~ Chapter Forty-One ~
Under a Cursed Moon
Their alliance with the Third Race was not off to a good start.
The reddish-orange shadow that covered the moon meant that Lord Demetrius was coming with his army at any moment, and Rose wasn't getting anywhere productive with the Lord of Avalon. If anything, she'd made everything much, much worse.
Lord Oberon was standing and staring at her with ice-cold loathing in his eyes, hating every inch of her. The Children glanced between them with wide-eyes, unsure who to side with, Titania looked like she was going to faint, and the Asgardians were inching closer to her with their weapons raised.
"I'm sorry," Rose whispered as Goliath came up to them, his face showing the same shock as everyone else's. "I… I didn't mean to lose my temper, nor divide us further."
"You shouldn't have to be sorry because you're right," he answered quietly, placing his claw upon her shoulder. "There must be no more groveling before Oberon out of fear. He must be made to listen, but neither can we further enrage him. It'll do us no good."
"Yeah, and we kinda need him as an ally," Puck added dryly. "But, by all means, keep enraging him, it'll be interesting to see how he chooses to squash you..." he paused, then added, "actually, on second thought, maybe we should choose a new spokesperson."
Rose rolled her eyes. "What else could I have done? He needs to be put in his place."
"Yes," Goliath whispered, "but perhaps it's time to approach him differently." He looked up at the darkening moon, and for the first time, she saw genuine fear in his eyes. "We are out of time. So if we are to try a new approach, it needs to be now."
Rose nodded, swallowed heavily, then looked over at Brooklyn. His brick-red skin had paled slightly and was still holding her hand tightly. With a nod, he whispered, "You've got this, babe. I'll be beside you the entire time."
Rose smiled in gratitude, then King Arthur stepped up to her, and his kind face was concerned.
"A leader must sometimes be the bigger person and make the more difficult choices." He placed a gentle hand upon her arm. "And right now, I'd say that is the time. Do what you must; we are all right behind you."
Rose nodded, then turned around to face Oberon, whose icy blue eyes were full of wrath and a deep loathing for her. Taking a deep breath, she squeezed Brooklyn's claw.
"I need to try to speak to him… alone."
Brooklyn looked cautious, but with a stiff nod, he released her hand and warily watched her approach Oberon.
As she did so, for the first time since meeting him, she felt afraid. Not because of his power, but because of his pride and arrogance.
"Lord Oberon, I… I apologize for the rough start to this conversation, but I ask that you please listen to me." Her voice was calm and firm but was on the edge of breaking as he raised an eyebrow at her.
"It's time to put the past behind you, forgive grudges, let go of hatred, and realize how much danger we all are in. Hela murdered my human parents, encouraged my ex-husband to beat and abuse me daily, all in an attempt to darken my soul and developing magic. However, when that didn't work, she took me away from my Gargoyle family and mate against my will and brought me to Hel, where I then met my birth parents for the first time. So, trust me when I say that I hated them about as much as you do."
Oberon's icy eyes narrowed at her words.
"My father is truly evil and must be stopped," she continued bravely, "but I've found that Hela isn't quite what she appears to be, even though she was the one who hurt me the most. She is trapped in Hel, under your brother's mind control. She opened her mind and heart to me and showed me her memories of what happened between you two, and there was wrong done on both sides. You both have endured true hurt and betrayal… but her soul isn't fully gone! There is good inside her soul, and there may still be a chance that she can turn. However, if this issue between the two families does not get resolved or finds a balance, this world will be destroyed by any magic that has gotten too far out of control. From the light and dark side."
Rose pointed up to the darkened moon.
"Lord Demetrius will be here at any moment with thousands of evil creatures, and a curse so dark and evil that it will destroy us all if we don't unite and stand together! We must ready our armies right now, or else all of us: Third Race, your Children, Gargoyles, and Humans alike, will die."
She then turned to the room and spoke to everyone, who remained utterly silent.
"We all have loved ones and family we wish to protect from this evil curse, and that is why I am taking a stand! I hated what my father did to me while in Hel, the games he played, the pleasure he took in my suffering… and he will answer to me for it, one way or the other. Lord Demetrius took my blood for the death curse, and because of that, I am making it my goal to find a way to stop it. But I need your help! I don't know spells or magic like you do and don't know how to stop it."
She then slowly knelt on her knees before Oberon, and both of his thin eyebrows rose in unison.
"Please, Lord Oberon," Rose whispered, pleading with him. "Put your pride away and help us fight this great evil. I ask… no… I plead with you to believe me. Lord Demetrius is coming right now, and when he does, he'll rip apart everything we all hold dear, and only you can stop him. I do not care what you do to him or the rest of the creatures, but…" she paused then swallowed deeply. "I beg that you please spare my mother, Hela."
Gasps and snorts of laughter suddenly trickled throughout the room, and Oberon barked out a laugh that sent shivers down her spine and wings.
