The Chosen

The following is a complete work of fiction.

Any resemblance between the characters and any real life person is completely coincidental. Please do not copy or distribute the story without the author's permission.

Disclaimer:

The following story may contain erotic situations. If it is illegal for you to read this please leave now. Also expect blood, gore, incredibly funny scenes and super-powered teenagers with a destiny to save the world. If you're not a fan of any of these plus strong cursing and violence than this is not your type of story.

Chapter 17

Days passed and New Years Eve fell upon us. I had gotten over my sickness the day before. Thank God. I was now fit as a porn star. With New Years Eve usually being the day of craziness, at least for normal people, we gathered together after dark to bunk down in the Command Center. We didn't know if monsters got wild during the New Year but we didn't want to take any chances. We cranked up the sensor arrays and settled down in the operations room ready for anything.

"This is amazing," said Ryan, gazing intently at the Videum Crystallus in its book form. "The information stored is the entire collective data of your knowledge, or well Prince Emrys' knowledge I should say."

I looked up, candy cane dangling from my mouth. "Is that so?"

"I don't know why you bother, Ryan. You know he's simple." Killian turned around from the control station that linked to the monitors. "It's a wonder that he even found that book."

"It's not just a book," interrupted Ryan, before I could retort. "Its original form is a crystal that works much like a computer in the way that it stores information. If I can study it I think I can crack it and figure out its full potential and-"

"Can someone please help me, so we can get this thing set to a regular station?" Killian butted in. "If I'm going to be missing New Years Eve parties, I at least want to watch the ball drop."

Adam rolled his eyes, getting up to help. "Killian, this equipment can pick up signals all the way from the Andromeda Galaxy. Local satellite frequencies are a piece of cake."

I scooted my chair closer to Ryan and looked at the book. The blue pages with its glittering silver ink called to me like none other. I was getting a real Johnny Smith, Dead Zone, kind of vibe from it. I slid the book closer to me and flipped through the pages. The Atlantean lettering nagged at me, but besides randomly recognizing a word I couldn't read jack shit.

I sighed. "I wish I could figure this thing out. I mean there are passages here that seem like journal entries. I really want to know how some of our days were spent." I grew sad and a bit pensive at the thought of the past. "...Especially our last."

Abruptly the book's pages began to swiftly flip with such a force that I backed up with a curse. Ryan jumped up and I followed suit. Killian and Adam joined us in gazing down at the abnormal sight.

"It's possessed!" I shouted, forming a fireball. "Kill it!"

Adam's sword was out and the blade ignited within the blink of an eye. He raised his sword and descended upon the book. Ryan yelled out and jumped in front of him.

"Wait, stop!"

I stared him down. "Ryan, get out of the way. Have you learned nothing from the Evil Dead Trilogy? Possessed books are trouble!"

Ryan shook his head. "Chad, that's just it. This is much more than a book. Can we at least see what happens before you two go all Rambo on it?"

I begrudgingly dissipated my fireball. "Fine." I laid a hand on Adam's arm. "Down boy."

Killian rolled his eyes. "Can we say whipped?"

"Whipped," chirped Adam on cue, smirking.

He kissed me on my head and I mirrored his smirk at Killian. We always had each others backs. We were soul mates. I just had to muster up the courage to admit the feelings that lived inside me. I loved this man. I just had to find a way to tell him that. It seemed too quick but I had fallen for him. Mind, body, and soul, well the soul bit happened a lifetime ago.

"Well, would you look at that?"

I turned at Ryan's voice. We all creped closer to the book and looked down upon its pages. The letters were pulsing as if alive, looking tangible as they glowed with an inner light. I licked my suddenly dry lips. The pages had stopped turning and the book was flipped near its middle. I gasped as my body spurned with a sense of knowing. I found my hand stretching forward on its own accord. I knew what I had to do. The book was linked to me in almost a symbiotic way. It had read my wishes and it wanted to see them granted. I just had to- I slammed my palm on the pages surface and Adam cried out, but I ignored him. Nothing bad was going to happen. I stared down hard at the beating letters. I tugged at the thread of fogged memories until I hit gold.

