Finally I got this out! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. You might not get another update until I go on Christmas break. Just a heads-up. Two things: This is the longest story I have ever written on this site. Also, this is the last chapter for this story!

Erik

Shaunee was facing off with Dallas and Erin. Stark was rushing toward Zoey just as she called the elements to protect her. Aurox plunged into battle beside the Guardian, deflecting a blow meant for the young High Priestess. Darius and Aphrodite went to Shaylin. Nicole took a punch thrown at Damien. Rephaim blocked a Dark creature from Stevie Rae. Kalona found Thanatos and went to her. Lenobia and Travis were fighting alongside the horses. The cats were even getting involved. Everything was in chaos.

In the middle of it all, a bloated wraith laughed wickedly. Jet shuddered but fought nonetheless. Neferet.

Starr raced for Shaunee's side. "Wanna know what water and electricity create?" Erik head Dallas ask as he joined them swiftly.

"Lightning," Erin finished.

Shaunee narrowed her eyes. "Do you know what lightning creates?" she inquired. When they looked at her, confused and blank, she sneered, "Fire."

"Know what an angry goddess creates?" Starr aimed an Ice Arrow shaft that crackled with Lightning straight at Dallas. "All of the above. Now get out of here before I fry your butts off!"

Erik parried a sword thrust. Starr whirled, her blazing eyes going wide in shock. Erik pushed the shadow-guard back, not letting anything near his goddess. She grabbed his hand when the wraith had been destroyed completely. "I know this may sound awful, but I want you to find Kalona or Nisroc and get the hell out of here," he advised, not wanting her in danger.

She squeezed his hand. "I'm not going anywhere, Professor Night. Sorry to disappoint." She grinned and faded into the battle.

He had a tough time concentrating on the fight when all along he had no clue what Starr was doing. He knew by the flashes of Runes here and there that she was working her magick into everything she could, which would eventually exhaust her no matter what. Erik hoped she could last long enough virtually unnoticed so that she would survive this whole thing. After her recent behavior…

No! He cut that thought off from his mind. No way was he going to lose her again.

Nyx's presence was bittersweet as he once again looked around for Starr. Even the dragons were involved now. I hope to the whole Otherworld that you help her through this, Nyx! he thought, just as a sunbeam shot down toward a familiar face. Apollo landed beside Starr; Erik shifted and loped to her side. The two of them were able to keep most of the battle from her. She closed her eyes in concentration, focusing her energy in whole. Something began to fray inside Erik, but he stupidly ignored it.

The open war sucked in fledglings and vampyres alike. Travis, the horses, and even the cats let nothing out of their sights, either. Artemis appeared and disappeared a few times, seeming to deliver messages and orders between the dragons and Apollo. Chaos had his say in the fight as well.

"Starr!" Apollo shouted. Fresh blood dripped from the wounds Erik had already acquired, yet this one was the worst. A new line of crimson welled up, flowing freely. Starr had a few red slashes, but the boys mostly kept it off her. The enemies were closing in too fast, and even Apollo's godly speed could not keep them off him. He was dripping scarlet last Erik looked.

Starr vanished into thin air. Erik whipped around, ignoring the bloodlust that temporarily flared in him. His eyes ripped through the churning mass of bodies, searching for a familiar flash of gold. His heart thundered painfully in his chest. Where is she? Horrible thoughts flooded his mind. He knew one thing about this battle, and that was the fact he had to make sure Starr made it out alive and whole. A scream pierced the night as Zoey was wrenched free of the center of the fight by Aurox and Stark, both looking dangerous. Then Erik found her.

"Starr, you can't do this!" he yelled above the din. He stared at her in growing horror.

Amidst all the writhing Darkness, at the very heart, Starr looked back at Erik and smiled sadly. If I don't destroy her, who will? he heard in his mind. Her voice was quiet and strong. He knew that voice. She was determined to finish this. The 'ferret will wreak havoc if we let her take on a more ethereal form. This is my only chance. She turned her back on him, but the connection did not sever. I will love you forever, my Night. She dove into the monster.

Erik felt everything in him break. "No!"

The end! Keep an eye out for the sequel: In the Black of Day.