A/N:

Hey everyone! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year since this will be the last post for this year ;-)

This is a long, action-packed chapter and I really hope you'll like it!

I'm gonna continue putting the disclaimer here just be sure that everyone is aware of where this story originated.

This story isn't 100 % mine. I have transformed it into a story from an interactive story app called Choices (an app I am completely obsessed with atm) and the creators are Pixelberry Studios.

So here's my disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the plot of this story. All recognizable content belongs to their respective owner. No copyright infringement intended. Names and places have been changed for the purpose of Fanfiction.

{Chapter 6}

The sea monster's colossal shadow passed directly under us. Everyone backed away from the edge of Angelique's boat.

Victoria screamed in fright and Angelique gasped.

"By the Devil himself. What … is … that?"

"It's Cetus," I said, recognizing the shape of the sea serpent. "He's come back for us."

The massive, serpentine form moved swiftly toward the large tree at the other side of the cove.

Something pressed behind my eyes and I closed my eyes, moaning at the uncomfortable feeling.

Victoria crouched in front of me. "Bella?! What's wrong—?"

But I couldn't see her and barely hear her. Somehow, I was back at the tree village watching the Kaarii scramble for safety as the water below them began to stir.

"It cannot be—" Harrvel mumbled in disbelief.

Emilyne frowned. "The Sea Guardian! Why is he here?!"

"I…"

Lightning sparked among the serpent's teeth as he rose out of the water.

"Look out!"

"Run!"

A javelin of lightning tore through the city, sending wooden shrapnel flying in every direction. The Kaarii screamed and fled in panic.

Emilyne started to scream out orders. "Harrvel! Get to the top! You must get to the elyyshar!" she screamed and pointed at the old Shaman.

"What will you do?" he asked.

"Hold out for as long as we can! Now go!"

As Harrvel hobbled through the fleeing Kaarii, he closed his eyes and prayed. "Please … Catalyst … if you can hear me … If you are truly destined to save our people … please … answer this prayer…"

I gasped when my mind returned to my body, and I was back on Angelique's boat. The others gazed across the bay at the horrifying sight, but only I knew of the real panic that had taken a hold of the village.

"Mon dieu…"

Benjamin was unable to look away. "He's like a slasher movie villain! You guys really blew him to hell, but he's back!"

"Looks like he wants more," Edward said.

"No," Garrett disagreed and shook his head. "He just looks pissed!"

"Why is he attacking the Kaarii?"

Leah turned away and looked at the horizon instead. "Don't know. Don't care. Just be glad you're not in that tree right now."

Rosalie nodded and copied Leah by turning away from the horrible sight. "Seriously. We need to get as far from that place as possible."

As Angelique's ship sailed in the strong wind for the opposite shore of the bay, a silence fell over the group.

The guilt inside threatened to choke me, and I knew I couldn't ignore what was happening. "We have to help them."

Tanya looked hesitant. "You … want to go back?"

"Dude. Are you insane?" Peter asked, questioning my sanity, and for once, I didn't blame him.

"Even if that weren't a total death wish, did you happen to forget that those people just imprisoned us for life?" Kate asked me.

Alistair glared at me from next to Tanya. "And that was only because they couldn't execute us!"

I nodded, acknowledging to all of them that they were right. "I know, but the truth is this could be our fault."

Kate crossed her arms defensively. "How exactly is that?"

"We angered the serpent last time, remember?" I told them.

Emmett frowned sadly. "You think that's why it's mad? Then … that's kind of not cool of us."

Peter agreed, changing side. "For real. I don't want none of this on my conscience, man."

Tanya glanced at me helplessly. "But what can we even do to help?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. And I know it sounds crazy. But lives are at stake right now. We have to try. No matter what happens, we have to."

"You already know I'm with you, Bella," Garrett said, and after him, the others immediately followed suit.

"Me too," Benjamin said.

Victoria nodded. "If you're going back, Bella, well … then I'm right behind you!"

"Way, way behind you. But pretty much there with ya," Rosalie consented.

Kate turned and glared at Edward. "The pilot sure is quiet right now."

Edward, who was sitting next to me, slung his arm over my shoulders. "Me? This is my girl's show. I'm just along for the ride."

It sent a thrill through me to hear him tell the others that I was his in such a comfortable manner. It made it even more official somehow.

Everyone looked around, trying to find courage in each other's gaze.

Emmett swallowed hard. "So, we're seriously doing this?"

"Looks like we're doing it!" Peter groaned.

Angelique stared at us all in shock. "You must be joking! You all belong in the madhouse! You may have a death wish, but I'm not sticking my neck out."

I reassured her. "Just get us close, Angelique. We'll do the rest."

Angelique turned her vessel and steered it near the shore not far from the tree city. All of us hopped off into the rising storm tide … all except one.

I turned to her. "Leah?"

