The Light so Divine

Something Bad

Vic had successfully made it through Dino and into the territory that Dark Core controlled. Vic sighed in exasperation and glared at Avalon. He had made everyone trudge through a frozen wasteland, only to do a giant loop around to Golden Hills Valley. And now they stood on the Keeper's private docks, ready to sail towards the oil rigs.

"Right! Everyone ready?" Avalon asked. He got a chorus of "yeah"s in response. The elder druid nodded at Vic in encouragement.

"Okay, guys. Let's get this over with. When I make the signal, give it your all. It won't be easy, as the rigs are well protected, but we'll try our hardest!" She smiled weakly and turned her gaze to the distant towers on the ocean.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Keepers and Soul Riders stepped off the rowboats and onto the water-level platforms, cloaked in shadow. They split into groups, and each one was given a special command. Only one druid missing from the ranks though. Marcus, the youngest Keeper, volunteered to stay back in Cape West Fishing Village with Concorde. It was decided that Concorde would not go into battle, lest she is lost again. Everyone else went ahead.

Vic nudged Mist, who had grown quite nervous, forward and upwards to where Mr. Sands was waiting. The groups stayed in the shadows as rain pelted down, soaking everyone to the core.

Vic swung her head around to look for guards but her gaze was drawn back to the front when Alex lout out a shout of anger. Her eyes landed on Darko and she narrowed her eyes in concentration. The man paced silently, flicking his eyes between the five women before him. He chuckled darkly and held his hand out to Vic in one last attempt. "If you're so brave, take on a real man. I am not the poison you should fear. Little lady, I am trying to help you. You know Mr. Sands has the information you want. Stop bowing to the Keepers, and come to me. I'm not the evil you should hate. Things are now in motion, and you can't stop them. Embrace your true colours, and claim what's yours." His voice came out smoothly and lowly.

Vic stared at him silently for two minutes, mulling over his offer. Her resolve was faltering and Darko knew it. She took a side glance at Lisa and Alex. Lisa was watching Vic intently, while Alex was giving Darko her best death glare. Finally, Vic looked back at Darko. "You know my answer."

The general narrowed his eyes at her vague response before turning his back and walking away. Vic took the opportunity to charge at him. Darko stepped out of the way and shot his staff out at Mist's legs.

Mist barely avoided the metal and swerved, only to hit a safeguard. Vic was flung out of the saddle and fell over the railing. Her right hand latched onto a low bar and her body swung forwards into the metal of the rig tower heavily. Vic made a soft "oof" sound and felt one of her ribs crack.

From below, the ocean churned violently, and the wind buffeted Vic's body. She grasped the second bar of the railing with her left hand. The cool metal burned against her skin, and it was slick with rainwater. Vic was dangling precariously above the ocean. Meanwhile, above her, Lisa rushed over, while everyone else began fighting against the Dark Core guards who had appeared from all sides.

"Vic, grab my hand!" Lisa held her hand out and Vic latched on. Both girls hauled Vic up, albeit with difficulty, and over to safety. When Vic's feet touched the hard ground, she mounted Mist again and her eyes flared to life. In front of her, about twenty feet away, stood Sabine, a girl with black hair and a red cloak on. She pulled her magic to the surface and charged at the Dark Rider.

A druid blasted a guard out of the way, and Mist hurtled over a fallen oil container. A bolt of lightning shot towards Sabine who jumped out of the way. Mist flew into a clearing and Vic looked around. Surrounding her were Katja, another black-haired girl, and Sabine.

Alex let out a strangled scream and pushed Tin-Can towards Vic. Avalon and Rhiannon both slowly made their way over, throwing guards into the ocean when necessary. Vic looked up and saw the silhouette of Mr. Sands watching the chaos unfold. Darko stood beside him and kept a steady eye on the circle around Vic.

She let out a feral sound and charged Sabine. The woman flung a ball of fire, which in turn hit the forelegs of Mist. The mare crashed downwards, and Vic rolled out of the saddle, narrowly avoiding being crushed. She landed on her back and groaned before placing herself in a crouched position.

Before Alex could reach Vic, Katja created a wall of ice stalagmites, shielding the group for a couple more minutes. Mr. Sands had wandered down and approached Vic.

"Well, I didn't expect to see you here again, and so soon too. However, there is no one to save from grip and I don't believe this meeting will end the same as our last one. You won't escape so easily." He looked up from Vic's form and narrowed his eyes. She followed his gaze.

Avalon and Rhiannon stood just behind Sabine. "Victoria! You have him!" Avalon shouted at her.

Katja spoke up, her lips curved into a smirk. "Vic, we can help you. We can help you use and control your power. Don't listen to the Keepers."

Avalon growled lowly and looked at Vic. "Child, don't listen to her. You have Mr. Sands in your grasp, end this now." His firm, and slightly angry tone, set something off inside her.

The stone around her neck started to glow violently. Her fingers crackled with energy, and a white-hot searing pain consumed Vic. Her blue eyes started to glow and became like fire. The soft thrum of power through her veins became a loud pounding. Finally, the pain coming from the stone stopped as it shattered. Vic screamed and streams of blackish purple and white exploded from her body. A tendril of purple lashed out in Avalon and Rhiannon's direction.

The power was still emanating from Vic, and she turned on Avalon and spoke lowly, her voice echoing. "You had your chance and made your choice. Now let me make mine." She looked down at the charred body of Rhiannon and her heart tugged lightly in remorse. Then, she noticed the injured body of Alex, who lay directly behind Avalon. Vic assumed Alex had tried to reach her but got in the explosion.

Avalon called out one final time. He decided to retreat, gently picking up Rhiannon and leaving Vic. The last thing Vic saw was Evergrey looking in her direction sadly. Her power faded just as quickly as it came, and Vic collapsed.