Chosen Chapter 17: War of the Wizards

Part 13

Xxx

In a flash of white light, Violet and Ambrose appeared on the rocky beaches of Atlantis. The wizard groaned, suffering from his burns, and fell in the sand when Violet released him. A soft warm breeze blew through her hair as she looked up at the beautiful city of Atlantis in all its ancient glory. The pleasant feeling brought a certain sense of peace, even after everything that had happened. This was the way it had to end, as it brought a poetic sense of justice.

"Where did you take us?" Ambrose asked.

"Look around and see for yourself." Violet replied.

Ambrose crawled up and looked at his surroundings. He was shocked to see the familiar city, though he had not seen it like this in ages. Before he had a chance to move further, Violet raised her hand and froze his entire body except for his head. Normally it wouldn't have worked, but the Chosen spell and his injuries had weakened him enough.

"Why have you brought me here?" Ambrose asked. "When is this?"

"I think you know." Violet replied.

At that moment an explosion sounded and Violet turned to the large building on the edge of a cliff, the academy of Atlantis. A beam of purple energy shot out of the building and coursed through the street, causing death and destruction as it did. Panic erupted in the city as more beams erupted from the building. Ambrose looked at the destruction in despair. Using the last of her strength, Violet raised her arms and slowed down the explosions around them.

"You caused all of this." Violet noted.

"So you brought me here to confront me with my past." Ambrose replied. "And leave me here to die along my people. It's strangely poetic."

"My thoughts exactly." Violet said.

"There is just one flaw in your plan, dear Violet." Ambrose remarked. "I might be weakened, but the moment you leave, your freeze will break and allow me to spiral away."

"I know." Violet admitted as she sat down in the sand as a beam of energy slowly coursed toward them. "That's why I'm not leaving."

"What?" Ambrose asked surprised.

"I didn't just bring you here to face your mistakes, Ambrose." Violet replied. "I also came here to accept my own. I made a horrible choice that led to my friend dying. Making sure that this war ends is the only way I know how to fix it."

"So you're dooming yourself out of guilt." Ambrose concluded. "This is why you're weak, this is why witches should have never been taught magic. You don't have what it takes."

"Magic shouldn't be used for selfish gain." Violet replied. "The only thing you ever desired was power. You're the only who was never worthy to wield it."

"The world would have been better under my rule." Ambrose countered.

"Nobody is better under the rule of a tyrant." Violet replied. "Not even your own children, who you manipulated and tortured for your own needs. That's not what a father should do."

"You know nothing about it." Ambrose sneered at her.

"I know my birth parents gave me up so I could have the best possible life." Violet replied. "They put my needs ahead of their own. That's what a loving parent does."

Ambrose fell silent as the beam of destruction nearly reached them. In the distance, the academy was consumed in a giant sphere of purple energy that started to spread across the city. Violet wasn't scared, as she had made her peace with her choice. After deciding which of her friends should die, she felt like she didn't deserve to go. She would miss her friends and especially Arthur, but she hoped they would understand. They could move on and live their lives without her.

"This is it, Ambrose." Violet said. "Your war against us lesser beings is over and we won. The cure will be released and everything you did was for nothing."

"I did what I felt was necessary." Ambrose stated determined. "If this is the end, so be it."

Violet raised her hand at the destruction and unfroze it. At that moment, swirling white orbs started to surround her. She knew what was happening as she heard the voices of Billie and Duncan in her mind, calling out to her. They were pulling her back with a spell. As the wave of destruction crashed down on them, Ambrose was completely disintegrated with a scream, while Violet was swept away to another time and place.

Xxx

"Power of the witches rise,

Course unseen across the skies.

Come to us who call you near,

Come to us and settle here."

Billie and Duncan kept chanting the spell over and over again. It was the only thing they could think of to get Violet back. When she had disappeared, Billie was afraid that she was not coming back. She seemed determined to stop Ambrose and was obviously in pain over the choice she had made. Even though Nick was dead because of it, Billie could not bear to lose someone else. She wasn't going to let go without a fight.

After what seemed like an eternity, white orbs appeared in front of them and manifested into Violet. She was sitting on the ground as tears were rolling down her face.

"Why did you bring me back?" Violet asked.

"I'm not losing another friend, Vi." Billie replied. "No matter what happened, we can figure it out."

"We weren't just going to leave you." Duncan added.

"Violet!" Arthur called out as he ran over and hugged her. "What were you thinking?"