"Initiate recall sequence," I rattled off, my tone commanding and firm. "Data ports of alpha entries, open on authorization Emrys Cor, Prince of Atlantis."

The pages flared to life beneath my palm. The long dead Atlantean script flashed rapidly across the pages. "Welcome Emrys Cor, Prince of Atlantis. Please input authorization key."

The others jumped at the disembodied voice but I replied, "Gamma-omicron- scarlet-twelve-eleven."

"Recall sequence initiating," stated the voice, calmly. "Standby."

I pulled once more at the memories and the final word fell from my lips. "Execute."

The Atlantean script settled and seemed to sink into the pages. A huge five pointed star drew itself so huge that it covered both pages. At each star point a tiny jeweled light shined almost mesmerizing. I swallowed, my throat suddenly feeling a little scratchy. I looked at my friends and they gawked at me, as if I was jacking off in front of them or something. It was that kind of stunned shock that carried on far longer than I thought it should. I squirmed on the spot and crossed my arms defensively.

"What?" I snapped a bit too harshly.

They came to themselves. "Nothing!" said Adam, hurriedly. "I-Well it's just a surprise whenever you do that."

Ryan nodded in agreement. "Your eyes go all vacant and then boom you just start talking with an authority that we never hear from you. It's startling because it happens so randomly."

I raised my eyebrow at Killian. "You have anything to add?"

Killian shrugged. "Kiss my ass."

I snorted. "Sounds about right."

Ryan was totally not even paying attention. He was engrossed in the new shape that took up the book's pages. I grasped Adam's hand and looked over his shoulder.

"What did you do?" Ryan asked, intently studying the star.

I frowned. I knew but at the same time I didn't. It was weird. "I think we're each supposed to touch a star point."

"What will happen?" questioned Adam, staring at me.

I shrugged. "I'm not sure. I just know we're supposed to touch a star point."

We tossed the proceedings around and we discussed the cons of the situation. There were a lot of them. Evil possessed book was the primary one. I was the one that was throwing that around still. It wasn't till Adam pointed out that I subconsciously knew what happened, and offered further information that it should be taken highly. I agreed after giving a thought. My subconscious had never led me wrong so far. My gut was telling me what we had to do and eventually we all agreed on seeing it out.

"If I die," I said solemnly, gazing around. "I want you guys to know it was me who ate the last honey bun..."

Killian exhaled loudly. "You pig. I knew it was you."

I wasn't finished. "...And I split it with Adam."

"Hey," shouted Adam, offended. "You promised that you wouldn't say anything!"

I shrugged. "If I'm a pig you are too."

"I'm not a pig," he whined under his breath.

I grabbed Adam's hand and smiled sweetly at him. "But you're such a pretty pig, bright eyes." I looked at all of them seriously. "I don't know what will happen, but it can't be that bad. This book was not meant to cause harm. I-I know this."

And I did. I knew it in the pit of my soul. The same part of me that knew we all were more than friends. We were Chosen. The part that knew Adam was my soul mate. That part was strong and true and I believed in it. I extended my arm and I could see the others follow my example. Here we go. At the same time our fingertips touched a star point.

And the world exploded in light.

The room was enormous. The roof was tall and it stretched up high above. It was a cathedral like chamber with its high, paned windows in which golden sunshine beamed down. Before a raised dais gathered a crowd of people that numbered in the high thousands. They were garbed in light colors of beige, white, and cream. It was a breathtaking scene. Upon the raised dais four figures kneeled. They were in their early teens, no more than thirteen years old. They were dressed in shining, silver mail and white tunics. Before them was a middle aged man. He was fair of skin with short golden hair and eyes of brightest blue. His robes of silver were elaborate and their color matched the circlet that rested on his brow. He smiled down upon them and when he spoke his voice carried so the entire assembly heard him clearly.

"By the radiating warmth of the sun, Sol, I present the Champion of Light, Solaris. Rise now, Lord Apollo."

Apollo stood to his feet and faced the masses.

"Endowed with the strength and soul of the celestial gods I present the Champion of Spirit, the Executioner. Rise now, Lord Aurek."

Aurek rose and joined Apollo facing the crowd.

"His miraculous gifts are a beacon of things to come. I present the Champion of Miracles, Omega. Rise now, Lord Admerion."

