Breaking Light

Chapter 21

"And I will be ready for you demon." Aria responded in kind as Irilith retreated into the forest depths.
"I can sense the portal close by but it's faint. Almost as if..."
Michael focused on the portal ahead.
"If what I feel is true, Jacob needs our help."
There was a loud thunder that shook the ground and everyone looked up. The skies were burning with meteors showering down on the ground as the assault continued. Distant battle cries could be heard as the Elves fought off the invaders.
Aria hovered above the ground, power radiating from her, she lifted a finger towards the sky "Ealondiril is holding off against Leviathans" She spoke with a reverberate voice,
"They have brought down an armada. We were never the target of this invasion, they wanted to face off Hir Ealondiril. Another tear through space-time is imminent. Shadows will overwhelm this world. They will try to corrupt the life essence of Tiernok but her guardian will defend her."
Runes on Aria's body started to fade as Stag separated himself from her and she lost her balance. Michael caught her as she fell to the ground.
"Dad, Tiernok. Her essence spoke to me, I felt what she felt, she's in pain, she knows it's her end, she knows there is nothing that can be done to save her."
"Ealondiril is fighting for her. The shadows have no idea what they're in for. I've stood with him a long time ago and if anyone can hold the armada, it's him." He said with a low voice as he lifted Aria back to her feet. Melissa held her shoulder
"You shouldn't push yourself too much Aria."
Aria looked at her mother and for the first time in a long time she saw a mother's love. She smiled at her, grasped her arm,
"I love you guys."
Melissa stroked her daughter's cheek, holding Michael's hand, the four made their way to the portal. The ground beneath them shook again and a ball of blue flames shot past and smashed on the ground in front of them. The dust settled revealing a severely injured elf, his blue aura still burning through the ether, blood dripping from his forehead and robes torn in from various places. Ealondiril lifted himself off the ground, he looked at the group and his eyes narrowed.
"Mikhaeel. What are you still doing here?? Did I not ask you to leave this world immediately?"
"Luinil, we met Irilith."
The elf's expression got grim,
"That explains a lot. Melissandraiel, I see you." He lifted his hand, touched his forhead and brought it down to his chest, the traditional elven greeting, Aria responded in kind,
"I see you. Annon Allen Ealondiril. I can never repay you for all that you have given me."
He smiled at her, battered and bruised,
"No thanks is necessary, I am merely fulfilling my destiny, dear child. I'm afraid Tiernok will not survive tonight. I have ordered my people to make way for distant worlds yet hidden from the shadows. The Elves shall live to see another day."
"Ealondiril, please. I ask you again. Come with us." Michael pleaded.
"No Mikhaeel, the shadows can not have this world, Tiernok's corruption will give the enemy power truly unimaginable, The creation is not equipped to face that evil yet. It is my duty as her Guardian to protect her... or destroy her... if need be."
Ealondiril struggled to keep his footing and Stag immediately came to support the elder elf while Melissa tended to his wounds and healed him as much as she could.
"My lord Ealondiril, how may I be of service?" the demon asked.
Ealondiril smiled,
"Be her strength Staghiklo. Be her flame in the darkest of hours."
Stag looked at Aria,
"Always, my Lord."
"I bid you farewell my friends. May the light guide you."
Ealondiril lifted off the ground shooting towards a new rift in the sky, his aura blazing through the dark skies. Gigantic creatures ten times the size of a whale with tentacles coming out its sides, jaws that were too unnatural filled with rows of sharp fangs, a shroud of darkness covered its trail and its long tail ended in spikes, drifted into the atmosphere through the rift, Leviathans, largest demons to have existed invaded the world in legions. The blue star, guardian of Tiernok,  flew towards the enemy lashing out a barrage of spells at them.
Aria knelt on the ground, pushed some of her will through in hopes of connecting with Tiernok's essence, a voice filled her head.
"Do not despair, our time has come. A gift for you to remember us, Aria Redstone, daughter of Tiernok."
Aria looked at her forearm, a new rune etched itself under her skin, the design was intricate, it looked like one of the flowers she had seen in the forest surrounded by a network of wines. Aria traced the rune, tears falling freely, stood up and looked at the sky, Ealondiril appeared as a shining blue dot in the sky that struck flares at the many leviathans that attacked him.
The four finally arrived at the portal, the gateway seemed unstable and Michael looked at Melissa, she nodded back at him, she knelt down, placed her hand on the ground which glowed in response,