Chapter 11

Darkness Falls

Ever since he had first seen them in action, Sparrow had always thought that the Guardians were a very strong fighting team. They had excellent teamwork, their powers were extraordinary, and they used them with exceptional skill. He considered them among the finest warriors he had ever seen. But it wasn't until now that he truly realized just how strong these girls were.

With Will back, the Guardians launched into their offensive. This time however, it was much more organized then it had been before. There was no random shooting, but a decisive plan of action. First, Cornelia shattered the Corruptions' formation with an earthquake attack. This slowed the Corruptions' assault, buying the girls some much needed time and space. Next, Hay Lin and Irma used combined attacks to both keep the Corruption disoriented, and forced them into a larger group. Finally, Will and Taranee hit the Corruption with a devastating barrage of both lighting and fire. When it was all over, the Spire was mostly clear of enemies, although it was clear that it would not be long before that was no longer the case.

"Good to have you back, Will." Hay Lin said.

"Good to be back." Will replied.

"Yes, Will, I must say, you're quite impressive with your team." Came a voice from behind.

Sparrow and the Girls spun to see Jack standing at the edge of the Spire. He also showed signs of battle, as his armor was cracked in many places.

"Looks like they followed you out Will." Irma said. "Don't worry, we'll put him back in."

"No!" Will said. "Jack was imprisoned there too. He was doing their bidding against his will. He helped me escape, so we could fight the Corruption!"

"Yes, let me know how that goes." Jack said.

"What?" Will said. "You're not staying to fight?"

"No." Jack replied. "You served your purpose, and now my two enemies will fight each other to the death. Whoever wins will be so weakened that they will be in no shape to stop the Shadow Court. If it means anything, I'm cheering for you."

And with that, he leapt off the Spire and into the night. Will rushed to the edge, but saw nothing.

"So Jack betrayed you." Cornelia said. "Is anyone surprised?"

"No." Will said. "But he helped me start this fight. Now its up to us to finish it."

Without hesitation, a new horde of shadow's leapt through the portal and the fight began once more. With Will now participating, the group of six was doing much better then they had before. However, for every shadow they destroyed, two more took its place. It was clear that sheer numbers would soon overwhelm them.

"Any ideas?" Irma asked.

"We need to find a way to stop them from coming through, and quickly." Will said. "That giant that I took down? He wasn't alone. There were a lot of big things coming towards us, and I don't think we want to stay and meet them."

"Will, I assume that you opened the portal." Sparrow said. "Does that also mean that you can close it?"

"I think so." Will said. "It would be like closing portals when Phobos was in power. Except on a massive scale. It would take some time, but I could do it."

"Time we don't have." Hay Lin said, weaving in and out of shadows. "Anybody have any ideas on how to stop these shadows from coming through long enough for Will to do her thing?"

"I have a theory." Sparrow said between shots. "But I can't test it without your assistance."

"Set them up and we'll knock them down." Irma replied, blasting a few more shadows.

"Very well." Sparrow replied. "Our enemies only known weakness is light. We can use that to our advantage."

"Agreed." Will said. "I saw that in the void. They were more scared of the light coming from the Heart then any of my other attacks."

"So what's the plan?" Cornelia asked.

"Well, with Will's Heart, and Taranee's fire, we now have enough light to use as a weapon. If we focus it." Sparrow said, firing more rounds into the swarm of shadows.

"Right." Taranee said. "Will and I can't generate enough light to stop the shadows completely, unless we find some way of focusing the light on the portal."

"Well how do we do that?" Irma asked.

"That is where I need your assistance." Sparrow said.

"Taranee?" Will asked. "This is your department. Any ideas?"

Taranee thought about it for a moment.

"I don't know. Maybe? I… I don't think that's even possible."

"I would advise that you say any plan you are thinking." Sparrow said, now resorting to his sword to fight off the shadows. "We are quickly running out of time."

"Alright then." Taranee said. "I need everyone to keep the shadows off my back for the next few minutes. Except for you Cornelia. I need you."

"Sure." Irma said, turning to the portal. "Just keep them off your back. No problem."

"Hay Lin!" Sparrow said. "Stay high! Let us know if any slip pass us, and try to keep them off-balance with your air. Irma, widen your attacks. We just need to keep them distracted, we don't need kills on every shot. Will, just keep firing."

"Who died and made him king?" Irma muttered under his breath.

"I don't know, but he's doing a pretty good job." Hay Lin said.

While Sparrow was giving orders to Will, Irma and Hay Lin, Taranee was doing the same to Cornelia.

"Cornelia I need a wall of sand." Taranee said. "Big as you can make."

"You've got it." Cornelia said.

Although she didn't quite see the point of a giant wall of sand, Cornelia was too tired to argue, and did as she was told. Soon the wall was created, and Cornelia was struggling to maintain its shape.

"Alright, now what?" Cornelia said.

"Now, you need to curve it." Taranee replied. "Make it convex, so it bulges in the middle."