Admerion gracefully came to his feet and the people gazed upon him respectfully.

"Blessed by the pulse of the universe to wield its power, I present the Champion of Magic and leader of the Chosen, Warlock. Please rise, Prince Emrys."

Emrys joined his friends standing before the crowd and shared a brief look with the speaker. King Orien's blue eyes, eyes so like his own, were pride filled and they twinkled with happiness directed solely at his youngest son.

"These young men have endured rigorous training and have been deemed fit to take the mantle given to them by They Above All," announced King Orien. "Their training has been grave, their knowledge tested, and their abilities honed. They are the best of the best and our greatest light when all others go out. These four are now the defenders of the realm and protectors of all mankind, Atlantean and Human. People of Atlantis! Welcome the Chosen!"

The Valorescent was a silver jewel in the night, easily eclipsing its brethren warships that held in loose formation around it. It was all sleek lines, no less than six kilometers in length, meant to convey beauty and elegance, hiding its true nature as an unstoppable juggernaut. It was a sharp contrast to the next ship down the line, a Harbinger class heavy cruiser. It was only two and a half kilometers in length and far less imposing. In all, ten ships of various types were assembled in formation around the Valorescent for this particular operation.

There were few things in this galaxy that would warrant the presence of the Valorescenet, Atlantis's only Hyperion class heavy dreadnaught and King Orien's flagship.

Lemuria was a bright, sea-green orb that hung in space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The terraformed planet was the first and only planet made habitable by Atlanteans. It once represented the future. Right now it represented death.

King Orien's stood up from his command chair. "Open a com, wide spectrum." The communications officer nodded and pressed a sequence of buttons at his post. Now they were broadcasting across the entire electromagnetic spectrum and into open space. "This is King Orien of the city of Atlantis. You are hereby ordered to surrender claim of the world you now inhabit. It is the rightful province of the Atlantis people. You have killed our delegation previously that was sent for peace. The time for a peaceful settlement has now passed. Any resistance will be met with lethal force. You have two minutes. Orien, clear."

The channel closed with a chime. "That was effective, father," remarked Warlock, raising an eyebrow.

King Orien's only sighed. "I wish it did not have to be this way. But there is only one place it will head once it is through feasting on Lemuria, leaving it just a cold, barren wasteland."

"Earth," replied Executioner, grimly.

The other two Chosen nodded, agreeing. They had seen much in the years of active duty. While only sixteen years old, their experience in the field rivaled that of many military officers enlisted in the King's army.

Omega rubbed his temple, wincing in pain. "There are so many voices crying out. They are in pain. So much pain."

Warlock snapped around. "Father! There are still people down there alive. Our people! We must help them."

King Orien's shook his head sadly. "There is nothing we can do, my son. They are gone to us. Once the Elder Spawn has taken root here it spelled doom for this world. If we don't destroy it now then not just this world will fall, but Earth next, and many others after that."

Prince Emrys closed his eyes and when he opened them a burning determination filled his gaze. Father and Son looked at one other and there was a moment of understanding. He nodded his permission and slumped down in his command seat, watching as the four soldiers of the gods sprinted from the deck. May the grace of the heavens be with them.

The Chosen left the ship from the shuttle bay hanger, leaping through the force field that separated the cold vacuum and oxygen filled air of the hanger. Their bodies glowed each a different color as their divine powers protected them from space. And they descended on the planet like four falling stars. Fire burned around them as they entered the upper atmosphere, dropping with a speed no aircraft could hope to accomplish without crashing.

Lights appeared, growing clearer as they came closer, as they descended upon what was once the capital. The resounding boom did the opposite of normal reactions. All sound and actions of every creature stilled. There was total silence. They rose to their feet's and leapt from the sixty foot crater their landing had created.

Emrys didn't even recognize the world they stood upon. A black cloud hung in the sky that filtered the light into a drab gray. The buildings once pristine with their newness now appeared ancient and worn. Spires toppled over, the streets destroyed, and bodies and the smell of rotting corpses was everywhere. The smell clung to the air and it was thick with inhuman sex and pestilence.

