Four Elements Book 3 - Sacrifice

Part 50

The electricity in the air was so strong Andie could almost taste it. Zorak's rage alone was more than enough to make up for all her friends' resentment put together. The pressure was so great it felt about to burst. Andie considered getting them all out while there were no wounded, but she soon pushed that idea aside. Bane would never let go of his desire to avenge his mother, she knew it. Once something was stuck in his head, there was no way of getting it out. He was almost as stubborn as Jessica, and Andie hadn't thought that was possible.

"Light of the Guardian!"

"Howling Gale!" Emily shouted.

The light from Bane's power dazzled Zorak, causing him to growl and recoil, while Emily's wind knocked him off his feet.

"We have to get out of here before it's too late," Isabelle said.

"No," Bane argued sharply. "We have to finish this. I'm done running. He's only going to come after us again. You guys leave if you want, I'm staying."

I knew it... Andie thought as she rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Then perhaps you'll allow me to add my natural touch," Jessica said, raising her arms.

"Jess, wait, your powers aren't as strong in this world!" Andie reminded her.

Sure enough, they'd seen during previous visits that her ability It seemed slower than it would have been on Earth, probably because of the demonic energy that flowed through the ground. Since Jessica's power wasn't demonic, it wasn't as effective. Isabelle's power was also weaker because of the heat. But Jessica didn't seem to hear her.

"Soul of the Earth!"

A large rock rose from the ground and flew towards Zorak... but dropped a few feet from him. Zorak looked at her with amusement.

"What, was that supposed to frighten me?"

Jessica tried not to show it, but Andie knew her too well to miss her fluster.

"No, but this might," Isabelle interjected. "Aquatic rush!"

She conjured a melon-sized orb of water, which she promptly dropped on Zorak. That was probably the biggest mistake they could have made. Infuriated, he kicked the ground with all his might, causing such a strong tremor that Andie and her friends were knocked off their feet again. Andie's arm protested in pain again, but she did her best to ignore it. She tried to get to her feet, but couldn't.

It was like an invisible weight was pressing down on her. Soon, she found it harder to breathe properly. Her chest wouldn't expand as much as it should. She looked around, and found her friends were also pinned to the ground. The pressure kept increasing, and soon became painful.

She heard Emily let out a cry as Zorak laughed. Then, as well as the pain of the crushing force on her back, Andie suddenly let out a scream of pain as electricity shot through her body, as well as her friends, who shouted too.

"Yes, feel the suffering you have caused me!" Zorak laughed. "I have had enough of your interfering with my plans! Now, I shall destroy you!"

Just then, Andie felt the pain subside. It was ebbing away, like water. The cries of agony around her were also dying away. Andie managed to turn enough to see what was going on. Somehow, only Zarias was writhing in pain, now. She glanced at her friends, who seemed as perplexed as herself.

"Zarias, stop, you're killing yourself!" Isabelle cried.

At those words, Andie's eyes widened. Zarias was the only one suffering because he was absorbing the effects for everyone else!

"Only... way... get... him..." he gasped.

Andie thought quickly. She had to distract Zorak long enough for them to break free. She got an idea. He was standing still, glancing in confusion at the shift, which he hadn't noticed was Zarias's doing, yet, too wrapped up in his own thoughts. She wasn't sure he'd even heard Isabelle's cry. Soon, he would increase the pressure and Andie wasn't sure Zarias could take much more. She was in fact amazed he'd held out this long. She had to do something.

Quickly, she aimed for Zorak's ankle and fired a flame dagger of her own. It flew straight and true, striking Zorak, who howled in pain and lost his concentration. Zarias fell limp on the floor, his eyes closed.

"Zarias!" Isabelle cried, shifting to his side.

Andie and Bane looked at each other, and Andie knew he was thinking the same thing she was. It was a huge gamble, and they both realized it. But at this point, it was all they had. They got to their feet, still looking at each other.

"What, thinking of some desperate plan to beat me?" Zorak sneered. "It won't work."

"Maybe not," Andie agreed, looking at him. "But at least we'll know we did everything we could to stop you."

Zorak laughed again. Andie closed her eyes and let the flames run free once more. It felt warm and comfortable, as though they'd always wanted to be let loose. Her eyes opened, glowing with fire, as were her hands and hair. She had never felt so powerful. Adena didn't appear to have tried this when she'd been alive, because Zorak seemed to be concealing his surprise.

Looking at Bane, Andie saw he'd done the same as her. His eyes were pure light, but his expression was calm, peaceful. They turned to their friends, who were staring at them with uncertain eyes. Andie and Bane had never felt calmer, somehow, even with the incredible energy radiating from them both. Turning to face each other, they looked at each other, their eyes saying what their mouths could not. Bane then held out his hands, which Andie took without hesitation.

Closing their eyes and pressing their foreheads together, they spoke two words as though they'd always known them:

"Burning Light."