She refused to make eye contact. "I can't. There's too much at stake for me. I can't risk not finishing what I came here to do."

"At least one of you has any sense about you," Angelique mumbled to herself.

I ignored her and pleaded with Leah. "Leah … this isn't you!"

Leah frowned. "You don't know that ... you … you don't know me at all. This is me. Doing what I have to do."

I looked at her sadly. "If that's what you gotta tell yourself."

I turned away and headed up the beach as Angelique pointed her ship to the open bay. I didn't get very far, though.

"Bella! Wait up!"

I turned back around and saw Leah swimming to shore and then run through the tide to join us. I smiled.

"I'm coming with you," she said when she reached us.

"But why?" Kate questioned.

"I'm looking out for what really matters," she replied shortly.

As Angelique's boat sailed away, fading into the storm, she waved goodbye and called out. "I wish you all bon chance … but you can't save everyone!"

"Guess we'll die trying then!" Garrett called back.

"Ah, mes jeunes martyrs … Au revoir!"

Angelique and her ship vanished into the fog.

We started to run up the beach when Edward grabbed my hand and pulled me back.

"What's—"

He kissed me hard, pulling me close as the tide washed around our ankles.

"What was that for?" I asked when he leaned away.

"What? It's a good luck kiss," he said with a smirk.

"You think your kisses are lucky?"

"Why don't you tell me?" He kissed me again and ran his fingers through my hair. I couldn't hold in my small moan, and I pushed him away when I noticed that I was losing focus.

"I think you've given me enough luck to last me throughout the night now," I told him with a laugh.

"Alright, but let me know if you start to run low and I'll charge it up again." He winked, and then we ran after the group to catch up with them at the base of the enormous tree city.

Shouts of battle and pain could be heard from above us.

We jogged up the grand wood-carved staircase that climbed the tree's massive roots, and as soon as we reached the top, I saw Emilyne, the war chief, marshaling her troops, giving them orders in the Kaarii native language.

Then, they spotted us and started to shout in outrage. The soldiers spread out to flank us with their weapons drawn.

Rosalie glared at me. "See, this is why we should've kept going."

Edward held up his hands in surrender while still making sure that he was just slightly in front of me. "Just take it easy! We're here to help!"

Emilyne frowned. "How did you escape Sharktooth Isle?" she asked in English.

Kate rolled her eyes. "We called an Uber. Who cares?"

The soldiers started to shout again, but this time also in English for our benefit. "It's their fault! They summoned the Guardian Cetus to destroy Elyys'tel!"

"And now they have come to finish us off!"

Victoria shook her head. "No, that's—"

"We should have killed them when we had the chance!"

"We still do," Emilyne replied coldly and drew her gleaming obsidian dagger. "You have brought ruin to my people … but at least I can still bring ruin to yours."

"Bring it on," Leah said and readied herself to fight.

Suddenly, Jacorel rushed in, saw the commotion and stopped short. "Benjamin!"

Benjamin gave him a small wave. "Uh, hey, Jacorel. Long time, no see."

At Emilyne's signal, the Kaarii warriors started to close in on us, bows drawn and spears aimed.

A noise from above had us all look up, and then, a Kaarii archer slumped forward, hanging motionless over a tree branch.

Alice, who had just knocked him out, took his bow and aimed it at Emilyne's head. "Back off, lady!"

Emilyne sneered and raised a fist to halt her warriors' progress. "I was afraid you were going to make this too easy."

Tanya called out. "Alice, no, you're making this worse."

Alice shook her head. "I'm sorry, Tanya, but I can't let anything bad happen to my group."

A pair of guards closed in to protect Emilyne, but she waved them off. "It is no matter. Puny girl doesn't know how to use—"

A perfectly placed arrow whizzed past Emilyne's head. One of her braids fell to the ground, cleanly sliced off.

"Keep talking if you want me to finish your haircut."

Edward lowered his voice and leaned closer to me. "If Alice kills the Un-Jolly Green Giant, it'll just prove what they already think about us."

"Stand down, Alice!" I ordered her. I hoped she would listen to me since I had kind of been chosen to be the leader, but I knew there was a huge side of Alice's personality that I knew nothing about, and I wasn't sure if she could be completely trusted yet.

She glanced at me. "But … Well, if you say so." She tossed the bow away, only slightly disgruntled.

Emilyne huffed.

"We told you. We're here to help," I said determinedly.

"The Catalysts of legend were famously cunning. How can we trust this isn't a trap?" she questioned me.

"That's all you can do. Trust."

Emilyne narrowed her eyes.

"Hi, Cat-a-liss!" The little Kaarii boy I saw after the tribunal skipped into the circle of spears and waved at me happily.

Emilyne's eyes widened. "Sether! What are you doing? Get out of here!"

"Why? I wanted to say hi to the Cat-a-lissus. And I brought my slingshot to fight Cetus! Do you like it?" Sether held up a rudimentary slingshot made from a Y-shaped branch.

