Chapter 17: Sacrifice and Rebirth
812words
"You cannot stop this," Kira/Erebus sneered, black energy swirling around her, "the seal is weakened, I am about to be free."
"It won't happen," I said firmly, despite feeling Erebus's power strengthening, "tonight, you will be sealed forever."
Kira/Erebus laughed, "With what? Your little tricks? Your friends? Look at them, they can barely hold on."
I glanced at the battlefield. Derek was wounded but still fighting; Scott and his pack were exhausted; Ethan was locked in combat with Aiden, brother against brother. My heart tightened.
"It's time to end this," Kira/Erebus raised her hand, black energy forming a vortex, "your blood will be the key to my freedom."
A black lightning bolt shot toward me. I instinctively raised the dagger, silver energy forming a barrier, but the impact still knocked me down. I felt a sharp pain in my chest, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth.
"Valerie!" Derek and Ethan shouted simultaneously, trying to reach me but blocked by enemies.
I struggled to stand, feeling the energy within me weakening. I knew I couldn't hold on much longer.
"Deaton," I called through the walkie-talkie, my voice weak, "is the ritual ready?"
"One more minute," Deaton's voice was tense, "but we need more power. You must channel everyone's energy."
I understood what this meant. I had to become the conduit, gathering all supernatural beings' power to form a seal strong enough. But doing so might drain my own life force.
"I understand," I answered calmly.
Kira/Erebus attacked again, more violently this time. I barely defended myself, being pushed back several steps. My vision began to blur, but I gritted my teeth, holding on.
Just then, a voice whispered in my ear—my mother's voice.
"Remember who you are, Valerie. You are not just the Shadow Heart, you are the guardian of balance."
I closed my eyes, feeling the energy within me. Instead of trying to control it, I became part of it. Silver light poured from within me, surrounding me, growing brighter.
"Everyone, come to me!" I shouted, my voice carrying undeniable authority.
Derek was the first to break through the enemy lines, running to my side, his eyes full of worry and determination. "Whatever you're going to do, I'm with you."
Ethan followed closely, "Me too."
Scott and his pack, Victoria and her hunters, even Chris Argent, all gathered around me, forming a protective circle.
"I need your power," I said, "everyone, extend your hands."
When everyone extended their hands, I began channeling their energy. The red light of Alpha werewolves, the gold of Betas, the silver of hunters, all energy flowed to me, gathering in the Shadow Blade.
Kira/Erebus sensed the danger, letting out an angry roar, "No!"
Black energy surged toward us like a tsunami. I raised the dagger, meeting the attack. The two forces collided in the air, creating a deafening explosion.
"Now, Deaton!" I shouted, my voice almost drowned by the sound of energy collision.
Deaton activated the ritual, the runes on the ground beginning to glow. I felt a powerful pull, knowing it was time.
"I'm sorry," I said softly to Derek and Ethan, then plunged the dagger into my palm.
My blood dripped onto the stump, merging with the runes. A silver light pillar shot from the stump toward the sky, piercing the Blood Moon.
"No!" Erebus's voice was full of fear, "I won't go back!"
"You have no choice," I said, directing all energy toward the light pillar.
Black smoke was pulled from Kira's body, sucked into the ground. Kira collapsed, weak but alive.
As the last wisp of black smoke disappeared, the light pillar grew brighter, almost unbearable to look at. I felt my life force draining away, but I held on, until the seal was complete.
Finally, the light faded, a new rune appearing on the ground, flashing silver, then slowly merging into the soil.
"It's over," Deaton said, "the seal has been strengthened, this time permanently."
I felt a wave of dizziness, my abilities almost depleted. My vision began to blur, my legs no longer able to support my weight.
"Valerie!" I heard Derek's shout, felt his arms catching my falling body.
"You did it," he said softly, his eyes full of pride and fear, "hold on, the ambulance is coming."
Ethan knelt on my other side, holding my hand, "Don't leave us, Val. Hold on."
I wanted to respond, but my consciousness was rapidly fading. The last image was Derek and Ethan's worried faces, and Scott's blurry figure running toward me.
Then, everything went dark.
