Chapter 29

Hayden woke suddenly. He wasn't sure how long he had been unconscious for but it seemed like forever. He rubbed his head and sat up, looking to his left as he did so. Lying next to him was Mikota. Her body was limp, her breathing shallow and her face covered in deep gashes and bruises. Hayden crawled over to her quickly. She was stable but if she didn't receive medical attention soon, it would be very unlikely that she would survive. He took her head and checked her airway, clearing it of any blood. He then moved her into the recovery position, talking to her all the time. Suddenly, he remembered what was happening. The others had been hurt before him but he couldn't see where they were. However, he could see a bright, glowing light coming from around the corner of the tall structure in the middle of this giant room. Checking that Mikota was still breathing comfortably, Hayden stood up, slowly making his way towards the edge of the structure. He peered round the corner. The next sight stayed with him for the rest of his life.

The light around Terra had grown brighter and her face bore an expression of pure fury. She was hovering at least 20 feet above the ground, surrounded by the five elements of fire, water, wind, lightning and earth. Phoenix sat on the ground, shading her eyes from the intense light that Terra cast upon her. Her expression showed fear, an expression she had never yet had shown, as it had always been her that cast fear on anyone that crossed her.

'Get away from her now!' Terra's voice boomed across the great hall, taking Hayden by complete surprise. He was scared of what he was seeing, yet, he was amazed to see someone contain so much power. Phoenix however stood her ground. Terra raised her arm, raising alongside it the fiery ball that she had formed previously. It began to spark violently as she threw it forwards, landing just inches from Phoenix, who jumped up in fright. 'That was just a warning.' Terra said. 'If you do not listen now, then next time I may not be so merciless.'

'My dear Terra.' Phoenix said suddenly, which came as a surprise to both Terra and Hayden. 'Don't you realise that this power of yours can be used to do great things?' Terra dropped her arms.

'How do you mean?' she asked. Phoenix grinned.

'Why you could work with me.' She replied. Terra lifted her arms again.

'Never!' she shouted. 'I shall never work with someone as foul hearted as you!' Terra threw both balls of fire and water towards Phoenix, who stopped them both, casting a shield in front of her.

'Then it is settled!' Phoenix cried as she held back the blasts. 'It is to the death! I can still withdraw what i need from your corpse.' She withdrew her hand, removing the shield in the process and creating a ball of fire, similar to that of Terra's, aiming it directly at her head. Terra swung her arm, creating a barrier of water, which she dove behind as it absorbed the impact of the fire. Pushing out with her palms, Terra sent the wall of water cascading down upon Phoenix, who cast another shield, but it was not strong enough to withstand the attack. Phoenix was thrown off her feet back into the wall. However, she didn't give up. Standing back up she threw her hand towards Terra where it caused her to stop dead in mid air. Phoenix squeezed her hand into a fist, just as she had done with Mikota before. Terra screamed in pain but she couldn't stop fighting. She was here to save a friend and she couldn't have made it without the others. They had all fought for her and saved her life on more than one occasion. Now it was her turn. Anger continued to build higher and higher, her power increasing all the time. Hayden still stood back, unable to allow himself to interfere. He would most certainly be killed if he went out there but he wanted to do something. Pushing himself, he began to run towards them both.

'Terra!' He called as he ran, his fear now gone. He wanted to protect her, even if it meant his death. He had never felt this way about anyone before in his life. Terra began to glow even brighter as her anger began to build up to bursting point, the pain increasing the power even more so. Sparks of lightning, wheels of fire, streams of water, intense wind and boulders began to fly around her. The power was more intense than ever and it was ready to burst at any moment. Hayden continued to run towards them, his claw-arm at the ready to strike Phoenix down and end it all, but he was never to make it.

Terra unleashed her power. All five elements were sent flying as her body went into a great spasm, throwing her arms and legs outwards, her eyes wide open. Phoenix was blasted backwards and caught in the onslaught as she collided with the wall, unable to escape. Her scream echoed around the hall as her body began to burn, her flesh melting away revealing her bare bones. Hayden tried to reach Terra but was thrown back by the blast. He was hurled backwards, landing face first into the ground. His head split open, his bones broke and his breathing stopped.