Chapter 139: The Final Sacrifice

Chapter 139: The Final Sacrifice
Chapter 139: The Final Sacrifice

Melissa’s POV

The silence reigned. The entire globe seemed to be holding its breath.

The last gate had started to open, and I stood on the bluff above the valley. Red lightning raced across the sky, and dark clouds swirled overhead. Shadows slithered like snakes, and the ground below shattered. I sensed the dark, powerful pull emanating from that gate.

I gripped my chest tightly.

The inner light within me flickered. Feeble. Hardly hanging on.

That meant something to me. I was aware of my obligations.

I didn't want to, though.

Not quite yet.

I still had a lot to lose, so no.

"This is not what I want," I said. My voice was captured by the wind and taken away like a secret.

With each heartbeat, the scar the dark god left on my wrist grew more intense. Like a shadow whispering in the dark, his voice reverberated quietly in the recesses of my memory.

"Little queen, you are mine."

"No," I said more loudly. "You're not the winner."

I turned and took a step back from the edge. Behind me, leaning against a pillar of broken stone, was Kane. He was still hurt. His confrontation with Darius had left him pallid and wobbly. He didn't grumble, though. He didn't request a break. He merely observed me.

He whispered, "You've figured something out."

I gave a nod.

"I must relinquish it. The strength. My brightness.

Kane's look expanded. "What? No, Melissa. There has to be another way.”

"There isn't." I trembled when I spoke. "He's abusing my authority. Twisting it. He won't be able to keep the gate open if I give it up. He will be unable to remain.

Then, we'll stop him in another way. You don't need to ruin yourself.

I turned my head away. I was unable to look him in the eye. "I'm not ruining myself." The world is being saved by me.

With a slight limp, Kane pushed off the pillar and approached me. He touched my shoulder with his hand.

"You've put forth a lot of effort to get here. You've made it through everything. Don't give up just yet.

"I'm not going to give up," I said. “I’m choosing to finish this.”

“And I’m choosing to fight with you,” he continued.

"This isn't your burden, Kane."

He gave a bitter little laugh. Indeed, it is. Once I decided to keep you safe, it was mine. This is how I knew it would end. You gave up everything, and I just watched.

My eyes welled up with tears. "You have accomplished more than enough."

It's insufficient. If it means losing you, then no.

He put both of my hands against his chest. I could sense the actual, steady, and powerful beat of his heart.

Melissa, you are everything to me. Please don't ask me to watch you disappear.

I wanted to cry and collapse in his arms. For a brief time, I wanted to put this conflict behind me. However, the ground rocked once more as the wind changed.

The last gate was widening.

We had run out of time.

A loud crack tore through the heavens. I turned and gasped.

The final gate was now completely open. It was enormous, towering enough to engulf mountains. I saw nothing but blackness inside. It was cool and alive, moving like smoke. And the evil deity came out of it.

He wasn't the same as before. He was larger. More powerful. Like coals on fire, his eyes flashed red.

He smiled.

His voice rocked the air as he said, "My bride." "You returned."

To protect me, Kane moved ahead of me.

"You don't own her," he snarled.

The dark god chuckled. "You believe you can thwart destiny, boy? It was inevitable that this would occur. I own her.

I stepped out from behind Kane and said, "No." Even though my legs trembled, I maintained my composure. "You have no say in who I am. You didn't.

The black god tilted his head. Come prove it, then. Let me have your power, or else the world will collapse.

The sky grew dimmer. Above, a storm whirled, and purple streaks of lightning flashed. At my feet, the ground shattered.

I sensed that my inner light was going out.

I was aware of my obligations.

For the final time, I looked at Kane. "I apologise."

He took hold of my arm and said, "No." "Please don't."

"I mumble, I love you."

“I love you, too. I'm not letting you leave because of this.

But I eased myself free.

I moved in the direction of the gate.

With pleasure, the black god observed me.

I wasn't giving him anything, though.

I was about to destroy it all.

I raised my hands. My light came alive, pure and blinding.

He snarled. "What are you up to?"

"I'm going to end this," I declared.

And I turned to look him in the face as the power rushed through me. My entire body was shaking. My brain cried out for me to stop. But I continued.

From behind me, Kane yelled. "MELISSA!"

The wind screamed. The gate resisted me as it started to close. Like a flame in the wind, the brightness within me dwindled.

I didn't stop, though.

I wouldn't give up.

That was the end.

The black god stretched out, shouting in rage. “You fool! You will perish!

I inhaled deeply. I spoke quietly.

"Tonight is the last day."

I then moved into the light.