Chapter 14 - Battle

I awoke to Stevie-Rae shaking me. "It's 5pm, Zoey. You should wake up."

My body stiffened and I rose quickly. Kalona wasn't here yet – I knew that.. but it was only a short time before he was. "Get everyone!" I almost screamed. Stevie-Rae jumped, but nodded and ran out. "Meet me in the Dark Daughters room" I called after her, rising to my feet. I was still wearing that dress

I watched as a woman walked into the room. I had never been so happy to see her in my life.

"Grandma!" I squealed, hurling myself into her arms. "Made a full recovery, I see!"

She smiled and nodded. "Yes child, I am alive and well."

I just wanted to sit and talk to my grandma all day, but I couldn't – I had to prepare everyone for the fight. It was going to be a nasty battle – I knew that. "Grandma.. I have to go.. I.."

"I know, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya" Grandma smiled warmly. "I'll be here."

I nodded, kissing her on the cheek, then running to the room I'd been in so often during my time at the House of Night – the room of the Dark Daughters. Being the leader of the Dark Daughters, I had permission to use it whenever I wished.

I dug out some candles and lavender, all I'd need to cast my circle. As Stevie-Rae walked in followed by Erik, Damien, Jack, Aphrodite and Stark I nodded. "Stevie-Rae, Damien.. I need to cast a circle."

They both nodded, standing in their usual places. I turned to everyone else.

"When Stevie-Rae died, Nyx gave her power to Aphrodite. Aphrodite, I want you to stand in Shaunee's place." I closed my eyes, thinking about water.. Erin had lost the power, because I could feel it in this very room. "Stark.. stand in the last spot."

Stark looked surprised, but obeyed.

I walked into the middle, handing candles out to everyone.

Walking to the east, I lit Damien's candle. "I call air to this circle.. please carry us through these difficult times." I felt air brush against my cheek gently. Damien and I grinned at each other, then I moved on to Aphrodite, walking south. "I call on you, fire, to keep us warm and safe." My body felt warmer, I looked at Aphrodite.. she looked overjoyed.

"I felt it." She whispered.

I grinned, moving on to Stark. "Water, please help us cleanse these lands of evil, and clear our path along the way." I felt as if I was dipping my feet in a pool on a cool day. Stark looked confused, staring down at his feet, then he, too grinned.

I nodded, moving onto Stevie-Rae. "Earth, I call on you to be our strength and keep us grounded"

Instantly I could smell fresh grass, and feel it on my feet. Stevie-Rae giggled as the grass tickled her. I walked into the middle, lighting my own candle.

"Spirit, please guide us and lead us to victory." I felt as if I was soaring above the room. Once I'd landed, I breathed heavily.

"He's in the grounds." Aya whispered to me.

I nodded at my friends. "Let's go. Be strong."

We marched like an army through the empty school until we reached the door that led to the grounds. I paused, turning to my friends. "He's there."

They nodded, so I turned back and led them outside to Kalona. He grinned at us. "I've been waiting here for a long time."

"Stay in the circle." I yelled to them, as Stark nearly ran for Kalona. "He's stronger than us without our power."

"Aya.. please come back to me.." Kalona stared into my eyes. I no longer felt drawn to him. That connection had been broken. All I had was good and light inside of me. The real Aya. Created by my ancestors.

Kalona started to walk towards us. I summoned air to push him back, but he just laughed and kept walking. "Sweet Aya, you have no idea how powerful I am. If you don't want me, I'll just take you."

No sooner than he had said it, an arrow flew to hit Kalona in the chest. He scowled and batted it away. "I'll deal with you next, Archer!" He was staring at Stark. "Or will I make you watch?" He grinned at me as I shook my head, calling on fire to engulf him. He went up in flames, but they went away quickly. The circle wasn't strong enough.

"That only works on the weak, Aya." Kalona grinned. "Come to me my love... you don't need to fight me, you will be safe."

I called upon the water to slow down his steps. He stared at me in disbelief. "I will still reach you, my love, even if it is more difficult."

I shook my head, summoning my last element. "You're going back where you belong."

I watched as the earth swallowed him, dragging him underneath. I quickly called on spirit, to lift the life that was left out of him as his body was dragged under. The earth settled itself again, as I collapsed, barely uttering "the circle is now complete."

A/N: For the record, fight scenes are my weakness – so sorry if the battle wasn't as good as expected. Just one more chapter then the story is over. It's just an epilogue, though, so it will be short.