The sound of screams filled with pain and despair drifted through the clouded air. It was the signal they needed. They bounded off after the source of the scream. What they found were creatures, skin sloshing off their bones, and yellow tinged eyes clouded with insanity. Their hair had long since fallen out as they itched at their scalp so it was now a raw, bleeding mess of flesh. These creatures were humanoid but familiar.

"These are the survivors?" asked Solaris quietly, horror and nausea lacing his voice.

They didn't have to answer. The answer was obvious that they were. The creatures looked up at the sound of his voice, discarding the carcass whose fleshy organs they were tearing into, dripping gore down their scaly chins.

The Chosen tore into their bodies with attacks of psionic and spirit energy, magic, and light. The creatures didn't stand a chance. Their bodies were not adapted to stand up against the ethereal powers granted to the Chosen.

There were no survivors left.

The remnants of Lemuria's people were nothing but maddened soldiers of the Elder Spawn that was devouring this planet. There was only choice. They had to kill the beast. It was their last testament and tribute to their brethren that had fallen here to death.

It didn't take them long to find the Elder Spawn. They just had to follow the smell of decay. The Elder Spawn rose up above them in a mass of green scales and numerous, flailing tentacles. It towered above higher then the spires around him and its body was vaguely humanoid but covered in huge, plated armor that obscured much of its features. The head was like that of a great squid and tentacles were in the place where its neck should be. It was a giant of destruction and where it's taloned, eagle like feet touched, the ground rotted and wilted beneath.

What transpired next wasn't a battle. It was an entity of oldest origins, from the deepest corners of space, having a play. The Elder Spawn brought them to their knees with a look. If they weren't Chosen the look would surely have brought a devastating madness and an instant twisting of their souls. It played and they fought the best they could, evading and attacking, but they weren't as powerful as their foe. It moved with a speed and grace that something that huge shouldn't have. There was not even a chance to pool their powers.

Desperate, Warlock looked at his friends who were strewn across the ruins of the capital city. He was the only one that could truly end this here and now. If this didn't get it then his father's fleet in orbit would surely finish it. Warlock snatched off the five pointed pendent that rested on the clasp of his cloak. He unsteadily got to his feet, raising the pendent high in the sky.

"This ends now!" shouted Warlock. "By the power of MAGIC!" A bright blue sphere formed around him. "GIGA ANNIHILATION PROGRAM!"

Prince Emrys stared at the readings before him. He tapped at the console and adjusted the sensor arrays. He couldn't believe it. This really had been all him. The others hadn't been helping. This devastation all rested on his conscious. A great wreath of asteroids now clustered in a ring between Mars and Jupiter. The exact spot Lemuria once occupied. People were already starting to call it the Asteroid Belt.

"Please stop blaming yourself for this," said Admerion, coming up behind me.

Prince Emrys chanced him a brief look. "It is hard not blame myself when it was me who fault this falls to."

Admerion came to his side and sighed. "We are all alive and that is the important thing."

"I have sealed the Giga Annihilation Program away," whispered Prince Emrys. "The spell is far too dangerous for me to ever use again. Stars, if I had mispronounced even one syllable-" He shuddered. Admerion didn't truly understand what that spell really was. No one, not even the highest spellcasters, realized what power he channeled. They didn't understand what he could have become. What could have become him. "I hate to think of the consequences."

A hand was laid on Emrys's own. Admerion smiled sweetly. "You have given me more time to win your heart, so I can not find any sadness in Lemuria's destruction and the Elder Spawn's downfall."

Prince Emrys looked at the hand holding his own. "Admerion release my hand or I will remove it and your arm."

Admerion smiled teasingly. "As you wish, princeling."

He put on an affronted look and glared at Admerion all the while trying to stop the racing of his heart that started when they touched. Emrys had responsibilities. Falling in love wasn't a priority now.

Prince Emrys's wore a set of flowing white robes, standing on a balcony that overlooked the glistening, silver city of Atlantis. It was full of tall spires and towers of white glass that reflected all light. On the horizon the ocean, blue and tranquil, went on as far as one could see. The moon was high in the sky and the stars were bright and shining in the black folds of space. The glowing jewel of the sea, people of Atlantis called the city. They were right.

