Chapter 107: The power of the heavens

Melissa’s POV

As we entered the chamber, the air was dense and heavy with an energy that hummed on my skin. An old blade, set into a column of light that extended to the vaulted ceiling, gleamed brilliantly in the centre. The pulse of its luminosity matched the beat of my heart.

Damon said in a scarcely audible whisper, "There it is." "The weapon of heaven."

I took a step forward, staring at the blade. It was beautiful, engraved with luminous runes that shimmered and seemed to change. It emanated power, but it also emitted something else, something sinister.

A person emerged from the light before I could touch it. With glistening silver eyes and a flowing robe that appeared to be composed of starlight, it was ethereal, nearly human but not quite.

The spirit said, "Stop," its voice echoed in my head instead of my ears. This blade is a curse as well as a weapon. To wield it is to completely lose oneself.

My fingertips were just inches from the light when I froze. "What are you saying? With a trembling voice, I asked.

The ghost looked directly into my eyes. Pure divine energy is used to make the blade. Your light will be amplified, but you will be consumed in the process. You will become nothing more than the weapon's vessel and cease to exist as you are.

My heart was racing as I stumbled back. "There must be an alternative. We cannot allow everything to be destroyed by the Void!"

Unable to decipher its expression, the ghost cocked its head. "Child of light, you have a choice. But be aware that there is no going back once the sword is drawn.

Damon moved forward and touched my shoulder. "Don't listen to it, Melissa. We'll figure something other out. We usually do.

With tears in my eyes, I shook my head. "Damon, there's no time. The Void is on its way. Everyone will perish if we don't put an end to it right away.

A roar reverberated around the room as the ground shook severely, seemingly at the same moment. Dark tendrils started to spread like an infection through the wall gaps as the temperature dropped.

"You can't get away from me! With a voice that was a terrifying blend of rage and victory, the Void roared.

My eyes darted between the sword and the approaching darkness as I held Damon's hand tightly. My heart was a battleground of willpower and terror.

"What should I do? More to myself than to everyone else, I muttered.

With his blue eyes flashing with defiance, Damon turned me to face him. Melissa, you're not alone in this. Under whatever circumstances, we will fight together.

But I knew the truth in my heart. I had to endure this weight. The celestial weapon was my only hope of conquering the Void, and the light within me held the key.

The cold, inky darkness of the Void's tendrils tainted the chamber's light as they drew closer. Our hope was vanishing along with time.

The blackness of the Void surged forward, shrieking, "Your light will be mine!" as the chamber rocked fiercely."

"Melissa, please refrain! Damon yelled in a frantic tone. His hands clamped down on my shoulders as he dragged me away from the bright sword.

I shook my head, tears running down my cheeks. "Damon, there is nothing we can do! This blade is the only item that can stop the Void from bursting through!"

His jaw was clenched as he gazed at me. "There must be an alternative. As usual, we will battle it together. I can't let you go.

His words caused a glimmer of warmth to sprout in my chest, but the guardian spirit's voice soon smothered it.

It stepped forward and declared, "Only a bond of pure love can awaken the blade's true power." It looked from one of us to the other. "It won't shine with the strength required to defeat the Void until then."

Startled, I blinked. "What is meant by that?"

The face of the soul softened. It implies that the outcome of this conflict will be determined by your relationship your love. The blade's power will remain dormant without it.

Damon turned to face me, his eyes wide with something more profound than terror. "Elissa..."

The unspoken, heavy words hovered between us. The pandemonium surrounding us briefly subsided as I gazed into his eyes, my heart racing.

Suddenly, despite his hands shaking, he said, "I love you," in a calm voice. "Even though I didn't deserve it, I've loved you since the day you stood up to me. And without letting you know that, I can't allow you to sacrifice yourself.

As his words set in, my eyes became blurry with tears. I put my hand on his cheek as I reached up. "I also adore you, Damon. I always have.

For a few seconds, everything seemed to stop. As if in response to our comments, the blade's brightness brightened and the spirit's gaze softened.

However, the calm was short-lived. The tendrils of the Void pierced the room and encircled Damon and me like frozen bonds. I let out a cry as my strength was sapped by the ice seeping into my flesh.

"You can't get away from me! The darkness of the Void pressed down on us as it shouted.

Damon locked his gaze on mine as he fought the tendrils. "You must use the blade, Melissa! Now do it!"

Despite the confusion, the guardian spirit spoke calmly as it moved on. The power of the blade has been awakened by your relationship. But be advised that there is no going back once you accept it.

The tendrils tightened around me as I grabbed for the blade, my heart pounding. The only thing holding me rooted was Damon's voice.

“I have faith in you, Melissa. We'll deal with whatever comes up collectively.

I clutched the blade's hilt, feeling its warmth rush through me like a blast of unadulterated energy. The Void's voice boomed louder, but the tendrils retreated a little.

