Swan Song

The Battle of the Neverseen

We tried to walk with confidence and optimism. But these guys have beat us.

Every.

Single.

Freaking.

Time.

So it was kind of hard to think luck would be in our favor this time around. But we tried, because a good attitude means good results. At least, that's what the adults keep saying. Is it true, I don't know, I don't know what to believe now.

I heard feet thudding on the ground behind us, but I didn't look back. I didn't want to panic at the sight of my sacrificial friends.

I heard whispers of "goodbye's" behind me, but I didn't join in. I wasn't ready to let go just yet.

Our parents looked really worried, I knew they were worried, but they didn't stop us from meeting our destiny, our fate. It was like they couldn't stop us, because this was meant to happen.

The final battle.

Sophie... if anything happens, remember I love you.

I love you too, Fitz. I love everyone here. I don't want to risk them... But I don't want to stop them either.

I know what you mean.

Of course, Fitz understood. He was the most kind, understanding person I knew. And that's why I knew I meant it when I said:

I really like you, Fitz. In that way. You know?

Fitz smiled.

I know.

While our silent conversation was going on, the Neverseen had set up their defenses and were poised to attack.

"Let's do this," I whispered.

We had played this game a million times. Each time, they had won. Not this time. Not the time that mattered most.

We would checkmate them this time.

They had lost Umber, and even though they still had everyone else, she was the main offensive threat.

We have the upper hand now. We have my Inflicting, Grady's Mesmering, we had everyone else, we would work together to take them down.

Every time they won, we were in small groups, this time we would take them on with full force.

I didn't notice that my friends were positioned behind me.

"Did you think you could abandon us and go do all the fun stuff, Foster?" Keefe said rather loudly from behind me. I was startled.

"Um."

Keefe just smiled.

"How cute. You guys would go great together. Too bad you won't live long enough!" a dark voice came from one of the Neverseen's cloaks.

Keefe and I blushed, and Fitz scowled and fumed.

We got into a fighting stance: Fists up, crouch down.

"Oh no. We aren't doing this traditionally. After all, we are the more evolved species. Besides, a fight like that would be too easy against a bunch of kids like you. We're using abilities." I then recognized the voice as Gethen's. My blood boiled. This was the man who had hurt so many of the people that I care about.

"Whatever. You should know, we have the upper hand with abilities. After all, we have Sophie." Fitz pointed out.

Gethen removed his hood and just smiled.

He motioned one of the members towards the back to come to the front.

"We have your little friend over here."

Tam.

I heard Linh suck in a sharp breath behind me. Her own brother was fighting against us. To protect her. I couldn't even imagine the guilt I knew she tried to hide.

I saw Marella's fists clench and her face twisted into a deep scowl from the corner of my eye. I didn't realize she cared about him so much.

"We also have young Callix over here. Please step forward."

Callix? Who the hell was he?

"Who's Callix?" I heard Biana echo my curiosity.

Vespera stepped forward and smiled. "Callix, show the young girl what you can do."

A cloaked figure stepped to the front. He was shorter than the rest; probably younger.

Did they always have him? Or is he a new recruit?

Probably new.

I didn't realize I transmitted it to Fitz. I jumped

Sorry.

No, it's fine. It's nice to know I have someone to count on.

What do you think he can do?

I don't know. It must be something dangerous.

Yeah.

Do you think Linh and Marella are going to be okay?

It's going to be hard for them.

We will have to get Tam out of their clutches. Unharmed.

Tam and that new member is their only upper hand.

Why do you think someone so young as him, join such an evil group?

He probably joined to protect someone, like Tam, or find out information, like Keefe. Or he just had a horrible childhood and hates all of the Elvin population.

I smiled at the last part.

I'm going to go check on how the others are doing.

Y'all good? I transmitted it to my family and friends.

They all smiled or nodded slightly in response.

I transmitted my plan to the rest of them.

I think we should knock out the members closest to Callix and Tam. Alden and Grady, you guys grab Callix. Mind control him if you have to. Linh and Dex, take Tam and run for it. Dex, make sure both of them are safe. Keefe, Biana, and Edaline take on the front row. Fitz and I will handle the back.

I waited for everyone to agree to the plan, and then I began the battle by channeling my inflicting onto the members closest to Tam. Biana and Della disappeared, and I could see some of the Neverseen members get surprise attacks from behind.

I was about to knock them out with inflicting when I saw shadowvapor shooting towards Keefe.

"Keefe, duck!"

Thank goodness he heard me in time. The look of agony on Tam's face was almost too much to bear. And Linh...

"SOPHIE WATCH OUT!" Marella shouted to me. I could feel the darkness seeping into my consciousness. And then the world went dark.

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