Admerion laid a hand on Emrys's cheek turning that face to him. He was dressed in dark red robes, and a gentle smile was on his face that was only for the man before him.

"The others are worried for you, my love," whispered Adermion, caressing the cheek held in his palm.

Prince Emrys sighed, turning into the hand instinctively. "I know this, my heart. I just have a feeling that everything will all come to a final end soon. Whether it be for good or bad I do not know."

"Let us not think about that," replied Admerion, smiling.

Prince Emrys looked into his face and felt a wave of reassurance. If Admerion told him that everything would be alright then he believed him. After being together for four years, trusting Admerion was as easy as breathing. Emrys leaned in and they touched lips, pouring all their feelings into the kiss. Suddenly the ground beneath their feet rocked and there were screams. They fell to the floor of the balcony as the ground shook even harder. The screams were louder and they rose to their feet with great difficulty.

They looked and gasped at the sight. Demons, monsters, and creatures of every type, such as Vampires, Demons, Hydras, Pyrolisks, Cockatrices, Werewolves, Ogres, and Trolls all ran across the ocean as if it were solid ground. They streamed from a great rip in the air and pushed themselves into the city. Fires sprung up randomly and the entire city rocked as a detonation took down the medical tower. People ran into the streets screaming and it was pandemonium as monsters chased down their fleeing victims.

"This is impossible," said Admerion, horrified. "How did they get past the shield?"

Emrys shook my head. "The shield was down tonight for diagnostics. How did they even find us? Come on! We have to get out there and fight!"

They silently transformed and jumped over the balcony railing. They landed right in the middle of chaos. The invading forces were like an army of darkness. Wherever they walked destruction streamed in the wake. Warlock and Omega used their combine might to clear the street.

"Get to the Star Dancers!" Warlock shouted over the roar of noise. "You must escape Atlantis!"

As he was shouting this command, the sky flashed with color and small silver crafts flew into the air, activated their thrusts and disappeared in streaks of light. Swarms of ships followed this same pattern, as more and more Atlanteans piloted the Star Dancers away from the battle.

"Go!" ordered Omega to the people who had stopped to watch the scene.

They didn't need telling twice. They fled down the street to the nearest evacuation facility. Omega and Warlock fought their way up and down the street helping people to evacuation points and destroying as many of the invaders as they could. From the raining light beams that appeared in an adjoining quarter they knew Solaris and Executioner were doing their part as well to help.

"Oh, gods," Admerion whispered in dismay, pointing at the sky.

The entire fleet of starships that Atlantis had at her disposal rose into the sky. Lights flashed from the ships as their weapon systems came online and let loose a rain of fire down upon the ocean where the creatures streamed from.

Unexpectedly the sky lit up with an eerie green light. The light came from everywhere at once it carried with it a song. A song of terrible nightmares, whispers of dreadfulness, and the promise of hell. The clouds twisted and their was a great tearing noise as a great clawed hand, ten times the size of any ship, descended from the heavens and struck the warships. They watched in shock as the Atlantean ships exploded into nothing or was crippled so badly that they fell into the ocean. The clawed hand formed a twisted shape of a head. Its enormous glaring eyes flashed and rays of spiraling green light struck the city, throwing everyone about as buildings fell into flame.

"He Who Dwells Above In Mist," said Warlock, dismay and repulsion carried in his tone. "A Lord in Shadow."

Another explosion rocked the streets and they turned as a green ray cut the sky and struck the Imperium Tower. The center and tallest building of the city. Home to the royal family and the Chosen.

"No!" screamed Warlock, staring in anguished shock at the flaming building. "Father! Gaius!"

Omega grabbed him around the middle as he ran toward the exploding building. "Stop! Warlock! Emrys, stop! You cannot go back. They might have already gotten away to safety."

"They are gone. I felt it." Warlock shook his head, thick tears splashing down his cheeks, as he shook his head.

The ground quaked again and the floating platform on which the city Rested upon gave a mighty lurch. The stabilizers had been damaged. They were sinking. Omega closed his eyes and telepathically called out to Solaris. Seconds later, he plus the Executioner, and Nat'ahn all appeared in a burst of orange sparkles.