"What?" Cornelia asked.

"Just make it fatter in the middle then at the top or bottom." Taranee explained.

Cornelia did as Taranee said to the best of her ability. Taranee kept giving suggestions to Cornelia, telling her to adjust various parts until the structure was to her liking. The process was very slow.

"Hey, you want to hurry it up over there?" Will asked.

Sparrow's strategies had worked well and the shadow creatures were being held back for the moment.

"Almost done." Taranee said. "Cornelia, just hold that shape."

"Alright, but…?"

Before Cornelia could finish, Taranee started her part of the plan. Carefully, making sure to maintain the shape of the structure, she got her hand to the hottest temperature she could, and started to heat the sand. She did this at such a high temperature that the sand began to turn into glass.

"Oh, I get it!" Cornelia said. "Just like you did with sandpit, after he swallowed Caleb."

"Exactly." Taranee said. "Now stay back! I'm at almost 2000˚C here! It doesn't affect me, obviously, but it can melt the flesh off your bones if you get too close."

Cornelia did as she was told. Taranee was taking her time melting the sand. The glass had to be as transparent as possible for her plan to work, and she couldn't even look at what she was doing, due to how bright her hands had gotten.

The battle had taken its toll on the others. Sparrow, Will, Irma and Hay Lin were all exhausted. They each felt as if they were fighting under water, and simply clearing a couple of shadow creatures away from Taranee and Cornelia took a lot of effort.

"Taranee, we can't hold out much longer!" Will said.

"Just a few more minutes." Taranee called back, still focusing on her work.

"Then that is what we shall give you." Sparrow said, turning back to the portal.

"Last stand?" Hay Lin asked.

"Let's make it a good one." Will replied.

Taranee tried to ignore the plight of her teammates. Every part of her wanted to turn and help her friends, but she knew that their best chance of survival was the sand in front of her, so she got back to work. After what seemed to everyone like an eternity, Taranee finished her work.

"Done!" she said. "Will, I need you!"

"Got it." Will replied. "Cornelia?"

"On my way!" Cornelia replied, taking her friends place on the front line.

Will arrived next to Taranee and gazed up at the structure in front of her. It was an awe inspiring sight, especially considering the conditions under which it was built. Taranee had transformed the sand completely into glass, forming a convex lens aimed directly at the portal.

"Whatever you're planning, do it now!" Sparrow said, fighting back the next wave of creatures.

"Will, we need to create as much light as we can, and direct it at that lens." Taranee said. "You from the Heart, and me from my flames. As soon as the portal clears, shut it down."

"Okay." Will said hesitantly, "But what…?"

"You'll see." Taranee said. "Everyone, shield your eyes!"

Will lit up the Heart and Taranee grew bright with heat. They shone their light together, aiming it as much as they could towards the lens and the portal. Alone, the glow was too spread out to do much more then irritate the shadows. However, when the light hit the lens, it was reflected directly towards the portal, eradicating any and all shadows in its path.

"Just like roasting ants with a magnifying glass." Irma said, still shielding her eyes.

"Exactly like that, actually." Taranee said. "It's the same principle, just on a bigger scale."

"Is the portal clear?" Will asked.

"Yes." Sparrow replied, taking a quick look. "Now Will! Close the portal! Banish these creatures from my world!"

Will leapt away from her position and aimed the Heart at the portal. Without the Heart, the attack had grown weaker, and the shadows were beginning to re-group. Will tried to ignore that and focus on the task at hand. Just like closing a portal on Earth, she thought, only bigger. She pushed what energy she had left into the Heart, and slowly, it began to close.

"She's not going to make it." Sparrow said, lifting his gun, "The portal is too big."

"Haven't you learned anything yet?" Irma said with a smile. "She always makes it."

Will dug deep inside herself, and found the last bit of energy she needed to close the portal. With a satisfying hiss, the gateway to Albion was closed, and the Corruption was left stranded in the void once again. Will dropped to her knees once she knew she was safe.

"Will?" Hay Lin said, landing next to her friend. "Are you okay?"

Will smiled and gave a thumbs-up.

"The portal," Sparrow said, "it is closed for good?"

"Yes." Taranee said.

Will nodded, still unable to speak. She had used almost all of her strength to close the portal, and was now completely exhausted.

"So Albion is safe once more." Sparrow said, holstering his gun. "I thank you Guardi…"

Sparrow was interrupted by a cough from Will. The group turned to see Will shaking her head vigorously. She looked like she was trying to say something, but no words were coming.

"Will?" Cornelia asked. "Just rest for a moment. We've won, we're finished now."

Will, however, just kept shaking her head.

"No… Not finished." Will said slowly. "Albion not… safe."

"What? Why? The Corruption is gone." Irma said.

"Not the Corruption." Sparrow said, beginning to realize what Will was saying. "Something else.

Will took a deep breath and looked up at Sparrow, and said one word.

"Jack."