Note: Alas we are cutting down to the wire. A few more chapters and I'll be done. But, thanks guys soooo much for taking the time to read the story. I didn't write this for the reviews. I just wanted an answer and felt like I should share it. But, I'm really glad that you guys have stuck by and read the whole story and that you like it. I know it's LONG lol.

And sorry about the wait. I've been working on my own book. I'm attempting to get a literary agent as well, but the ones I have written to haven't written back so I might just end up self publishing a book or something.

Oh, and I was thinking when I'm done with this story I'll do another with OCs, but I don't know. What do you guys think?

Sara's Memory:

"Lynnette, I need you to wake up." Drakon whispered in her ear caressing her thigh.

"Mmm, no." she replied.

"Lynn, wake up and see what I see."

Lynnette opened her sleepy eyes to look at her loving husband, soulmate, and king. She'd spent ten years on the Oracle's Island and was so glad to be back here with him. Three months wasn't enough for her. She still craved him.

"I see a gorgeous blonde man, with the darkest eyes I've ever seen." She said lovingly, smiling up at him.

He chuckled, "No, my little angel. Look down."

Lynnette looked down at her stomach and smiled rubbing the bump.

"He's in there." She replied smiling.

"Yes, he is." Drakon agreed kissing her stomach.

"And Egris's wife just gave birth to their second child."

"Your fifth grandchild." He replied amused.

Lynnette smiled happily. Life was going exactly as she hoped.

"I love you." She whispered.

"I love you, too." He answered, nuzzling her neck.

A big bang jolted them from their musing.

"YOU'RE MAJESTIES! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" their advisor screamed.

They moved instantly, rising from their bed.

"It's my father." She whispered.

"We'll deal with this, Lynnette."

Mary-Lynnette caught Iliana as she collapsed. They'd been at this for hours and only she and Delos were capable of recovering so easily. But, now even the two of them were breathing heavily.

"Sara, we can't do this anymore today." Jez called.

"You need to learn how to use the blue flame together. Or this will not work." Sara replied.

"Are you sure it is supposed to turn into a kaleidoscope of colors when we have combined them properly?" Delos asked.

"Yes. It's combination of the four of you. We're done for today. But, we must talk."

They all looked at each other and nodded walking toward the meeting room. They took their seats beside their soulmates as Sara and Thierry discussed. They could all see how tense and upset Thierry and Sara were. Thierry looked up at them gravely.

"Sara, tell them." He ordered.

"The witches and I have been looking through scrolls to find anything we can about the Wild Powers, as you all know. And we've found one that may disturb you all."

"What is it?" Maggie asked.

Sara pulled out a scroll and began to read:

The animal runs,

The Power too strong.

Sacrifice must be done.

Shifter no more

One with the dust.

Greater good or greater evil.

One death be must.

Everyone sat silently looking at each other. Did this mean what they all thought it meant?

"We have to kill a shifter to use the Wild Powers correctly and win?" Jez asked incredulously.

"When the time comes to use your gifts, yes, you must sacrifice a shifter to complete the task." Sara stated looking at them all levelly.

"How are we going to do that?!" Gillian asked.

"It shall be done." Delos said determinedly, "Even if it is me who must do it."

"It must be the four of you. At the same time you must spill the blood of a shifter."

"I don't think I could do that." Iliana said quietly face going white.

"Iliana, you are the witch child. You have a piece of our great mother within you. If she can sacrifice someone so can you."

There's nothing else we can do?" Maggie asked.

"No, there's nothing else to be done. This is how the prophecies play out."

"How do we decide who gets sacrificed?! We can't just ask someone to allow us to kill them!" Thea cried out obviously upset.

"Let's calm down, guys, any of us would give our lives to save our people. We're the highest council, we're the basis of Daybreak alongside our other world leaders," Eric started.

"But, we can't let that define who we are as individuals. Or let us forget that we have people who are willing to die for the same cause as we are." David chimed in, "We would never force someone to be sacrificed, but we also can't dictate who can and can't be sacrificed."

"The humans are right," Delos stated, "We cannot allow our personal feelings to dictate our next move. We must do what is right for the masses."

Thierry looked at them.

"This cannot be helped. As leaders we must do what we need to. I'll talk to some of the shifters. Meeting dismissed."

The room quickly dispersed. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear, Johnny, happy birthday to you!" everyone sang happily.

"Make a wish!" Poppy cried as she continuously shot photo after photo.

Ash kept his arms around Mary-Lynnette as they watch Johnathan blow the candles on his cake out. This would be the last week they'd see him before the final battle. The Wild Powers had to be moved to the sacred grove where Hellwise's village once stood. The ritual was going to take time and goddess knew how much time they really had.

Johnathan smiled up at his parents. Ash couldn't help, but think of how blessed he was. His wife and child were with him. He'd never been happier. As they sat together talking and watching the children play Rashel brought up terrible news.

"Someone has volunteered to be our sacrifice."

"Who is it?" Ash asked grimly.