"Quick, grab me," snapped Solaris.

Warlock glared at him. "What! Leave our home? Never! We must stay and fight." Tears continued falling down his face. "Too many people have died here to just run away."

The Executioner shared a look with Solaris. Nat'ahn spoke up for them. "We must leave, Warlock. The city has fallen and soon it will sink beneath the sea. We will continue to fight but we have lost this battle."

Warlock reluctantly joined their side and Solaris's teleported them away as a tidal wave, cresting at over fifty feet impacted the city. It crushed the supporting infrastructure and drowned most of the invading army. The city lost its struggle of staying afloat and it slowly sunk beneath the waves. The laughing clouded beast above howled its joy and it vanished along with any remains of the once beautiful city.

Atlantis fell at night in blood and sorrow. Its peoples accomplishes went down beneath the waves and into the deepest myths of history.

For six months the army of the Lords in Shadow chased the last remnants of Atlantis. The Chosen protected the flock of less than 3,400 survivors the best they could. They kept the refugees on the move, never staying in one place for too long, otherwise as if given some signal the demonic force would descend upon them like hunters. With the constant threat of attack they also had to worry about dying from the freezing cold. The Lords in Shadow decided that they must be exterminated at all cost and they were throwing all their viciousness into that mission. They loosed a grand storm across the world that froze everything. It was a time of darkness and a bitter coldness that had no spring in sight. It was now the age of ice.

Warlock sought comfort from his friends and in the arms of his soul mate. The loss of his family was still strong, but bearable with them near. Naturally the burden of leadership fell onto him in this uncertain time. As last of the royal bloodline the people saw him as king and looked to him to guide their every action. It was just another title he had never wanted, but now wore with determination and grace.

"I think I have finished it," stated Emrys quietly, from the campfire he and the others clustered around on the white, icy ground.

The others looked up surprised that he had broken the unsteady silence. In his hand was the Videum Crystallus. It was his treasured keepsake that went with him everywhere these days. They knew why he didn't part with it. It went unspoken between them. If these were their last days he wanted people to know how they lived, fought, and died. Their legacy had to live on.

Nat'ahn looked up. "Are you certain?"

Emrys nodded. "I am sure. I have finished the spell. It is like an incomplete form of the Giga Annihilation Program. It works on a similar principle but the power requirements are different and its capacity is limited thusly."

"What does it do?" asked the Executioner.

A chilling smile appeared on his face. "Deal justice."

An awful scream rent the air and they looked up as a great rip appeared in the air a mile away from their position. They looked up just as a massive horde of raging creatures stomped from the portal.

"EVERYONE TO THE STAR DANCERS! FLEE! GET AWAY FAR FROM HERE!"

The people were ready for this. There was panic but an orderly alarm. They hurriedly boarded the nearest crafts and they each began to lift off and depart. Nat'ahn readied a sword and Emrys grabbed his arm.

"Go, Nat'ahn," urged the young King, quietly. "This is our time. We are going to finish this fight once and for all or our people will never be safe. Lead them, Nat'ahn. I-We wont survive this fight."

Nat'ahn looked at the four of them. They were closest thing to having children that he knew. He had trained them since they were eleven years old. Ten years later the adults before him stood ready, determined, boldly standing to accept their destiny. He nodded his head and didn't have any words to say. Goodbye just didn't seem enough.

They watched as their teacher boarded the last Star Dancer. Its thrusters pulsed brightly and it was off in a streak of light, off to some place far away. Their armor had appeared silently and it was like stepping into a cool breeze. This was their birthright. This was their true form, Chosen. When they willed away their armor that was the disguise. This was who they were always meant to be.

The clouds shifted into the twisted face from six months ago. Its dark red eyes glared at them from on high as the clouds around its face shifted into a massive pair of arms. The wind blew harshly causing them to stumble back. Behind the army the wind formed into a giant of a creature that remained formless yet carried the currents around an almost intangible shape of a giant. It had legs like a man but its arms were great whips of air that churned and stirred like the wind. Its body shifted like a gale appearing and disappearing as if this plane of existence wasn't enough to hold all that he was. The Sleeper of Nightmares had awakened. Appearing from the rift came a monstrous giant spider that had many legs stretching it taller than the mountains beside it. Its dozen eyes were yellow and seemed to look everywhere at once and they dripped a goo that sizzled and broke the earth when it dropped. The trio was complete. The Master of Silent Spins. They were all here. Nubas, Urero, and Aranneaia. The great court of the Lords in Shadow had convened.