"There is good in her, Lord Oberon," she begged over the sounds of outrage and laughter, "I've seen it with the gift I have of reading souls. Hela has made plenty of mistakes, that much I'm sure we can both agree on, but she's no longer evil. My mother is trapped under Lord Demetrius's control."
Titania looked distraught at this, but the fury on Oberon's face faded, and amusement took over instead.
"Am I hearing this correctly?" He drawled. "You wish for me to spare the Goddess of Death? The evil Faerie who was solely responsible for the first Avalonian War?"
More laughter erupted across the room, including his own, and she shrunk before him. Brooklyn growled behind her, stepped up, and took her hand. His simple touch brought her great comfort.
Oberon stopped laughing, cocked his head to the side, and studied their intertwined hands carefully. "But this is serious, Rose…" he whispered. "Don't tell me that you, who claims to have known hatred for your parents, now has compassion for the demoness who first wrecked a hole in Avalon two-thousand years ago?"
"Hela has changed and regrets what has happened," Rose whispered. "She's angry still, yes, but honestly? She has a good reason to be…"
Oberon raised an eyebrow at her. "Oh?"
"I would be upset too if the man who I thought loved me betrayed and cut off my wings out of sheer selfishness."
"Rose," Titania warned, holding a hand out to her, but Oberon instantly held his hand up and silenced Titania again. More uncomfortable seconds passed by as he stared at her with wide-eyes.
"So," he murmured slowly. "Hela showed you what happened, did she?" His voice was so calm, it was deadly, and she didn't dare respond. "Well, it doesn't matter what happened in the past now. I look forward, not backward, and right now, I stand by my initial report from those individuals with whom I trust the most." He retook a seat on his throne-like chair and spoke to her as if she were a child.
"My brother cannot break through Avalon's shields without my allowance, and no death curse he's managed to conjure up will certainly be powerful enough to break them down. So, I thank you for your warning and concern, child, but it is not rendered necessary."
Rose closed her eyes, exhaling a breath in defeat.
"On whose report do you believe this information to be accurate?" Griff suddenly voiced loudly from the back. Oberon glanced over at him in slight surprise.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I said…" Griff began, then enunciated, "on whose report do you trust more than a key witness who has heard Lord Demetrius's schemes to attack us tonight?"
"Why, from the only other being who's been to Hel, of course," Oberon replied, gesturing over to Anubis. "What better spy to have over the Death Gods of Hel than a God of Death, himself?"
"But he's a traitor!" Rose cried out. "You can't believe anything he's told you! Anubis was the one who suggested to my father that he should attack during our war meeting! I saw them scheming together for myself! He cannot be trusted!"
Anubis remained silent, and though some of the Children glanced over at him warily, Oberon didn't break his eye contact with her.
"Or maybe… that was the plan the entire time."
Rose gasped. "What?"
"Anubis is my spy," Oberon explained quietly. "I sent him to Hel to plant that idea into my brother's head, to make him believe that I was too helpless against his powers and armies, when, in fact, it is him who lacks power. My brother will soon realize this inevitable fact when we attack him first."
"But… a spy can also be a spy for the other party," Rose whispered. "What if Anubis is playing both sides without your knowledge? Or none at all?"
Anubis glanced over at her now, but Oberon chuckled at this. "I had no idea you could be so amusing, daughter of Hel."
"Anubis wishes for me to follow the prophecy out of Hel and will do anything to make sure that happens," Rose continued, ratting Anubis out. "And if you remember the prophecy, it speaks of burning Avalon to the ground and of the Goddess of Death succeeding. Now, I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like someone who has your best interests at heart, nor is someone you can truly trust."
After her words, Oberon continued to observe her. He glanced over at Anubis once, then cocked his head at her and eyed her with malice. "Thank you for those… inspiring words and warnings, Rose. I'll be sure to take note of them."
A few more Children and Asgardians laughed at this, and horror oozed through her chest. He was shooting her down, yet again.
"How can you be so thick-headed?" She demanded, losing her patience. "Do you not see and realize that it's because of you that all of this is happening?"
Oberon's eyes turned cold. "You presume to know and judge me, do you? How? If your dearest mother has shown you what has happened in the past, it was no doubt all a lie."
"I can see souls beneath façades," Rose snapped back, "and my mother did not lie to me."
Oberon waved her comment away. "Whatever. I will not listen to this anymore, nor will I allow the daughter of Hel to show disrespect towards me." He turned to the entire room now. "Let this be known to all creatures, once and for all, to clarify the truth from the lies. Avalon will not burn, for I will not allow such a fate to transpire."
"But-" Rose began; however, he cut her off.
"We are safe from Hel. We are safe from the death curse, the demons of Hel, and my brother. Furthermore, I do not regret my actions towards Hela and my brother and any other creature who has dared to defy me. My words are law, and I'm here to remind all of my Children of that fact."
