Chapter 191: Power And Burden

Chapter 191: Power And Burden
Brenda’s POV

My flesh was scorched by the Moonstone's silvery radiance. I could sense it taking everything away from me, including my thoughts, breath, and power. My knees grew weaker each time the light flashed stronger.

"Stop, Brenda!" The roar of magic was broken by Damian's voice. He attempted to shove me, but I was able to keep the barrier of light in place. "This cannot continue!"

"I... must," I gasped. My voice was odd, resonating at the same time like my own and an older voice, from the Moon itself. "Everything ends if I stop."

Silver flames flashed around me, making my body tremble. Like molten silver, my veins sparkled. My own energy was raging like a storm.

"Listen to me, Brenda!" Damian struck the barrier with his fists. Fear was wild in his eyes. "You're killing yourself!"

Tears stung my eyes, but I forced a smile. My voice cracked as I said quietly, "You told me to trust you." "I need your trust now."

Underfoot, the ground shook. As my black magic met with the enemy's, cracks appeared all across the subterranean floor. The light burned the shadows, and they wailed, yet more came, like night's never-ending waves.

"Brenda!" Damian's yell suddenly sounded frantic. "What will happen to us if you die? To the group?

I clenched my jaw and exerted more force. "All of us will perish if I stop!"

Above us, the Moonstone glowed like a second moon as it floated higher. At my sides, my arms went limp. I was no longer able to sense them. Even though the magic was killing me, I was unable to let it go.

"Give me strength, moon above," I said, my lips quivering.

It was painful to watch the silver flames blaze so brightly. Behind Damian, wolves knelt and covered their eyes. Their voices were weak and tremulous when I heard them:

"She's... radiant."
"She appears to be the daughter of the Moon."

I didn't feel like the Moon's daughter. I felt like a candle that was about to go out since it was blazing at both ends.

"Brenda..." Damian's tone faltered. "Please."

Before the agony engulfed me, I gave him one final look. I said, "I'm doing this for you."

Then a dazzling blast of silver light erupted from the Moonstone.

Everyone was thrown back by the force. I struck the ground with force, my eyes racing. Like vapour, my body felt weightless. The only sound I could make out was the slowing of my own heartbeat.

"Brenda!" Once more, Damian's voice. I was lifted by strong arms. My head landed on his chest.

"Damian." I tasted blood when I coughed. "Is it working?"

He raised his eyes to the Moonstone, which was even more brilliant than before. The shadows of the enemy were burning away, shrieking as they shrank.

His voice trembled as he continued, "It's working." "You succeeded. However... Stay with me, Brenda.

I gave a feeble smile. "With you, always."

Then everything turned dark.

The world was burning when I woke up.

Silver fire, not actual fire. The final shadows were forced into corners as it scorched over the cavern walls. I forced myself to open my eyes even though my body felt like lead.

In front of me, surrounded by wolves—our wolves—was Damian. Their fur was matted, and they were covered in blood, but they continued to battle. Dark beings with blade-like claws were the last of the enemy.

"Damian!" My voice was no more than a whisper as I croaked.

His face lit up with relief as he turned. "Brenda! Remain down!

Whispering, "No," I made myself sit up. I ignored the pain that shouted through me. Above, the Moonstone drifted, its light throbbing like my heartbeat. When I grabbed for it, its strength responded and filled me once more.

Not as wild and blazing as before, but constant. Managed.

"Brenda..." When Damian saw me standing there with silver fire snaking around my hands, his voice grew softer.

The icy, ruthless voice of the enemy leader whispered, "You cannot kill what was born from darkness."

"We don't have to," I stated, now speaking steadily. "We simply must put an end to you."

The Moonstone's light burst throughout the cavern as I hoisted it aloft. The shapes of the shadows tore apart like smoke in the wind as they shouted. In triumph, wolves let forth a howl as the darkness receded.

The battle was far from done, though. With its claws pointed at Damian's heart, the leader lunged.

"Damian!" I let out a yell.

His blade caught the blow as he turned just in time. He was knocked to his knees by the impact, yet he roared back. "Not today!"

Steel and black magic collided, sending silver sparks soaring. Even though Damian's breath was laboured and his muscles strained, he continued.

With fire burning in my hands, I sprinted to his side. We hit together. My silver flames encircled the gloom, and his blade cut through its centre. With a screech, the creature's form began to unravel until it was reduced to vapour.

There was silence. Just silence for a single breath.

The cavern then trembled, and a voice that was deeper than the others rolled across the atmosphere:

"The war has just begun, but the battle is over."

Below us, the earth splintered open. In my hands, the Moonstone grew dimmer. As darkness covered the brightness once more, my knees gave way.

Damian grabbed me and held on to me. "Remain with me, Brenda."

"I'm making an effort," I said. "But what does that mean, Damian?"

The subterranean walls shattered before he could respond, and a massive object started to emerge from the depths.

The real adversary.

The one we didn't anticipate.