The Executioner let out a silent sigh. "I do not think there is a chance we will make it out alive from his one."

Warlock nodded. "This is where we make our stand. Our last stand. It was a pleasure being with all of you these last ten years. I am a better person by knowing you."

Solaris let out a laugh that lacked its usual humor. "Oh, Emrys. Sentimental to the very end. I will miss you, my friend. I will miss all of you."

Omega gave Warlock's hand a quick squeeze and smiled sadly. "It has been fun these past ten years. I love you two like brothers and Emrys, king or not, you will always be my princeling. I love you."

"I love you too," replied Warlock. The army was almost upon them and the Lords in Shadow were right behind them. "We have to do this now. This is our only solid shot of taking them out."

The Executioner grinned, feral. "Let's do this."

Solaris mirrored it. "I hope this spell of yours work."

"It will," said Omega, speaking up for Emrys.

Warlock instructed them to gather in a formation around him. They joined hands and one by one their bodies gave of a luminescent light. A bright shining gold that formed a tangible shield around them. The demonic army came upon them like a flood. They hacked, slashed, clawed, and gnawed but their emerging powers acted like a powerful shield that stopped their attacks easily. The army was like a river and they were a rock that remained strong and unyielding in the current.

The air twisted and it became an oppressing weight that threatened to crush them. The Lords in Shadow were tired of sitting back. It was time to play. Their power rushed out carelessly, melting through their army, and killing the Earth as it poured forward. It beat against their shield and their very hearts were struck with a sudden grip of such awful coldness that it brought them to their knees, as everything that made them human was shown the true horrors of the shadows. Warlock took the power the others were pouring out and added it to his own power. The incantation for the spell he had designed for this sole use rattled off his lips easily. He became a shinning beacon of gold as the monstrous entities closed in on all sides. This was it. Warlock met Omega's eyes and sent a silent promise. They would meet again. The final incantation shook the air and rattled the Earth:

"JUSTICE APOCALYSPE!"

From the southern pole of the Earth a shining gold light erupted onward and covered the planet in a blanket of gold light. Creatures, demons, monsters, and entities that hungered darkness above all things, were plucked from the darkest corners and deepest holes. With screams of rage their molecules were ripped apart and banished into a pocket universe, a dimension cut off from this one, and all others. The Lords in Shadow contested their power against this prevailing radiance but it was too late to challenge the phenomenon. They were ripped apart like their demonic kin and they too were banished from this realm by a vast force. The light melted the ice into nothingness, bringing a thankful spring that immediately warmed the globe. The light sucked back in on itself, finishing the spell by sealing off the breach between the two realms.

The Chosen fell to the ground, dead. Every last bit of energy they had, even their life force, went into the avenging spell. Their bodies covered the now green field, still and unmoving. Each had look of peaceful bliss upon his face.

One by one their bodies pulsed and faded out of existence. The spell completed its last phase. It sent their bodies into the ether, shredding their physical forms, and storing their souls so that one day they would be reborn. The seal wouldn't hold forever. Nothing could last an eternity. When the seal failed they would be there, ready to again take on the fight against the darkness.

I blinked my eyes clearing my vision of the black dots.

"What the flying fuck was that?!" I yelled out in shock.

The operations room came into focus and I put a hand on my throbbing head. I looked down at the book that was now closed and then stared at the others. They were looking lost and confused. Just as I was. I felt like I had just climbed out of a powered washing machine.

"I need to sit down," muttered Killian, falling into a chair.

Adam grabbed me and held me tight. "Was that real? Did all that really happen?"

Did it? I looked at the book and then at him. "Y-yeah," I replied, shakily. "All of it was real. The Videum Crystallus recorded everything and stored it in its database."

"I'm having a real Marty McFly flashback," said Ryan, joining Killian in plopping down into a chair.