He looked around the room now, eyeing a few Children with deadliness.
"There are many who have returned to this paradise home without my permission, so, let them be warned… After I finish this war, they will soon be dealt with for daring to step back on this soil after I've banished them. All of Avalon and Hel will soon remember who is truly in charge here."
Both Puck and Ilana looked ill at this, but Oberon smiled darkly, and again, looked pleased by himself.
"How can you be so cruel?" Rose hissed as anger and fire began building up inside of her. "You say that you are a dedicated and humble leader, but then you banish and threaten those who have wronged or defied you! You punish those who stand up to you, and instead of listening to them or having compassion upon them, you break them down! Just because you yield light magic from All-father Aesir does not make you immune to corruption!"
She let go of Brooklyn's claw and stepped closer to Oberon. His blue eyes were livid once again as her quiet voice rose louder and more assertive.
"Think about your actions, Oberon! Don't you see that All-father Aesir is trying to tell you the error of your ways? Can't you feel the island of Avalon groaning and trembling beneath your feet? If not, then how can you say you are any better than my father? Not every creature who defies you is evil-"
Oberon whipped around and faced her suddenly. His face was full of livid wrath, and his body began to glow in a light green light.
"ENOUGH! I am the LORD OF AVALON!" He roared in an echoing voice that shook the walls around them. Rose jumped back, gasping, and Brooklyn pulled her into his arms, protecting her. "I DO NOT HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE LIKES OF YOU! I HAVE NOTHING TO ATONE FOR, NOR DO I REGRET ANYTHING FROM MY PAST!"
Silence answered his outburst, and nobody in the room dared to move or breathe. He turned and walked away from her.
Rose felt defeated, terrified, and was trembling in Brooklyn's arms. However, it was not just fear she was feeling, but intense anger and disappointment in the Lord of Avalon. Angry tears welled up in her eyes, and when she spoke next, her voice was barely louder than a whisper.
"You don't regret destroying the life and soul of the woman you once loved?"
Oberon froze.
His arm shot out, gripped the top of his throne, and his thin fingers curled into the stone.
Sensing the impending danger, Brooklyn gripped Rose even tighter and used his arms to shield her stomach.
Oberon wasn't facing her, and it felt like minutes passed before he spoke. When he finally did, his voice was so dark and guttural; it was almost unrecognizable.
"I did not... love... Hela."
"Yes, you did," Rose dared to breathe. "I can see it in your eyes, Oberon. You can lie to everyone else here, but you cannot lie to me. You loved my mother once, but since then, you've let pride and selfishness blind you to that fact. She used to be a kind-hearted protector of Avalon. Back when she was Helena, the first Queen of the Faeries."
Oberon whipped around to face her now, and his eyes were burning.
"You know nothing of what you speak of," he hissed through his fanged teeth. "So I suggest… if you wish to live another moment more, you will cease speaking immediately. I will not listen a second more to what the whore of Hel has to say to me."
"Don't speak to my mate like that," Brooklyn snarled suddenly, but Oberon instantly turned on him.
"SHE'S NOT YOUR MATE!"
The fury in his face and eyes made Rose's hands light up with red, electrified power. Stepping in front of Brooklyn, she braced herself to shield both of them and all the ones she loved. He looked down at her magic lividly, and his green power enveloped his being again.
"My Lord!" Titania cried out. "Please stop this…!"
Brooklyn clutched onto the first weapon he could find, a laser gun from Xanatos, and behind them, the Gargoyles were growling and tensing up to attack, but Oberon did not attack Rose. He advanced on Brooklyn instead.
"She is not of your kind and therefore does not and cannot ever belong to you!" He snarled. "I do not sanction this bond you claim to have with each other. Therefore, it is not real."
At this, Brooklyn's eyes lit up brightly, and he bore his sharp teeth at him threateningly. "You are not my Lord or ruler, so you have no say over that."
"Maybe not, but she is a mystical entity, and as Lord of all things magical and mystical, I do have a lawful claim over what becomes of her! And I say… she's not to be your mate. It is an unnatural travesty."
Brooklyn growled and tightened his grip around Rose. "Well, I say that you can burn in Hel, Lord Oberon. Allfather Aesir has blessed us with this soul-bond, and there's nothing you can do or say that will destroy it or the eternal love we have for each other."
Oberon's fury burned within his glowing green magic. Rose was sure that he would explode and kill them all, but instead, he whipped around and turned on Goliath.
"Is this how you've chosen to lead your kind, Goliath? To let your Second-in-Command and all future gargoyles live outside of nature's laws?"
Goliath shook his head slowly. "No, my Lord, but neither do I discourage it if it's real and pure love…" He then stepped in front of Elisa slyly and used his body to shield her from his view. "Oberon, you cannot deny the power you feel from their bond. It was made from the hands of destiny."
