Blade institute: the unseen prophecy

38

The ground beneath me cracked and split, a surge of raw, elemental energy erupting from the earth and slamming into the demon with the force of a tidal wave. The creature was obliterated, its body disintegrating into nothingness as the power tore through it. The shockwave radiated outward, sending the other demons flying, their bodies slamming into the rocks
with bone-crushing force. The valley shook with the intensity of the unleashed power, a storm of wind, fire, and lightning erupting from me in a chaotic swirl. The demons were thrown back, their attacks momentarily halted as they struggled against the onslaught.

But the darkness inside me was insatiable. It didn't stop with the demons—it craved more, demanded more. I could feel it pulling at the edges of my consciousness, urging me to let go, to unleash everything I had kept hidden. For a moment, I hovered on the brink, teetering between control and surrender, the temptation to give in almost overwhelming.

"Evangeline!" Rian's voice cut through the haze, sharp and desperate. His hands gripped my shoulders, shaking me, trying to pull me back from the abyss. "Don't let it take you!"

His words were an anchor, grounding me, reminding me of who I was. With a monumental effort, I pulled back, wrestling the darkness into submission. The storm of magic around me subsided, the energy retracting back into the earth, leaving the valley eerily quiet in its wake.

The demons that had survived my attack were scattered, their ranks decimated. But they were not defeated. I could see them regrouping in the distance, their eyes glowing with a renewed hatred, a burning desire for revenge. They were coming back, and they were angrier than ever.

But I had nothing left to give. The wound in my side throbbed painfully, and I could feel the edges of my vision darkening. My limbs felt heavy, drained of energy, and I struggled to stay upright, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

Rian caught me as I started to collapse, his arms wrapping around me, holding me up. "Stay with me, Evangeline," he murmured, his voice rough with worry. "We're not done yet."

Ethan and Sam rushed to our side, their faces pale and strained from the battle. Sam's eyes widened as he took in the blood seeping through my clothes, but he quickly shoved down his panic, turning to face the oncoming wave of demons.

"They're coming back," he said, his voice grim. "And they're not going to stop."

Ethan nodded, his jaw clenched as he surveyed the battlefield. "We need to get out of here. We can't take them all on, not like this."

Rian tightened his grip on me, his expression fierce. "She's too weak to fight," he said, his voice hard. "We need to protect her."

The demons were closing in again, faster and more ferocious than before. Their growls echoed through the valley, a terrifying chorus of rage and hunger. I could see their eyes fixed on me, filled with an insatiable need for my power.

"I can't hold them off," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I'm sorry..."

Rian's expression softened, and he pressed a quick, desperate kiss to my forehead. "Don't you dare apologize," he said fiercely. "We're getting you out of here. You just have to hold on."

Ethan moved to stand beside Rian, his sword ready. "We'll cover you. Get her back to the Institute."

Sam nodded, his face set with determination as he took his place on my other side. "Let's move."

With Rian supporting most of my weight, we began to retreat, backing away from the approaching horde. The demons snarled and snapped, their pace quickening as they sensed our withdrawal, but Ethan and Sam held the line, their swords flashing as they cut down any demon that dared to get too close.

My vision was starting to blur, the pain in my side growing more intense with each step. I could feel my strength slipping away, my consciousness beginning to fade. The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was the twisted, snarling face of a demon lunging toward me, its claws outstretched.

Then everything went black.

——

When I awoke, I was lying on a soft bed, the familiar scent of herbs and antiseptic filling the air. My body ached all over, but the sharp pain in my side had dulled to a manageable throb. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind as I looked around.

I was in the infirmary, the dim light of the afternoon sun filtering through the curtains. The room was quiet, save for the faint sounds of distant voices and the soft rustling of papers. For a moment, I lay there, disoriented, trying to piece together what had happened.

The battle. The Valley of Shadows. The demons.

I sat up abruptly, wincing as pain shot through my side. My hand went to the bandage wrapped around my midsection, the memory of the demon's claws still vivid in my mind. The realization that I was alive, that I had somehow survived, sent a rush of relief through me.

But what about the others? Where were Rian, Ethan, and Sam? Had they made it out?

As if summoned by my thoughts, the door to the infirmary opened, and Rian walked in. His expression was a mixture of relief and exhaustion, and when he saw me sitting up, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"You're awake," he said, his voice rough.

I nodded, my throat dry. "What... what happened? Did we make it back?"

Rian crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, his hand reaching out to take mine. His touch was warm, grounding, and I felt some of the lingering fear begin to dissipate.

"We made it back," he confirmed. "But it was close. You blacked out after the attack, and we had to fight our way out of the valley. Ethan and Sam held the line while I carried you. The demons were relentless, but we managed to get to the extraction point just in time. Reinforcements arrived and helped us get back to the Institute."

I squeezed his hand, a surge of gratitude washing over me. "Thank you," I whispered.

Rian shook his head, his expression serious. "Don't thank me. Just focus on getting better. We'll need you, Evangeline. The demons... they're not going to stop. This was just the beginning."

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I nodded, understanding the gravity of what he was saying. The battle in the Valley of Shadows had been a warning, a glimpse of the war that was to come. The demons knew who I was, what I was capable of, and they would stop at nothing to get to me.

But I wasn't alone. I had Rian, Ethan, Sam, and the others. We were a team, and together, we would fight. Together, we would face whatever darkness was on the horizon.

For now, I would rest, regain my strength, and prepare for the battles ahead. The war was far from over, but I had survived one of its darkest moments. And I would continue to fight, no matter the cost.

Rian stayed with me as I lay back down, his presence a comforting reminder that I wasn't facing this alone. As I drifted back to sleep, the fear and pain began to fade, replaced by a fierce determination.

I was the last daughter, the one destined to bring about the end—or perhaps, to prevent it. The choice was mine. And I would choose to fight.