Chapter 89 Heavenly Battle
Amara’s POV
The battleground appeared to disappear. For a moment, I was trembling in terror as Lilith swept across the hallowed grounds, standing behind Rowan and Kian. Next, I was encircled by a flawless circle of silver moonlight that exploded from the sky.
The outside world grew dimmer, vanishing into darkness. Only the circle glowed, and Lilith and I were inside it.
She smiled slowly and wickedly, her red eyes burning. “So, the moon finally dares to pit her last child against me.”
I tightened my throat and swallowed hard. "Lilith, this is over tonight."
With a mocking tone in her speech, she cocked her head. "You think my darkness can be matched by your little light?" With shadows slithering about her like snakes, she opened her arms. "I was born before the existence of your line. You are a weak girl, that's all.
I made my legs stop shaking by clenching my hands. "Perhaps I am weak. However, I possess something that you will never have.
Her smile wavered. "And what is that?"
"I hope." I meant it, but my voice broke. "Love." An excuse to fight.
Lilith's scathing laugh reverberated across the circle. “Love makes you weak. Because of this, you will fail.
Like a black inferno, her shadow rushed at me. I threw up my hands out of instinct. From my hands, moonlight blazed, striking her darkness. With sparks flying everywhere, the circle trembled.
The strength was so intense that I felt like it might rip me to pieces. I tightened my jaw. Wait, Amara. Wait a moment.
Sharp and insulting, her voice broke through the conflict. "Observe your battle. Already, your body is shaking. You can't keep this up.
My knees gave way. I felt myself slipping backwards over the bright floor as the darkness came closer.
"No!" More light rushed through my veins as I yelled. "You won't prevail!"
She burst out laughing. “Then break yourself, child. Burn yourself to ash. You will die sooner if you fight me more.
Sweat poured over my face as I gasped. Fire was in every breath. I still wouldn't fall, though.
I heard Rowan's frantic voice somewhere outside the circle. "Amara! Fight! We support you!
Kian's harsh, ferocious voice came next. "Remain persistent! You're more powerful than she is!
Their remarks were like lifelines to me. My flame flared stronger, and my heart thumped. My voice rose with strength as I pressed harder against Lilith's shadows.
"I'm fighting this. I made this decision. And I'm not going to fall!
Both of us were thrown backwards as the circle burst with dark flame and blinding brightness. Lilith stumbled, her eyes flaming with rage, her smile gone.
She snarled and stepped closer once more, saying, "Little moon, you will regret this." "You can't prevail."
I lifted my chin and said, "Watch me try," despite my body trembling.
Around me, the moonlight glistened like water. Suddenly, I was not alone.
Soft voices, as peaceful as wind through trees, filled the air in whispers. In the silver glimmer, shapes emerged: women with gentle, powerful faces in flowing robes.
I let out a gasp. "Who are you?"
A ghost moved in closer, her eyes whitened. "Amara, we are the ones who arrived before you. The Moon's Priestesses. This responsibility was once on us, and it is now on you.
My eyes hurt with tears. "I'm not sure if I can pull it off. She is too powerful. She is—
Despite being composed of light, the spirit's hand was warm when it touched my shoulder. Power is not the only source of strength. It's a heartfelt thing. Have faith in yourself. Have faith in your inner connection.
Another said, “Remember your love. Recall your pledge to keep your pack safe.
"We are with you," said another voice. Always.
I was surrounded by whispers that made me feel warm. I didn't feel alone for the first time since entering the circle.
Lilith's eyes narrowed as she growled. "Sorry, ghosts. Are they able to save you?
The ghosts remained unflinching. The moonlight in the circle brightened as they raised their arms, enveloping me like armour.
I grew more confident as my fear subsided. With a firm voice, I stated, "They're not saving me." "They serve as a reminder of who I am."
As I lifted my hands once more, the shadows hissed and flinched away. Light pulsed more intensely, pouring into me from all the spirits surrounding me.
Lilith's voice fell to a hiss of death. "You believe that you will be protected from death by their whispers?"
She lunged before I could respond. Her power roared like a storm as her claws cut through the light. She moved more quickly than I could breathe, so I tried to push her away.
Her hand suddenly closed around my throat.
My light wavered. I gasped. Her hold tightened like iron, and my feet rose off the floor.
Her red eyes were blazing with fury, and her face was inches from mine.
Her voice was poisonous as she shouted, "Enough of this." Little priestess, die. Let me die and be free!
The moonlight around me started to break as her hold tightened.