"I refuse to believe that Allfather Aesir has anything to do with this forbidden union; however, I do believe I am beginning to see the true instigator in all of this, Goliath."
Goliath blinked in confusion.
"Do you think me blind to see the way you hover over and protect the human female behind you? Do you think I'm a fool for not sensing your mating bond to her?" Oberon's face scrunched up in disgust. "You, a mighty and noble Gargoyle leader, have also broken nature's laws by being mated to a human."
Murmurs erupted from the Children and Asgardians, but instantly, the clans, including Xanatos, stepped closer to Goliath and Elisa, shielding and providing more protection.
King Arthur stepped forward to speak.
"My Lord, we already have a war coming for us. There's no point in seeking out another out of choices of others that you disagree with. Please, I implore you to see reason again and place your hatred and bigotry behind you."
"Enough!" Oberon snarled at him. "I do not have to hear any more of this!"
"The Lord Oberon I once knew was a fair and just ruler!" King Arthur exclaimed in a powerful voice. "You've allowed hatred for Lord Demetrius and Hela to blind and corrupt you! If you will not stand up and fight for all life, then your brother has already won before the battle begins!"
Oberon pointed a long finger in his direction. "Careful human… you do not want me to add you to those with whom I plan on destroying."
King Arthur's eyebrows narrowed at him. "If I have to lay my life down for a righteous cause alongside my dear friends," he then looked over at all of the gargoyles and smiled gently at them as he added, "then, so be it."
Oberon's eyes widened, his mouth opened in a snarl, but Titania suddenly stepped up to him and placed her hand upon his broad chest.
"My husband," she whispered pleadingly. "Please, stop."
His breathing was uneven as he stared down at his Queen, and Odin suddenly stood up from the table and approached him.
"I agree with our Queen, my Lord… perhaps it's best for all of us to take a step back and refocus on what is most important here." He eyed Oberon carefully. "Your brother's armies… and the evil he plans on spreading abroad the whole earth. We cannot allow such evil to continue any longer…"
Odin clenched his thick hands into fists, and when Rose looked between the Lord of Avalon and Odin, she could see how he was the God of War. His face was fierce and drawn seriously.
Iciness began to fill her soul suddenly as if a Draugr was breathing down her neck, and familiar dark magic crept upon her chest. Her wings instantly reacted and were wanting to take to the sky to fly away from the danger.
Gasping, she looked up at the dark red-orange moon above them and saw that the eclipse was almost at its totality. Brooklyn felt the powers of Hel for himself, exchange a horrified glance with her before she pushed herself out of his arms.
"Lord Oberon, what can you tell us about this death-curse?" Rose asked quickly. "How can we stop it?"
Oberon had contemplated the words from Odin, Titania, and Arthur and calmed down. But when he looked down at her again, the calmness faded, and the same loathing for her returned.
Looking into his eyes, she saw the truth of his answer before saying it, and she realized that she had to accept her fate.
With a snap of her magic, she shut the bond to Brooklyn, so he couldn't hear or feel anything from her, and without his light in her soul, she realized just how numb she had become.
Brooklyn gasped behind her, obviously noting her shutting their bond down.
Oberon let go of Titania and slowly walked towards her.
"It's rather simple, Rose," he whispered. "My brother made the curse with the Cauldron of Life, which magical properties always ask for a sacrifice of some kind. Since your father used his, Hela's, and your blood as a sacrifice to begin the curse- it'll be easy enough to end the curse by similar means."
"And… how exactly do you plan to do that?" Brooklyn whispered darkly from behind.
Rose refused to look away from Oberon, but she slowly died inside as he smirked and answered her mate.
"Again, Gargoyle, that is a simple answer. Once I destroy Hela and Demetrius, there will still be another bloodline of Hel's tied to it. So, I will simply use that being's blood to stop the curse once and for all by reversing its conditions."
Rose could barely breathe anymore.
Titania slowly pieced what he was saying together and was horrified, and Puck even shuddered violently from out of the corner of Rose's eye.
Brooklyn was as still as death, and she had no idea if he understood what Oberon was meaning or not. However, it was Hudson who suddenly stepped forward.
"You say that the answer is simple, Lord Oberon, but yet, yeh speak in riddles. How exactly do yeh intend to end this curse?"
"The curse demands Hel's blood to be paid in full to begin its process," Oberon explained to him quietly. "So, to reverse the curse, it'll ask for that same blood to be repaid in full, and once I destroy Hela and Demetrius… there will only be one remaining person whose blood I can use."
Gasps erupted from the room, but still, no one said a thing; however, by now, Rose didn't expect them to.
Her destiny was staring back at her now. The cold-hard reality she had known for two years now. The unforgiving truth she'd known since almost jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge before being saved by Brooklyn. The answer she'd known all along.
If she was to stop this death curse… she had to die.
Rose's eyes widened as she stared up at her judge, jury, and executioner.