"Maggie's brother." She whispered eyes darting over to where Delos had an arm around a depressed looking Maggie.

"Miles? Why?" Keller asked.

"He said he's been depressed for years. The only woman he's ever loved is dead. And he wants to help Daybreak any way he can. And as we know, if he was meant to be with his witch they'll be together some day."

"He's really brave." Rowan whispered.

"He definitely is." Keller remarked.

"It's not about bravery." Quinn said levelly.

"What?" Jez asked raising an eyebrow.

"It's about duty. And honor. It's about doing what you know you have to do." Ash finished.

"It's not his responsibility."

James chuckled, "It's not like that with guys. Some of us see something like this and instantly think, this is my duty. This is what I'm supposed to do. This is how I can be remembered. How I can contribute to my people."

"Guys are so weird." Jade said groaning.

"It isn't like that." Mare started, "He means that…some of us feel like it's our place to do our part. And sometimes doing the most difficult part shows us who we are and how strong we truly are. He's not just doing this for us, he's doing it for himself. This is how he feels is the only way he can contribute and make a difference."

"Oh…"

"When do we leave?" Morgead asked.

"Two days from now. The witch's council has gotten together with Sara Strange to open up the island."

"That's why Iliana's not here." Jez said coming to the realization, "I was wondering where she was."

"Yeah, she and Hugh left three days ago. It's a five day ritual."

"Who's going to take care of the kids while we're gone?"

"Iona and Zigsa. Along with some other people."

"Sara, isn't this dangerous? I mean, there was a reason the island was hidden from view." Iliana said worriedly as she worked.

"Of course it's dangerous. Nothing that was needed to be or worth doing was ever easy, Iliana."

"What's going to happen now?" she whispered.

Sara turned and looked at her levelly. "I will not lie to you. What is next to come is war. Many will die. This will not be easy. And it will not be pleasant. Many will die simply protecting you and the others. Many have all ready died protecting you."

"No offense, but…how can Hugh defend me? If things are as dangerous as you say."

Sara laughed and looked at Iliana with amusement, "Hugh isn't here for your protection, Iliana. He's here because he's your soulmate."

"What?" Iliana blinked in shock, "No way, wouldn't I know?"

"Iliana, how often do you touch Hugh? He knows because Keller and Jez pointed out how he's always around you. And I simply know."

"Hold on, are you supposed to be telling me this?"

"Not really, but I figure you aren't going to find out now that we have so many distractions. It's the end of the world, rules need to be stretched. This isn't the time for chaos, but it also is not the time for conventional rules."

Iliana nodded, "So, how do I…you know…confront him with this news?"

"Hugh is an old soul. He knows all about soulmates and he'll take the information in stride. Just grab his hand. Hold it in yours and he'll know."

Iliana nodded again and smiled at Sara.

"Thank you. For everything, Sara."

"Don't thank me, sweetheart. It is my pleasure."

Redfern knew where they were going. He could sense it. As soon as Eldora told him that something had shifted in the cosmos. He knew he had to move quickly. The witches were turning on him. He could sense it. Something was happening that was rocking the loyalty of the witches.

"We leave tonight." He barked.

"Where, my king?" one of his advisors asked.

"The Village of Hellwise."

The council turned to him, eyes wide. Was he crazy? No one had been into that village since the witches left it. The council had long since moved and the witches had put a spell on it to hide it from the humans.

"I want to move, now!"

Fiero ran to do his king's bidding.

Mary-Lynnette bent down in front of Johnathan, "Be a good boy for Iona and Zigsa, okay?"

"Yes, mommy."

"Mommy and Daddy love you."

Johnathan giggled, "I know, Mommy. Go save da world and come home."

Mary-Lynnette smiled.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, angel." she said hugging him tightly.

"I love you, mommy." He said hugging back.

"I love you, too." She kissed his forehead then stood up.

Ash bent down and looked at his son.

"Protect the younger ones. Okay? You're older. They look up to you and Aiden."

"Yes, sir."

"I'll protect mommy and bring her back safe to you."

"I know you will, Daddy."

Ash hugged his son.

"I love you, Johnny."

"I love you, too."

"I'll see you soon." He said getting up.

Johnathan looked up at his parents and a wave of melancholy hit him, but at the same time…pride. His parents were strong and powerful. And so was he. He could be just like them.

They looked back at him with love and adoration. The sadness was palpable as they sat down. Everyone was sad. But, the determination and hope was there too. They'd do this. They do this for peace. They'd do this for their children. They'd make this world better if it was the last thing they ever did.

The Daybreakers stood together staring at what was left of Hellwise's village. The witches had preserved it. It looked incredible.

"This is it." Hannah whispered.

Thierry nodded.

"I can't believe we're really here." Jill breathed. She could feel the ancient magic pulsing through the ground and the air around them.

"It's real." Morgead said quietly and in awe.

"We're really here." Jez agreed.

"And it's time for war." Delos said looking around.

Everyone nodded grimly. It was time. Whether they wanted it to be or not.