A Raven's Choice (Book 2)

Chapter 2: A Last Stand

Barchur's Point Of View:

The whole world seemed doomed. I stared at Cynthia's frail dead body in my arms, almost like I lost everything in my life. I just got her back after twelve long years, and this was how it ended? I could feel my rage bubbling up, and my mark was beginning to glow from the after effect. Oanin must have realized her death as well, as all of her protectors feel the pain of her death. I was in shock. I was angry. I was numb. I slowly looked up from her body to see Raven holding hands with everyone around her. Maybe she saw hope in this lost world, but I did not. I felt John's filthy voice once again, surrounding us all. "You may be the strongest man alive, but strength won't win against me." Enraged, I gently put Cynthia down and turned my attention to the clouds. "I will find you and when I do, I will kill you!" He chuckled. "Oh, you'll do a lot of killing, Barchur. But, it won't be me." Startled, Raven and her gang unlocked hands and started to get defensive. Juren seemed to know exactly what would happen, as he worked faster than the others. He got in front of everyone as I started to feel my mark burn. With Cynthia dead, the connection between Oanin and I was gone. His mark was voided, and I had nothing to protect me. I could feel John's influence creeping into my body. John did this on purpose. He wanted me to be enraged so he can use his dark power to influence me. Just like he puppet-erred Cynthia, he was now puppeteering me. He planned this from the beginning and we were all playing into his hands. My mark burned into a scar, creating a circle with barbed wire. I was no longer tied to anyone and no one could help me now.

Juren's Point Of View:

I acted quickly. I knew that this was the point in time that Barchur would turn on everyone. We weren't prepared for this kind of strength, and we needed more numbers. "Orion and Sid, take the back. Arish and Broncho, I need you up here in the front. Dieris, I need you to start nullifying Barchur's fire. Melkin and Wane, take to the air and defend us from debris that he will throw at us. Noame, I will need you to come in last to trap him with your swords. Then, Brady can call upon an animal to help us. Tirek and Xakin, I need you to take the sides as support. Darth, I need you to do the most important job. Get Racon, Rater, and Raven out of here with your invisibility." My plan was the only one that worked, and I needed them to act now. Everyone looked at me in frozen surprise until Barchur started to move unwillingly. Barchur looked at all of us as he moved quickly. No talking, just straight action. I turned to everyone behind me. "Do it, NOW!" Everyone scrambled and did as I asked. Arish and Broncho took the front lines, with Broncho sheathing his scythe from his back. Tirek and Xakin took the sides, eager to support us. Barchur reached us before any other movement happened. I quickly ran to the side as Arish collided with Barchur. Dieris let Zachar take the reins. "You know what to do." He said as he switched his orange eyes to Zachar's eyes. Zachar ran toward Barchur, as Arish held his left hand and Broncho held his right hand. Broncho belted out, "HURRY! We can't hold him for long!" Barchur was gnashing his teeth and drooling, clearly not in control. Zachar barely touched him when Barchur released himself from Arish and Broncho's grip. Zachar's eyes widened as Barchur slapped him across the field. "Leave, before I kill you all." Barchur at least had some sense of what was going on. Darth blinked at the sight of Zachar flying by. "Raven, Racon, Rater, come with me." She held their hands, turned invisible, and fled the scene.  Since Zachar's plan failed, Melkin and Wane took to the air with their air power. Melkin looked down at us all. "Barchur is strong. I will have to hold him down, while the rest of you flee." Wane threw this head to Melkin. "You'll die!" Melkin chuckled. "As long as you live Wane, we will be fine if I die here." Wane flew toward Melkin and Melkin did his classic tornado move and pushed us all across the field a good distance. He then created a tornado wall, so Barchur could not cross. "This is your only chance. Get all of the nullifying casters. Even if I die, Wane will live." He locked eyes with me as I was panicking. "See you on the other side, brother."