"It is a regretful thing," Oberon said coldly, but didn't look remorseful at all. "However, it is necessary. I know of the prophecy and what it entails, but I am choosing to alter it. Your mother, the Goddess of Death, will not triumph as she will be dead, but one being will sacrifice themselves for the good of all… and that being will be you. Your death is the only way this curse will be stopped. So take heart in that, child."
Oberon raised his hand as various cries and gasps filled the room behind her. Whether they were cheering him on or in protest, it didn't matter anymore. Not knowing what else to do, Rose shut her eyes and accepted the death sentence.
But then her soul-bond exploded.
To her surprise, Brooklyn had burst past her mental shields and roared so loudly it shook the rock walls of the room, followed by an unsheathing of a sword.
"NO! YOU CAN'T HAVE HER!"
Rose whipped around in shock, but Brooklyn had already landed in front of her with one arm shot out protectively in front of her.
His eyes were brightly lit, his sharp teeth were out and snarling, his long, red wings were splayed out, and he was holding Excalibur threateningly against Oberon's neck.
Oberon staggered back, but Brooklyn advanced on him, making sure to press the sword tip to his skin.
With cries of shock, Titania, Goliath, Odin, and the Asgardians all made movements to launch themselves at them. However, Brooklyn pushed Oberon into the stone table, with the blade pressed to his neck, and everybody froze.
Brooklyn was seething, breathing erratically and trembling, but his grip on the sword was steady.
"If you ever lay your hands upon my wife and mate…" he growled in Oberon's face, "I will slice this sword across your neck and end your very existence. Mark my words, Oberon. I've put up with you mocking, snarling, calling her cruel names, and spitting at the love of my life with great patience. But this-" he pressed the sword against his neck harder, "this is where I draw the line. I dare you to cross it."
A shiver ran down Rose's back and wings. Her mate's voice was unlike anything she'd ever heard before. There were no warm or loving tones, but instead, it was terrifying.
Oberon remained frozen and didn't seem to be breathing; however, his face was remarkably calm.
"Brooklyn-" Rose began, holding a hand out to him. "Don't!"
But they both ignored her.
This standoff with each other was much different than when Brooklyn arrived on Avalon. He was angry at Oberon before wanting to destroy Rose or even discussing it, but now his threat and intentions were much more real.
And so was Brooklyn's.
"So," Oberon breathed, showing Brooklyn his fangs in a small smile, "the Puck wasn't lying. You are the thief who took off with my magical sword, tied up the Lady of the Lake in iron chains, which left her alone, helpless, and weak. I didn't believe them when they said that a Gargoyle was able to overpower her incredible siren powers."
"Well, believe it," Brooklyn snarled. "With what strong love I have for Rose, lustful temptations from any other female have no lasting effect on me. Don't you see what happened when I obtained the sword from your powerful siren, Oberon? The power of my love prevailed, and you failed, just like you will tonight if you continue to choose not to see reason!"
A blast of green light and power was Oberon's answer, and Brooklyn was thrown off him.
Rose opened her mouth in a silent, horrified cry as she watched her mate fly through the air but could do nothing for him. He crashed against one of the walls roughly with a loud grunt, and when he crumpled to the ground, his armor and the sword clanged loudly against the stone.
"Brooklyn!" Goliath cried out and launched himself over to throw himself in between the building confrontation. However, with another blast of green magic, Oberon held up a hand and threw a strong force-field in front of all the Gargoyles, including Tom, Catherine, and Elisa. Cutting them off from interfering, and caging them in like animals, while Xanatos and King Arthur jumped out of the way.
Outraged roars exploded from all of the Gargoyles as Goliath, Griff, Hudson, Coldstone, Kai, Yama, Gabriel, Ophelia, Talon, Coco, Angela, and Broadway began pounding their fists against the shield. However, the moment they hit it, a blast of electricity jolted through their bodies, knocking them onto their backs- and no one else dared to try their chances at escape.
Rose watched her loved ones in horror and realized that she was now the only person who stood a chance in defending her mate from Oberon's wrath.
Using her strong wings, she launched herself across the room, landed in front of Brooklyn, and held up her hands, which were swirling with red- electrified power.
Oberon slowed down his steps and stared at her with a scowl.
"That's enough, Oberon," Rose whispered. "I'm not going to let you harm my mate or anyone else."
Behind her, Brooklyn let out a small groan, gripped Excalibur tightly as he stood up, and faced him with his sharp teeth gritted.
"You're right. Enough is enough," Oberon breathed, eyeing them with great disdain. Green power was building in his being, then he roared, "starting with you two!"
A stream of electrified power suddenly shot out of his hands at them like lightning, but with a snap of her hands, her red magic shielded both of them from his attack. His magic bounced off of her shield but was so strong; her feet slid against the stone.
Brooklyn caught her in his arms, steadied her, and held up Excalibur menacingly- guarding them both with the magical blade.
