See disclaimer on my Author's Page. I am lazy and proud of it!!

Okay folks, we're getting to the nitty-gritty of it so hold onto your seats!!

Chapter 21

Bella POV

As soon as I touched the ground, I was caught. I knew who it was without opening my eyes, I would know his embrace anywhere.

But it was unneeded, I had already recovered, adrenaline pumping through my useless veins. During my fall, my control over the monster had slipped for a second. This caused me to discover a whole new energy source, hidden away inside me. After sending Edward a lingering look, with an unspoken message of love and trust I was up and surveying both sides. I was surprised to see that the fighting hadn't begun. Petricia was scowling and glaring at the wolves, which were snarling. Aro was focused on Carlisle, still signing. He evidently hadn't realized there was a hitch in their plan.

"Aro" she hissed.

At his name he turned and saw the wolves, Petricia and, after turning back, saw my smile put it all together. A wry smile appeared.

"I see, Isabella. That's cheating" His smile turned into a snarl as he lunged at Carlisle, who was prepared for Aro.

As soon as Aro leapt, the rest of the Volturi followed suit. We paired off, sparing individually before chaos made its debut in the form of the wolves. After "poofing" one newborn I realized they hadn't moved, so I encouraged them to do so and they responded enthusiastically.

"Poofing" is something I discovered once while I was hunting. The object I focused on just disappeared, it was just gone. They never left any trace, nothing. It was a handy skill; one I just realized how useful it actually is.

The wolves tore into the Volturi, doing as they were designed to. While the Cullen's and myself were outnumbered we had the skills the Volturi had not taught their newborns. Slowly but surely all that was left in the clearing was the higher order Volturi members. Throughout the skirmish the mental onslaughts had not ceased. While everyone stilled and watched each other, I swayed on my feet. My eyes searched for Edward and once I found him the relief was overpowering. The only indication that he had been battling an unknown number of foes was a slight tear in his shirt.

"I see you wish to forgo the surrender part." Aro smiled; there wasn't a scratch on him.

Carlisle smiled in response "there was never a thought of surrender Aro, you know that."

"To true, Carlisle. Still, a man can hope." With that he began signing once more with his hands.

Hundreds of newborns seemed to appear from nowhere around us. Without any provocation they attacked. This was my definition of hell, blood everywhere, death, destruction, fighting, fear and desperation. The supply of enemies was seemingly endless, one struck down only to have another three appear in its place. I could feel my control slipping, not that I minded overly as I was still firmly in control.

That was until I was Edward knocked down. It was bad enough that he had insisted on leaving my side but to see him fall, well it was too much for me. She came out with a vengeance, killing a wide circle around us without even lifting a finger. We walked through the battlefield, saving each of our family members, slowly making our way to the middle. We both knew what was to come; we knew there were two more waves to come. We knew our family wouldn't have a chance. We knew we had to save them, all off them. We knew how, we were prepared to do it. Even though there was no guarantee we would wake up this time, it had to be done.

As our eyes took in the fights, the death and the imminent defeat we raised our arms. Everything seemed to shimmer, warp and flow as our eyes closed. Our fingers spread, then fisted, causing many of the weaker Volturi to fall to their knees screaming. Their pain was our pain, but we never waivered. As they died, so did their screams before our fingers closed once more. This time, they tried to defend themselves. We had managed to ensnare the gifted vampires this time. Their pain and attacks washed over us in waves, with the only indication of the torture being a single flinch. We would not scream, we would not give them the satisfaction. We kept it in, silently screaming. Soon we had the head's of the Volturi in our grasp. They felt different, powerful and old. They fought bitterly, they fought well but they were no match. Only Aro remained standing, tall and proud as he died. This did not please us, we wanted him to suffer. Our eyes opened and focused, a slight smile playing on our lips as he began to scream. His screams seemed to continue after his death. Then we realized we were the ones screaming, the pain was all consuming. But we did not fall, we had not finished yet. There was still danger, we still had to protect. Our eyes closed once more as our mind searched the forest, tearing down all that remained. Each death was a knife to our gut, our mind. Soon there were no foes, only us and our collected pain. Each death, everyone's pain was our death and pain. Finally, we fell. Our eyes didn't open again, wouldn't open again, no matter who wished it wasn't so. One thought came through the haze clearly, Edward. Our reluctant eyes were forced open and there he was, safe and sound. Only missing a finger. The relief provided a temporary break from the pain but our eyes wouldn't stay open. They sank closed once more, our heart breaking. We were slowly fading, we had accepted that. We listened intently to Jasper as he counted his troops. Three wolves had been sacrificed, and all Cullen's had been wounded somehow. We had failed, they were hurt, another knife in the gut.

"Bella. You will open your eyes, my love" Edward wouldn't give up, he was commanding us to fight.

We couldn't, we were empty now.

"Bella, I will have to follow you, did you realize that in this stupid self-sacrificing business?" He was calm, stroking our cheek.

No, we wouldn't let that happen. Our eyes were forced open once more as we gazed at him. His face was so serious and controlled.

"Bella, you will stay, do you understand?" he insisted.

Our lips parted "Edward" we breathed, thoroughly exasperated.

"Yes?"

"No." was all we could force out.

"You will have no say, Isabella." He simply said.

The black expanse stretched before and we knew we didn't have long.

There was no she and I anymore, we were one and we were slipping. The place that drew us in was black and empty. Still we struggled, still we fought. We knew Edward meant what he said, we had to stop him.

"Edward, you can't." our voice was different from before, more hypnotic and toneless.

"Who are you to say." Edwards voice was rough, angry.

We met his gaze, silently begging him. His eyes did the same.

"'Please, don't give up. You can't leave me. Don't make beg." He whispered.

He would get over it, he would move on. He would survive at the very least. This was my comfort as we slowly gave up, losing the feeling in certain limbs while other burned. This torture continued as Edward sat beside us for hours. He went against his word and often stooped to begging.

My eyes flew open, all my nerves felt as if they had been shocked. A part of me felt empty, a bit was missing from my chest. Edward was grasping my face, staring at me hopefully. It finally dawned on me that she was gone. My companion, whom I had carried with me for many months, was missing. The angry, uncontrollable monster inside me had relinquished her control and allowed me to live. I smiled sadly at Edwards worried face. It would be okay, everything would be okay. Well, it would be after I slept, and then everything would be perfect. I was eternally grateful to her, she loved Edward too and gave her existence up for me. But such are the burdens that come with everyday life, such are the burdens that affect us for the rest of our lives, such are the burdens that shape us.

Souls, conscious and hearts can be seen as inclusive or exclusive, depending on your personal view. My view is that you can't have one without the others they each depend on each other to provide significance. It the same with words, when singly they mean nothing but once connected they can mean everything. Even three insignificant words, meaning nothing, having no depth nor meaning but once together they create so much emotion that the feelings could go on forever.

"I love you." He whispered, looking deep into my eyes, now tinged with gold.

"I love you too." I returned, overwhelmed by everything.

My savior, my personal heaven, my very own home would last forever. This will go on, fueled only by these feelings. This was enough, would always be enough for now and forever.

Fin

Okay, I would like to thank all those who have bothered to keep reading even though I have been a terrible author, with infrequent updates and a very short finish. I however think it is a fitting ending and gives closure. I have learnt many things while writing Twilight Of My Life, including that if I am ever to post another multi chapter story I should write all of it before posting any of it!

Special shout-out to Zanessahsmfan2009, amenokyoku, LanaeEclipsed, BubbiGurl23, x-Eme-x, pricel as well as all the others out there who have reviewed time after time and stuck with this story. Thanks so much, for everything. Love you al!!