

"No!"

Instinct took over. Without thinking, I channeled every ounce of celestial energy and slammed it into the barrier. The impact sent shockwaves through my body, but I didn't care. I had to get through.

The barrier shattered like glass, and I surged forward just as the spear reached Jamaica. My wings flared, catching the brunt of the attack. Pain seared through me, but I forced myself to stay upright.

Jamaica's eyes widened. "Nel, what are you—"

"We do this together," I said through gritted teeth, my voice steady despite the agony coursing through me.

Sofia's smile faltered, just for a moment. "Foolish boy. You've only delayed the inevitable."

"Maybe," I said, summoning my sword, its celestial blade gleaming in the dim light. "But delaying is all we need."

Jamaica stepped up beside me, her bow glowing once more. We faced Sofia, the air crackling with energy as the battle resumed.

The tension in the clearing felt like a storm, ready to explode. Beside me, Jamaica steadied her bow, her celestial energy sparking in a way I'd never seen before. I could feel the heat of my blade pulsing in rhythm with my racing heart. Every muscle screamed for rest, but there was no time for that. Not now.

Sofia circled us like a predator sizing up its prey, her once-familiar face twisted into something almost unrecognizable. The dark energy radiating from her was suffocating, coiling around the clearing and casting everything in a sickly green glow.

"Still playing the heroes, are we?" Sofia sneered, her voice carrying a mocking edge that made my skin crawl. "You're outmatched. Both of you. Do you really think you can stop me now?"

Jamaica didn't flinch. Her arrow was nocked and aimed squarely at Sofia's heart. "Maybe not," she said, her voice steady and low, "but we're going to try anyway."

Sofia's laughter was sharp, like shattered glass. "Brave words, little guardian. Let's see how long your courage lasts."

Before we could respond, Sofia raised her hands, summoning a torrent of dark magic that roared toward us like a tidal wave. Without thinking, I stepped in front of Jamaica, raising my sword just in time to absorb the brunt of the attack. The force of it sent me skidding backward, my feet digging into the dirt to keep me upright.

"Nel!" Jamaica's voice was sharp and worried, but I held up a hand to stop her.

"I'm fine," I said, though the ache in my arms told a different story.

Sofia tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "How touching. Protecting each other until the bitter end. But tell me, Nel—what happens when protecting her costs you everything?"

Her words hit harder than I wanted to admit, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I tightened my grip on my sword, feeling its weight in my hands. "You talk too much," I said, stepping forward.

Sofia's smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. "You'll regret that."

She lunged at me, her movements a blur of speed and power. I barely had time to block her strike, the clash of our weapons sending sparks flying into the air. She was faster than I expected, but I didn't back down. Every swing and parry felt like a battle for survival, and I knew I couldn't afford a single mistake.

Out of my eye, I saw Jamaica circling, looking for an opening. She moved precisely, her bow drawn and ready, her gaze locked on Sofia.

"Jamaica, now!" I shouted, breaking the rhythm of Sofia's attacks long enough for her to take her shot.

The arrow flew through the air, glowing with celestial light. Sofia twisted at the last second, but the arrow grazed her shoulder, the impact sending a ripple of energy through her. She hissed in pain, her eyes narrowing as she turned her fury on Jamaica.

"You'll pay for that," she snarled, dark magic crackling around her hands.

But Jamaica didn't waver. She nocked another arrow, her expression calm and determined. "You first."

Sofia released energy, and I barely had time to react. I dove toward Jamaica, grabbing her and pulling her out of the way just as the attack scorched the ground where she'd been standing.

"We need to end this," I said, my voice low as I helped her to her feet.

Jamaica nodded, her eyes meeting mine. "Let's do this."

End of Chapter Forty-One