"My Lord! Please, STOP THIS!" Titania cried, throwing a shield of her own out to stop them, but he lazily deflated it with his magic and didn't glance over at her.
His icy blue eyes were on Rose's flaming amber ones and Brooklyn's brightly lit white ones. He threw another powerful crack of lightning-like magic at Rose's shield, trying to break it down.
Her teeth gritted in a great effort as she gave more strength to her shield, but as he advanced on them, he pushed even harder against her.
"You cannot match the power of Avalon!"
With a cry, Oberon sent Rose flying into the same wall Brooklyn had. Her back and wings slammed into the stone, taking her breath away and stunning her before she collapsed to the ground.
"Rose!"
Many voices screamed out her name, including Ilana, but Brooklyn's roar was the loudest and most enraged one of them all. Jumping in front of her crumpled body, he held Excalibur up threateningly at Oberon.
"You're going to regret that!"
"That sword," Oberon yelled, ignoring his threat and pointing to it, "belongs to me!"
Rose was gasping in pain, her wings stunned from the impact, but looked up at Brooklyn and Oberon warily. Ignoring the pain, she jumped to her feet and stood next to Brooklyn with electrified magic in her hands again.
"No… you cannot have it."
Oberon looked at her now. "It is my sword! My biological son, Merlin, crafted it! Since he is currently not here, you do NOT have a claim to it!"
"Until my mate surrenders it to you, he actually does," Rose said darkly. "He overpowered your siren and met the criteria for the sword. He's a natural leader born and has a noble purpose. So, by your own laws placed upon the sword, he's entitled to have temporary ownership over it."
"Not unless I say otherwise," Oberon snarled, holding his hand out.
"He plans to use it to destroy Lord Demetrius!"
"No one will destroy my brother, but ME!" Oberon roared, his being illuminating with bright green power. Rose and Brooklyn braced themselves for his attack. "Now, GIVE ME THE SWORD so I can finish THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!"
"You want it, then come and get it," Brooklyn snarled, and Oberon bore his fangs at him in a wicked smile.
"As you wish…"
Excalibur suddenly flew out of Brooklyn's tight grasp, but Rose reached out with her hand and pulled back on it with her magic. Then, the sword hovered in the air and was drawn and summoned by both Oberon's and Rose's magic in an epic tug-of-war match.
Gasps and cries of shock erupted from everyone, including the gargoyles, but King Arthur yelled, "No! You'll destroy Excalibur!"
A blast of red and green magic erupted from both Oberon and Rose, blasting them even further apart while creating a domed shield around them. The Earth shook around them, their magic filling the room with electricity and heat.
But still, Rose held on.
She wasn't going to allow Oberon to win, nor continue to rule with an iron fist. She and Brooklyn would use Excalibur to end her father's life, protect their loved ones and each other, and their unborn child. There was no greater noble purpose than that.
Brooklyn's eyes widened. Rose was taking on the Lord of Avalon and holding her own. But it wasn't without great difficulty.
There was a great strain between them, the mighty sword was shaking and vibrating back and forth between them, but still, the tug-of-war continued. It was clear that the winner would be who was most powerful, so not even the Children or Titania dared to interfere now. This fight was between Oberon and Rose, the Lord of Avalon and the Princess of Hel, to see who was most worthy for the sword of destiny.
"The sword… is… mine!" Oberon gasped out breathlessly, straining against her power. His eyes were wide with astonishment at what was happening. "You're merely... delaying… the inevitable!"
But still, Rose held on with all she had, despite the pain she was feeling in her entire body. Letting Oberon win would mean that he would continue to do whatever he desired, and his arrogance and pride would become uncontrollable.
He would be unstoppable.
Just then, she felt Brooklyn's strength flow through her through their bond, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw him close his eyes and give his strength to her. Then his voice was in her mind- flowing gently-
Hold on, Rose. Don't let go of the sword!
I know, I won't. She replied in their bond, straining. I won't let go of it. I can't.
They both continued to fight and struggle, but thanks to Brooklyn's added strength, the sword suddenly began to inch towards Rose's outstretched hand.
More gasps erupted.
Titania looked relieved.
"Yes," Puck whispered, holding his hands together in fists. Having recovered from being thrown across the room. "Go, Rose. Come on, girl. Show him who's boss. Go… go… keep going!"
Oberon's eyes widened even more, and panic filled his thin face now. He was yelling, pulling back on the sword with everything he had, but still, it inched towards her outstretched fingers.
"AVALON!" He roared, screwing his eyes shut. "AID YOUR LORD AND MASTER!"
The Earth gave a considerable lurch, shaking the castle like an earthquake, while simultaneously, the room fully darkened in a dark red hue of shadow.
Rose strained to look up at the open ceiling, and terror struck her heart at what she saw. The moon was now at a total eclipse...