The Void roared in fury as the blade's light flashed, saying, "You will never defeat me!"

In my hands, the sword felt alive, its energy rushing through me in waves of cold and burning heat. My touch caused the bright runes to dance like flames. With a guttural roar, the Void's hideous tentacles flinched back for a minute before rushing forward once again.

"Hey, Melissa! As the ground shook under us, Damon yelled and braced himself. "What's going on?"

With my hands shaking and my grasp tightening on the hilt, I clenched my teeth and whispered, "It's… reacting to my light." Every nerve in my body felt the pressure of the tremendous force.

The chamber shook as the Void's voice bellowed. "You believe that I can be stopped by a light-forged sword alone? You are merely a glimmering glimmer in the void!"

With each step, the blade glowed brighter as I moved ahead. Before they could reach me, the weapon's brightness burned away the tendrils of the Void.

"Remain back! I yelled, my voice resonating with an unfamiliar authority. A flash of light burst and the weapon pulsed in my hands, pushing the Void farther away.

With a resolute yet pale face, Damon hurried to join me. "It is working, Melissa! You're causing it pain!"

However, the toll the blade had on me increased along with its intensity. As the weapon depleted my power, my knees gave way and I struggled for breath. Before I could fall, Damon grabbed me and supported me with his arms.

His voice was tight with concern as he replied, "You can't keep this up." "It's killing you."

I forced myself to stand up and answered, "I have to." "Everything we have battled for will be lost if I give up now."

Once more, the Void raged, its shape changing and twisting. It was surrounded by dark energy, and as it grew, it loomed over us.

"Are you willing to challenge me? It growled, trembling the air with its sound. Then confront my actual strength!"

Before our sight, the Void changed, its tendrils combining to form a huge, hideous shape. The brightness of the celestial weapon dimmed as its shadow swept over the chamber and its eyes blazed like twin suns.

Damon tightened his hold on my arm. "We can't battle it alone, Melissa!"

I pushed myself to stand and said, "We have no choice." As though mirroring my diminishing vigour, the sword blazed once more, but its brightness flickered.

With a deep, bone-chilling laugh, the Void laughed. "You are feeble, light-bearer. I'm going to own this world!"

The Void's darkness filled the room as it lifted a huge claw. "Get ready to be eaten! As it impacted, the ground shattered beneath us, and it bellowed.

As a result of the shockwaves caused by the Void's strike, Damon and I had to dive in different directions. Debris fell from the ceiling, and the ground fractured and shattered.

"Hey, Melissa! Over the confusion, Damon's voice could hardly be heard as he called.

"I'm all right! I yelled back, gripping the sword firmly. Every breath was difficult, and my arms felt like lead, but I had to keep going now.

With vile eyes, the Void's hideous figure towered over us. "You can't avoid your destiny! It shouted, attacking once more.

I lifted the blade, and the Void's assault was deflected by a shield of light that burst about me. I staggered backwards from the power of the contact, but I was able to maintain my balance.

Damon moved quickly and accurately as he darted in my direction. "We must collaborate! We are unable to remove it independently.

I nodded while gasping for air and feeling my chest heave. "I'll wait. You manage to make it weaker!"

And abandon you? No way! With a snap, Damon grabbed a piece of falling stone and threw it at the Void. It broke innocuously against its black shape, but it allowed me time to gather myself.

A rush of energy swept through me as the sword ignited in my hands once more. "We must divert its attention! I said as I moved ahead. "Don't lose sight of me!"

Despite his hesitation, Damon tightened his jaw and nodded. "Melissa, exercise caution."

I kept my attention on the blade and didn't respond. I knew I didn't have much time left, and it seemed like it was pulling from the very centre of me.

The room reverberated with the Void's laughing. "Little one, your light is fading. You will soon be reduced to dust.

I raised the blade high and murmured, "We'll see about that." It burst into light, blinding the Void for a minute.

Damon took advantage of the situation and quickly circled the chamber's perimeter. He picked up a piece of glowing crystal off the ground and threw it at the centre of the Void.

The crystal hit, causing a crack in its dark shape, and the Void roared. "You dare! It roared, directing its wrath toward Damon.

"Now, Melissa! As he dodged the Void's blows, Damon yelled.

I gathered all my strength and directed it toward the sword. The surrounding shadows were burned away as the light grew brighter. However, the energy was overwhelming; I could feel it ripping through me and threatening to take over my entire being.

Even if the Void flinched, it was insufficient. Its shape changed once more, becoming bigger, and it might be overwhelming.

The sword slipped out of my hand as I staggered. I was seized by Damon, who again steadied me with his arms. Please stay with me, Melissa!"

I blurred my vision and mumbled, "I… I can't." The light from the blade dimmed, and the room was filled with the Void's laughing.

A mystery voice, faint but dema

nding, reverberated around the chamber just as the Void was about to deliver the ultimate blow. "Arise, light-bearer. Your adventure is far from ending.