The greatest offering

The greatest offering

Melissa’s POV

There was anarchy on the battlefield. Everything in their path was devoured by the shadows that slithered across the earth. The sky was now a whirling pit of blackness.

Grasping the shimmering relic tightly, I could feel its warmth pulsing in time with my beating. I understood what needed to be done; the truth had become ingrained in my chest.

The Void inside my light needed to be sealed.

I glanced at Damon, my fingers shaking. I uttered, hardly raising my voice above a whisper, "I know how to stop it."

Damon scowled. "What are you talking about, Melissa?"

I inhaled deeply. "I must cage the Void inside of me to put an end to this. I can control it if I unite with my light. However, I will not be able to return.

His gaze grew gloomy. "No. Not at all.

I took a step toward him and touched his chest. "I can do this, Damon. I must complete this task.

With a solid yet desperate grip, he took hold of my shoulders. "You're not giving up anything. I will not allow you to.

My eyes hurt with tears. "Everyone will perish if I don't. Everything will be lost, including you, the pack, and this world.

Eldric came over, his expression glum. If you do this, Melissa, you will be changing the balance of light and darkness in addition to giving up your life. Changes like that could have unanticipated repercussions.

"I understand," I muttered. "But there's nothing else to do."

Damon gave a headshake. "No. I don't think so. We'll figure something other out.

I touched his cheek as I reached up. "I adore you, Damon. And for that reason, I must do this.

He tightened his jaw. After that, I'll figure out how to save you. I promise.

Below us, the ground shook. The battleground reverberated with the Void's laughter.

"I won't lose you," Damon muttered as his hold on me grew tighter. But I felt in my heart that this was the only option.

As the Void's warriors charged forward and terrorizingly quickly attacked the pack's lair, the ground trembled.

Running side by side, Damon and I struck the beasts with quick, lethal blows. The darkness was pushed back by each of my light bursts and his sword swings, but it wasn't enough.

Slithering through the air was the voice of the Void. "Little flame, you are squandering your strength. I shall never be contained by you.

I chose to ignore it and concentrate on the energy coursing through me. As its warmth blended with my strength, the relic in my hands began to glow brighter.

"Melissa," Damon called in a frantic tone. "Something is going on!"

I glanced down. The artifact's light flickered between deep crimson and gold, pulsing furiously. Inside it, my energy and the darkness of the Void clashed, making it unstable.

With a pallid face, Eldric hurried to join me. "Your strength is blending with it, but it's too much. If it breaks—

The air was split by a harsh crack before he could finish. The artifact had a tiny crack running across its surface.

I flew backward as a surge of energy burst forth.

We staggered, but Damon reached me in time and steadied me. “What’s going on, Melissa?”

The laughing of the Void reverberated. "Child, you're not strong enough. That artifact will break, and so will your light.

I tightened my grip on the relic and gritted my teeth. "I refuse to allow that to occur."

My hand was covered by Damon's. "After that, we battle together."

The energy of the artifact spiraled out of control as it cracked once more. It would destroy everything, including me, if I couldn't control it quickly.

My body felt waves of force as the artifact's energy pulsed violently. I struggled to control it as my hands shook, but the darkness inside resisted.

I tightened my jaw. "Just a bit more, please."

Damon was standing next to me with his sword up. "It's getting worse, Melissa!"

The creatures of the Void surrounded us, their dark shapes creeping across the battlefield. Despite the valiant efforts of our troops, the darkness continued to grow.

From afar, Eldric said, "You have to summon the Celestial Flame! The Void can only be sealed in this manner!

I tried to call forth the golden fire inside of me by closing my eyes, but something stopped me—a darkness that was hiding in my soul.

The voice of the Void crept into my head. "You believe that you are pure? Like me, you are stained. My strength will never be contained by you.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest and gasped. My light wavered.

Damon caught me by the shoulders. "Look at me, Melissa!" He fixed his blue eyes on mine. "You're more resilient than this. Don't allow it to rule you.

I wanted to think he was real. But there was a hint of skepticism. What if I didn't succeed? What if I disappoint everyone?

The Void grabbed the opportunity. My legs were encircled by shadow tentacles that pulled me downward.

I was let free when Damon cut through them. “You must fight, Melissa!”

"I'm making an effort!" The darkness tightened its hold on me as I choked.

In my hands, the relic buzzed frantically before shattering.

I was knocked back by the energy shockwave that blasted from it. The sky grew darker yet.

The laughing of the Void reverberated. "What a dumb girl. You've failed.

With blurred vision, I fell to the ground. The shadows hung over me, poised to attack.

With its tendrils aimed at me, the Void rushed forward. I was going to be consumed by it now that I had lost control.

The air shattered with Damon's howl. He hurled himself in front of me, using his energy to deflect the Void's attack.

"No!" I let out a yell. "Stop, Damon!"

The blackness encircled him, and his body shook. His vitality wavered.

I pushed myself to stand. "Give him up!"

The Void laughed. "Little flame, you cannot put an end to this. You have lost your power. You have a weak light.

Damon's look was angry as he slightly moved his head. "Listen to me, Melissa." He spoke in a tight but resolute tone. "We can stop this if we combine our powers."

I gasped. "What? No, Damon, that is too risky!

He made a move for my hand. "I have faith in you. But we must work together to accomplish this.

"Melissa, his soul is powerful enough to counterbalance yours!" Eldric yelled. You may be able to control the Void if you merge, but you won't be the same person again!

My heart was racing. I had already come to terms with my fate. Damon, however, was prepared to divulge it.

My eyes welled up with tears. "If we do this, Damon."

He clenched his fingers around mine. "Then, together, we put an end to this."

The warriors swarmed around us, directing their energy toward us. A dazzling storm of power was created when light and darkness swirled together.

The Void screamed. "My power is too strong for two souls to handle!"

I didn't listen, though.

I let the ligh

t take over after I closed my eyes.

A strong force surged around us as our spirits started to unite. Then—it all turned white.