Chapter 10: End of Ouroboros

I stared at him in horror while I kept a tight grip on my sister's cold hand. "What have you done to Nya?" I demanded.

His purple eyes bored into mine. "I didn't do anything. She was the one who found me."

What was the Overlord talking about? I shook his words out of my head. I remembered how he had played on all of our fears the last year. The villain couldn't be trusted.

I couldn't stop myself from asking, "What do you mean?"

The Overlord rolled his shoulders, revealing a small pair of purple wings. I cringed.

"The poor girl was exploring the school when she found me. I needed a host, since I couldn't come back fully…yet…" he explained.

His words were puzzling. He must be lying. "I don't believe you. My sister would never do that."

"Not intentionally, of course. She touched the dark matter that held my spirit. From there, it was easy to possess her body. I had her open Ouroboros with the fang blades and release the Great Devourer. She was the one who attacked the other students."

I shook my head again. "Nya would never hurt anyone."

"I controlled the snake through her. Same thing really."

I couldn't imagine the Overlord in Nya's body. But it did explain her withdrawal and that weird statement she made in the dining hall.

"My sister said that 'he' wouldn't let her spend time with us. Was that you?"

The Overlord nodded. "I'll admit she was strong. There were a couple times she managed to shake off my control. However, she never managed to get rid of me completely." He stretched out his black arms and flexed his white claws experimentally. "Now she's giving me life. I grow stronger as she grows weaker. She just clinging on to life, but soon, she'll die and I will come completely back to life." He laughed manically.

Anger surged in my chest. How could he just use my sister like that? I gave her hand a squeeze and let go.

"You monster!" I screamed as I charged the Overlord. He dodged in one silky movement. I spun around and glared at him.

Rage coursed through my veins. I raised my hands in front of me. I took a deep breath and shot a long stream of red flames at the Overlord. He spread his wings and jumped toward the ceiling. I followed him until he landed. I spread my hands apart to widen the tunnel of flames. It wouldn't be as hot, but I would catch him for sure.

A wall of green met my flames. I didn't have time to be shocked. I kept shooting flames until I ran out of juice. When the flames cleared, I saw that the scales of the Great Devourer were already fading back to an army green. I hadn't done any damage at all.

The snake reared its head and flared its hood at me. My heart sunk to my stomach.

"Tsk tsk tsk," the Overlord scolded. "It's dangerous to play with fire. You could have burned your sister."

I clenched my fists. He didn't have the right to talk about Nya's safety! In the back of mind though, I told myself that I would have to be more careful. I planned my next attack, but before I could, the snake struck down at lightning speed.

I jumped to the side, right as the Great Devourer tore up a massive chunk of the floor. Rocks and water sprayed everywhere. I panted heavily. I could have died. My powers were useless against it, so what could I do? I tried to think of what Master Wu said would beat the serpent. Golden Power? Whatever that meant.

The snake lifted its gigantic body and prepared for another strike. I couldn't attack, so I did the only thing I could. I ran. I flew down the stone steps, pushing harder and harder, heading for the cover of a nearby corridor. I could feel the snake's eyes on me. It charged. I wasn't going to make it. I dove to the side.

I rolled across the ground. Every stone pounded my soft flesh. My limbs felt like lead, and I had only dodged twice. I lay on the ground, hoping that maybe the snake would leave me alone if I didn't move. Maybe I could buy sometime until Cole and Jay got here. Maybe. I was supposed to be saving my sister, not getting beat up by the Great Devourer. I managed to pull myself into a sitting position, but I was too tired to dodge another attack from the snake. I closed my eyes.

"I'm sorry Nya," I whispered to the ground. I could really use some help right now.

A shrill shriek pierced the air. A falcon, much like the one I saw on my first visit to the mountain, swooped through the air. I couldn't believe it. Right as I asked for help, the falcon, with the sorting hat in its claws, came to rescue me. I guess Wu was right! Help will always be given to those who ask for it!

The bird dropped the hat in my lap and flew over to the Great Devourer. It dove in front of the snake's face and scraped at its eyes. I smiled. Now, while it was distracted, was the time to strike. I wondered what the hat was for. I remembered it spoke in my head when I put on my first year, so maybe it could give me some advice?

I pulled it on my head eagerly, only for something hard to hit my skull. I took off the hat quickly.

"Ow!" I complained as I rubbed my head. I looked down at my lap. A sword made of gold clattered on the ground next to me. It glowed in the darkness, and when I picked it up, flames flared around the blade. Awesome! Was this what Wu meant by golden power? Only one way to find out.

I forced myself to stand up and cast my attention on the snake. The falcon squawked. Its battle didn't seem to be going so well. The Great Devourer had switched tactics and was now trying to swallow the bird while keeping out of its range.

I looked back at the Overlord. He seemed less like a person and more like a black beast with horns, teeth, claws, and full-fledged wings. I got the feeling I was running out of time to save Nya.

I had to finish the Great Devourer off and then quickly stop the Overlord. I gripped the sword with two hands and got ready to charge, when two figures came out of the corridor.