I nodded in total agreement. Who you telling? Adam rubbed the goosebumps that sprung up on my arms. God. That had felt so weird. Were we really there? No. I knew we hadn't left this room. It was merely recordings downloaded into our brains via the link we created when we touched the book. I closed my eyes. So those were our last days? I felt like such a wuss compared to Emrys. How could I even measure to that kind of bravery. I was a Hufflepuff more than a Gryffindor I would say. Although a badger was kind of lame if you ask me.

"Okay, I think I can see why we need to fear the Lords now," stated Killian, weakly. He ran a wobbly hand through his red blond hair, his face an ashen white that spoke of seen horrors.

The doors at that moment swished open. We looked up and immediately each of us tensed ready to attack whatever moved. Nathaniel stepped into the room garbed in casual business attire, looking GQ as usual. His dark hair was swept back and those piercing green eyes took us in. A flicker of alarm appeared as he measured us. I guess we still looked a sorry sight.

"What happened? You four look you've just seen a ghost?" asked Nathaniel, dropping his bag.

I chuckled. It was a small laugh but it was something. "You could say that." I smiled at him. "It's good to see you. Did everything go well?"

Nathaniel grinned. "Oh it went better than well."

He reached into his pocket and produced a sword. No. It was big as hell but it wasn't a sword. It was a dagger. Its blade was maybe four inches bigger than a usual dagger blade, however. The blade edge was a dark red and the rest was shining silver. It looked sharp as hell and deadly. There was something off about it. I couldn't put my finger on it. But this was no ordinary blade. I would bet my sister on it.

"What is that?" I asked.

Nathaniel held it up to the light. "This is called the Giant's Dagger. It was forged in the fires of the unholiest pit of Hell."

"Shadows Bane," whispered Ryan, a glint of recognition in his eye. "We all thought it was a myth."

Nathaniel nodded. "That we did. A secret sect has been protecting and hiding the Dagger for many eons for this one purpose. Only something made in the pits of Hell can unmake what was born in Hell. This is the weapon that will bring down even a Lord in Shadow."

I knew the words he spoke were true. The name of the blade had rung a set of bells in my head. I looked at the dagger and a fiery song of finality sang through my veins. It was like my soul had been waiting for some type of sign or signal. It now had it and I knew this was it. My back straightened and I walked so I stood in front of my friends. Purpose and a strong resolve were supporting me.

"It's time," I stated, strongly. "We have seen the past." They all nodded, grim faced. I continued on. "We can't let them sit back and plan our slaughter like they did our last lives. Too many people were lost. Many good people. We have sat back on the defensive too long. Monsters break free from the Ever After. We find and kill them. They muster up a first strike force. We destroyed them. They send an invasion and almost permanently freeze our planet. We stopped them. One of their kind even attacked me in my own home. I say no more." My voice grew confident and stronger with each word. At the same time I was getting angry. Angry at the crimes committed that they had yet to atone for. "I'm tired of standing back waiting."

Adam nodded, slowly. "Are you saying what I think you're saying, Love?"

"Yes," I replied, seeing my resolve reflected in his hazel eyes. "I am. It's time that we go on the offensive. I say we take the power away from them and make them go on the defensive for once. We have the Giant's Dagger and a way to kill them once and for all. I want to end this. Truly end this. They want an apocalypse. Then let's give them one. There is one thing on this planet stronger than evil. That's us. We were given these powers by the gods for a reason. Let's make them proud."

Nathaniel laid a hand on my shoulder and smiled. "Well said, your highness."

I looked at the others. Ryan and Killian looked to be in total agreement as they solemnly nodded their support and agreement. Adam's eyes shined with pride and love. I let out a breath of relief. They had my back. I knew I had made the right decision. It was payback time. I looked at the dagger and knew that it would do as legend foretold. It could kill anything from Hell. Ready or not here we come, you bastards. Its time to settle up.

Somewhere in the world a clock struck twelve.

Happy New Year.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • It wasn't always fun times in Atlantis! I liked writing those flashbacks. It was different. I hope you guys are ready for the last ride. 2 more chapters to go, folks. NEXT CHAPTER: The boys bring the war to the Ever After and to the Lords in Shadow.

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