With another lurch of Earth, green magic suddenly encompassed every inch of Oberon, filling him with Avalon's power, and drew her attention back to the altercation in front of her. But, despite his tremendous power, the sword was still miraculously inching towards her.
Then it dawned on her as to why.
The sword only answered to those whose purpose was most noble, and if they were leaders or not. She and Brooklyn were leaders, and both of their reasons for needing the sword was greater than Oberon's, which meant that she could win.
Please, she thought to the universe, to Avalon, begging, don't let him win. Oberon and Demetrius have to be stopped. Please… let my powers be enough. Let us overcome him!
Rose's arm was burning from holding onto the sword, but to her great relief, the handle was inches from touching her fingertips. Any second now, it would be hers.
"GAHH!" Oberon roared out suddenly, raised his other hand, and sent a blast of magic at Brooklyn, blasting him off his feet, breaking their connection, and trapped him in a shield just like he did with the other gargoyles.
"Brooklyn!" Rose screamed out and instantly lost strength without him. However, to her utter bewilderment, the sword was inching for her hand still. Seeing this, Oberon roared out again, raised his other hand, and blasted magic at her this time. Except, it wasn't magic.
But iron chains.
They wrapped around her body and wings, coiling around her like a snake would its prey, bounding her limbs tightly to her body and making her lose balance. With a shocked cry, she fell painfully to the ground. The shield surrounding her and Oberon died, and the sword flew across the room into his outstretched hand.
More gasps exited the Children, but this time, their faces looked outraged.
From behind the shields, Coco screamed, "'E CHEATED! THE SON OF A BITC' BLOODY CHEATED!"
While King Arthur yelled in protest, "The Sword belongs to the one who is a leader born with a noble cause! You cannot-"
But Oberon sent a blast of magic at him, and a gold band flew over his mouth, silencing him.
"DISHONORABLE BASTARD!" Griff roared, slamming his fists against the electrified shield, to no avail. "YOU BLOODY GIT!"
Goliath and the rest of the clan were also roaring their opinions of injustice. Some were even screaming profanities. Still, Oberon paid them all no heed and advanced on Rose.
Brooklyn was also roaring against his shield, and, like the others, it electrocuted him and sent him flying backward into the wall every time.
Watching from the ground, Rose was straining and fighting against her chains, but every time she tried to move, they tightened in on themselves. They were now choking and squeezing every inch of her, including her stomach. She stopped moving and was gasping for air now.
Iron had never affected her before, but it now weakened her magic and burned her skin, distorting her world. However, despite her dizziness, she could still hear Brooklyn screaming out her name in warning.
Looking up, Oberon was advancing on her, eyes burning with hatred, and was holding the magical sword which could kill a Third Race being. It was a terrible sight to behold.
"I did not want to have to do this, but you've left me no choice!" His entire voice echoed through all space and time. "Like your mother and father before you, Rose Connelly, you are a menace and a danger to Avalon! You have violated my laws by challenging your Lord, by living outside of nature's laws, and being a child of my brother, Lord Demetrius, and the Goddess of Death, Hela, you have no place among us…"
He was standing over her now, holding Excalibur tightly in his hands. His eyes were ice-cold and unforgiving.
"... and neither does the child in which you and your gargoyle lover have created together."
Rose stopped straining against the chains now and froze.
The whole room went silent.
"No!" Brooklyn gasped, standing up. His face was screwed up with genuine panic. "No, NO! NO, OBERON! DON'T!"
Titania gasped. "No!"
From around the room, various Children began doing strange things. The Weird Sisters exchanged uncertain looks, Anubis suddenly stood up, Coyote stepped closer to them in nervous energy, the Lady of the Lake gasped, and Puck was pacing in the corner.
But Oberon ignored them all.
"You have mated with a species outside of your kind and created a child together," he whispered. "To do so is outside of natures' laws, and therefore, it cannot be allowed to live."
Rose's heart sank.
"No," she moaned, straining against the iron chains again, but they tightened themselves even more around her and made her breathing even more difficult to obtain. "Please. Don't do this, Oberon, I beg of you!"
But Oberon raised his hand to her, and his voice echoed with his glowing magic. "I, Oberon, Son of All-Father Aesir, and Lord of Avalon, do give my judgment to you, Rose Connelly. From this day forward, I strip you of all procreation…"
"NO!" Brooklyn roared, body-slamming himself into the powerful shields, burning himself and straining to get out. "NO, DAMN YOU! DON'T! NO! ROSE!"
"Please," Rose begged, unable to hardly breathe anymore from the chains. Tears were streaming down her face. "Lord Oberon, I beg of you… please… spare my child. Please! Don't take my baby away from me... I'll… I'll do anything!"
Oberon's eyes widened.
They both knew that those were the same words that Hela had said to him two-thousand years ago. His eyes were haunted by it for a brief moment, and then, they were enraged with madness.