"That tunnel was way too long!" Jay complained. "How did that falcon get here so quickly?"

I smiled. It seems Cole finally cleared all those rocks. They looked tired, but little worse for wear. Perfect.

"Guys!" I called to them. "Get the Overlord! It's the only way to save Nya!"

They nodded.

"I won't let you!" The Overlord/dragon thing screamed. The Great Devourer turned from the falcon and prepared to strike my friends.

"Nooo!" I yelled. With strength I didn't know I had, I jumped in front of Cole and Jay. I pushed them clear and then leap out of the way. Once again, the snake only struck the ground. The others looked back at me over its massive head to make sure I was okay.

"Go!" I shouted at them. "I'll handle the snake!"

Jay looked at me doubtfully, but Cole tugged his sleeve and together they charged the Overlord. The serpent lifted its head off the ground.

"Oh no you don't," I muttered to myself.

I summoned the last of my energy and ran up to the Great Devourer. I took care to avoid its fangs and jumped on its head. The Snake reared and tried to throw me off. I tried to cling to its scales, but couldn't get a grip. Panic flooded me. I pictured myself flying at top speed into the wall and crashing back to the floor.

In an act of desperation, I pushed my sword down in its forehead. The snake screamed and hissed violently. It jerked around for a few more horrible seconds where the only thing keeping me on the snake was my sword, then at last, the Great Devourer fell to the ground and was no more.

I yanked out the sword and ran over to help Cole and Jay. The two of them weren't actually doing too badly. The Overlord seemed to be trapped in an awkward transition phase and didn't have access to his full power. They were driving him back with a series of spells and bolts of lightning. I brandished my sword and joined the fray.

I didn't do much. I was already tired from my battle with the Great Devourer and could hardly stand. It was Cole who knocked the Overlord on the ground and Jay who stunned him. I then stabbed the villain with the golden sword. Thankfully, it had the same kind of effect as it did on the snake.

With a raging scream of 'NOOOOOOOOOOoooooo!' the Overlord dissolved in a blinding flash of light. I breathed a sigh of relief. What a powerful sword!

Once he was gone, I heard a gasp behind me. I recognized that voice anywhere. I moved as fast as I could to my sister's side.

Her color returned and she was sitting up slowly. I cradled her in my arms.

Nya melted into my chest. "Kai, I'm so, so sorry." My sister hid her face from me. "He made me. I didn't mean to…I didn't want to—"

"It's alright, Nya." I pulled her closer to me. "It's okay now. He's gone." I tried to send my sister love through my embrace, to say what words couldn't. I don't know how long we sat together like that. I held her until she pulled herself together.

Nya wiped her nose on her sleeve. "Let's get out of here," she said.

I nodded and helped her stand up. I turned to the others. Cole was staring at the wall and Jay was fidgeting with his scarf awkwardly. He seemed to be debating with himself.

"Come on," I called.

We walked together, Cole in front, Nya and I in the middle, and Jay in the rear. The falcon had left after the Great Devourer had been defeated. We passed the pile of stones and came to the base of the slide.

"How are we going to get up there?" Nya asked.

Cole cracked his knuckles. "I got this."

I looked at my friend. "Are you sure? You've been using your powers a lot lately."

Cole didn't look back at me. "I can make us some stairs. No problem."

If he was sure, then I wouldn't stop him. Jay took the opportunity to approach my sister.

"Hey, um, are you okay?" He asked. His fingers never left his scarf.

Nya gave him a weak smile. "As okay as a girl can be after being possessed by the Overlord."

Jay shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Oh, well, I'm glad you're back, I mean, I–"

I tried to save him. "He was worried about you the whole time."

Nya looked at me and then back at Jay. This time her smile was genuine. "Thanks, but I'm alright. Really."

Jay smiled back. Cole finished his stairs and we began the assent back. I put my hand on Nya's shoulder as if I wasn't holding her, she would disappear again. We left the bathroom and found ourselves staring at a beautiful sunset.

It had been a really long day. We would have to tell the teachers about this and Master Wu…he would have to be reinstated back as headmaster, now that the Great Devourer had been stopped. But all that could wait. The four of us were tired, covered in grime, and been on rollercoaster ride of emotions.

I let the others into the Fire Dormitory, even though it was normally against the rules, I really didn't care right now. None of us felt like walking anymore. Jay curled up in an armchair, while Cole took up an entire couch that normally held four people comfortably. I lay on a plush rug near the fire. The heat felt good on my sore limbs. I closed my eyes. I could just drift away… Cold skin touched mine.

My eyes snapped open. Nya was lying next to me.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked.

"Of course," I said automatically. My sister used to come into my room if she had a nightmare. It had been years, but I had always left my door cracked, just in case. I let Nya snuggle until she got comfortable, and then I shifted a bit, but not too much. I didn't want to disturb her.

I didn't dream that night. I took it as a sign. We were safe at last.

AN: Yes! The Overlord is gone...or is he? You'll have to read more to find out. I will be wrapping up this book in the next chapter…but stay tuned as this will continue in Book Three…thanks for your support and reviews!