"I made you kill your sister." Violet replied. "How can you even look at me?"

"Listen to me." Arthur said determined. "You were carrying this huge burden and you didn't tell anyone. I'm convinced that you did everything you could. How can I blame you for that?"

"That's not so difficult." Nathan remarked bitterly. "My brother is dead."

"Nathan, I'm so sorry." Violet said.

"I don't care." Nathan replied. "At least tell me it's over."

"It is." Violet confirmed. "Ambrose was killed in the very destruction he caused. He's gone."

"Good." Nathan said as he walked away.

"I should go talk to him." Duncan added.

Duncan ran after Nathan and attempted to conform him, though Nathan refused to listen and stormed off. Now that it was over, Billie took a few steps back and wanted to scream. She had put her feelings aside until the fight was over, but now the pain of losing Nick came rushing back. She struggled to hold back her tears.

"Billie?" Violet asked.

"Don't." Billie replied without looking at her. "I need some time."

"Something is happening in the tower." Emyr noted as he pointed up.

Billie and the others turned to the tower and saw a swirling pink mist started surrounding it, the cure. Once it was released, the virus would be destroyed and this nightmare would finally be over. The swirling mist started to glow brighter and brighter until it exploded in a wave of particles that spread in all directions at incredible speed. The particles descended from the skies like glittering snow that faded the moment it hit the ground.

"We won." Duncan said.

A column of orbs descended from the tower and formed into Kevin and Ramsey. At the same time, a portal opened from Magic School and Sandra and Paige walked through.

"We did it!" Ramsey said excited.

"The cure has been spread across the world and all magical realms." Kevin revealed. "The virus has been completely destroyed."

"The infected at Magic School woke up the moment they were cured." Sandra added. "You all saved countless lives, we cannot thank you enough."

"What about Hope and Tyler?" Billie asked. "Were they freed from Ambrose's illusions?"

"They were. They'll be fine, although they might have some nightmares." Paige replied. "The moment they woke up, I knew you guys did it. I'm so proud of you. Is everyone alright?"

"Not everyone." Billie replied. "Nick…"

Before she could finish, Billie was finally overwhelmed with the feelings she had been holding back and collapsed in tears. Paige quickly rushed over and held her tightly. Billie knew she should be happy about saving the world, but she could only think about Nick right now. As she looked over her shoulder at Violet, she wasn't sure if things would ever go back to normal.

Xxx

As the night began to fall, Amanda Freeman sat in her dark office staring at the ruby amulet in her hands. It was a strange feeling that Edgar was dead, having sacrificed himself to save her. She had not loved him in years, but she still felt his loss deeply. She also understood the role she had played in his death. Her decision to create the virus had led to all of this. She had hated magic so much that she had sought to destroy it, but now she saw her mistake. Magic was just a weapon. It depended on the one wielding it whether it was used for good or evil.

The door to her office opened and the light was turned on. When Amanda looked up, she saw it was agent Murphy. She put away her amulet and wiped a single tear from her face.

"I just got off the phone with Duncan." Murphy said. "It's over. Ambrose is dead and the virus is destroyed."

"Thank God." Amanda said. "Did they make it?"

"Not everyone did." Murphy replied. "Nick Ross was killed, one of the twins."

"I know." Amanda said. "He helped save me earlier. It's a shame."

"Yeah, it's a high price to pay." Murphy replied. "I made a few calls and arranged it so the destruction of The Cauldron will be labeled as a gas leak. Edgar's death shall be declared an accident."

"Thank you, agent Murphy." Amanda replied. "That will be all, if you don't mind. I need to be alone."

"Of course." Murphy said.

Murphy turned around to leave, though before he could, the door opened and several suited agents entered the office. They secured the room and stood guard by the windows as a middle-aged, balding agent entered. Amanda had not seen him before, though it was clear he had a high rank.

"What's the meaning of this?" Amanda asked as she rose from her seat. "I'm pretty sure I had no appointments."

"Agent Keyes." Murphy said surprised.

"It's Director Keyes now, agent Murphy." Keyes replied. "Both of you please sit down. We have a lot to discuss."

"Not until you tell me why you're barging into my office." Amanda declared.

"I will explain everything in a moment." Keyes replied as he took seat in one of the chairs in front of her office. "Trust me when I say that you'll want to hear my offer."

Intrigued, Amanda lowered herself back in her chair and waited for Keyes to start talking. The moment he did, she realized he wasn't kidding around with his offer.

Xxx

The End