"With the power vested in me and this magical sword of destiny, I take your child's life first… and then yours…"
Rose moaned and sobbed, "no, please…"
"... thus says, Oberon."
"NO! Take me instead!" Brooklyn roared. "OBERON! I'm the one who impregnated her! TAKE ME IN THEIR PLACE!"
But Oberon ignored him too.
Knowing it was hopeless, Rose closed her eyes and said good-bye to Brooklyn through their bond, telling him how much she loved him and how sorry she was.
Brooklyn's anguished roar was ripping her soul and heart apart, and the gargoyles' cries were about to make her go deaf, and this situation was just like the night Hela took her to Hel. However, the only consolation to her death was that Brooklyn was also shielded and wouldn't be able to throw himself in front of a sword for her and their unborn child, this time.
Oberon grabbed her by the scalp, stood her up, and then raised the sword to plunge into her abdomen.
Sobbing, Rose shut her eyes.
But Titania suddenly launched herself at them, screaming, "NO!" However, Oberon saw her coming; and with a blast of his magic, he sent his Queen flying across the room. She slammed into the stone table, ricocheted off its surface, and fell hard onto the stone floor.
Gasps and cries of outrage suddenly erupted from the Children. They now saw the madness in Oberon's eyes and knew that he had gone too far. Never would he have attacked his Queen in the past, and anyone who dared to do so knew that it was an obvious death sentence.
Having seen enough, Coyote roared out and launched magic at Oberon, which he deflected easily, but a chain reaction began as more Children came to her aid to stop their Lord. Luna, Seline, and Phoebe raised their hands and sent power streams of magic at him, but Oberon sent them flying away from him the same way he did Titania.
His mad eyes never left Rose's amber ones.
Odin jumped forward to restrain Oberon physically, but the moment he wrapped his arms around him, he was electrocuted and blasted off.
It was chaos now.
The Asgardians were jumping forward to join the fight, as other Children were tending to Titania.
Xanatos gave out a mighty roar, activated his exo-suit, and blasted into the air, shooting at Oberon. A few lasers hit him in the chest, but he created a shield around them.
"LET HER GO!" Xanatos roared out, pounding on his shield, but Oberon sent him flying away into a wall with a blast of lightning like the others. Xanatos yelped out in pain upon impact and crumbled to the ground.
Oberon gritted his teeth and went to stab the sword into Rose, but someone else stopped him. Rose opened her eyes, gasping, and to her utmost amazement, Puck had broken past his shield and was holding Oberon's arm.
Using his other hand, Puck summoned the nearby trees in the room to come to life and wrap their branches around Oberon. Although the trickster was no match for him, Rose was touched by what he was trying to do for her.
"You can't do this!" he screamed with his face drawn up more seriously than she'd ever seen before. "WE NEED HER!"
Oberon exploded. "ENOUGH MEDDLING! THIS FIGHT ENDS NOW!"
Puck was thrown across the room with a blast of light, along with a band of Asgardian soldiers who had also come to her aid.
The tree branches shattered, turned to ash, and with a thunderous boom, the large stone table in the middle of the room cracked right down its center, just as the foundations in his kingdom did, and the trust of all the Children and Asgardians.
They looked outraged and distrusting of the fae Lord they had once bowed down to. But still, Oberon burned with uncontrollable power, rage, and madness... it was too late to stop him.
"Please…" was all Rose could whisper again as he raised the sword. The iron left her weak and her mind fuzzy, and she was beginning to pass out from the ever-tightening of the chains.
Her death, she decided, would be a quick and painless one if she passed out. She would not know of the same pain that her mother had to endure when her child was ripped out of her womb. She just prayed that Brooklyn would eventually find the will to live, love, and be happy again.
"I've had my fill of your kind. Good-bye… daughter of Hel," Oberon hissed.
Rose shut her eyes, but she didn't feel the sword enter her body.
Instead, the Earth suddenly heaved and lurched again. The Castle swayed, and familiar darkness filled Rose's chest, but this time, it was dark magic.
Behind her, an ominous red flowing portal suddenly cracked open through the middle of the room, like a beast opening his jaws to take its prey, and a red shield caught the blade of Excalibur, stopping it inches from piercing through her abdomen.
Oberon released Rose with a shocked cry, and she fell painfully to the ground, still struggling to breathe through the chains. Turning on her side, she then saw who her savior was.
Coming out of the deadly, wispy shadows of the portal, the beautiful form of a Fae Goddess stepped out. Her long black hair was tied up in a high pony-tail, she was wearing a black body-suit of armor which looked like snakeskin, a crown of fire and thorns was upon her head, and her glowing red eyes were enraged.
Hela, the Goddess of Death, had arrived in Avalon and was saving her life.
But this didn't make Rose feel any better.
If her mother had arrived from Hel, then that meant the shields around Avalon had failed, and the rest of Hel, her father, and his armies were there, as well.
It meant that death had arrived on Avalon.