I was speechless and didn't know what to say to him, but luckily, Edward was there to save me.

"Yeah, kid, it's great."

Emmett also jumped in. "I think it's pretty sick!"

"You have to go, Sether!" Emilyne tried again.

"Why?"

"It's too dangerous."

"That's okay. The Cat-a-lissus are here to save us!" Sether looked around at the spears and furrowed his brow. "Are you guys playing a game? Come on, the bad guy is this way!" He charged out of the circle, slingshot raised.

Emilyne and I looked at each other, and she signaled her warriors to lower their weapons.

"I'm the war chief here," she said. "You do as I say when I say it. One false move and I feed you to Cetus myself. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," Edward replied, but it only caused her to frown in confusion.

"What do the crystals have to do with this?" she asked.

Edward looked extremely uncomfortable as he tried to explain. "It's a figure of speech. We'll work on those."

Emilyne waved him away. "Bah. Come, our defenses are this way. It's time to see how you handle yourselves on the field of battle, Catalysts." She smirked at us. "The beautiful thing about battle is that it always reveals one's true colors."

We followed the Kaarii troops up a winding staircase around the base of the tree. On the upper level, Kaarii Warriors' manned catapults that launched flaming rocks at Cetus, but the beast was occupied with attacking the tree top.

The creature chomped down on a massive branch and snapped it off, sending Kaarii archers falling into the frothing sea.

Emilyne didn't give us orders to man any weapons of our own, but, instead, continued upward.

"Emilyne, where are we going?" I asked her.

"The Sea Guardian is attacking the very peak of the city," she replied but didn't elaborate further.

Jacorel looked worried as he glanced at Cetus and then toward the treetop he was attacking. "My mother is up there," he said. "I will not allow her to die while others run for their lives."

"Why is Cetus doing this?" Victoria asked curiously.

Emilyne clenched her jaw. "We don't know."

Jacorel turned to us. "Cetus sinks any vessel that wanders far from the island shores … but he has never attacked Elyys'tel itself."

"First time for everything," Leah said cynically.

I bent my neck and looked at the serpent intently. "It's clear what we have to do," I said, and then faced the others. "We need to find out why he's here."

Alistair scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Oh! And pray tell how do you plan on finding that out? A sit-down interview?"

"No, Bella's right!" Tanya agreed with me. "I mean, look at this specimen! He's surely impossible to kill. All behavior is driven by biology. If we find out the cause, we address the effect!"

Alistair shuffled his feet a bit. "Er, right. That is what I meant."

"Then we go to the top, to the focus of Cetus's attack. And we discover what the beast wants," Jacorel said, and then Sether appeared next to him.

"The elevator's on the other side of the city. Come one!"

Emilyne groaned when she saw the boy. "Sether, go to the hills with the other children! That is an order!"

"No, I want to fight." He scampered ahead with his slingshot.

"He's going to get himself hurt," Garrett stated with a troubled expression.

"His parents were fishermen. One day, a storm blew them too far out to the sea," Emilyne explained, and I instantly understood what she was saying.

"Cetus killed them?"

She nodded somberly.

Victoria looked at the boy with blank eyes. "That's so sad. He has no family."

Emilyne shook her head with passion. "No. We are all his family here. I look—look out!"

High above us, Cetus tore off another gigantic branch. It plummeted down straight toward us and the catapult operators fled.

"Run!"

Edward grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the way while Peter picked up Rosalie into his arms and sprinted to safety, just before the branch smashed through the walkway we'd just been standing on.

Rosalie exhaled in relief. "That was close," she whispered, and then she realized she was cradled in Peter's arms, with her hands draped over his neck. "You … Put. Me. Down."

Peter swallowed and didn't dare to meet her eyes. "Yeah, that's my bad. It's okay. Nobody saw us."

"Um … pretty sure he saw us." Kate pointed up.

Cetus gazed down at us from twenty stories up, fangs glistening and crackling with electricity.

"Quick! Man the catapults!" Emilyne ordered us.

Peter, Rosalie, and Kate ran to one catapult, while Alistair and Tanya hurried to another. I joined them, and as Jacorel and Emilyne loaded another launcher, they shouted to us over the storm.

"You must crank the wheel before you can load the shot!

" Ignite it with the torch. Then pull the lever to fire."

"Very well, we can remember that simply enough … right?" Alistair looked at me and I squared my shoulders in determination.

Cetus coiled up and his enormous head loomed closer.

I cranked the wheel, Alistair loaded the shot, and Tanya ignited it.

"And pull!" I cried out.

Alistair yanked the lever. The catapult arms sprung forward and sent its fiery ammunition arcing into the sky. It hit our target and Cetus let out a ferocious roar.

"We got him!" Tanya exclaimed happily.

"B-5 … It's a hit!"

"Nice. Our turn, let's show 'em how it's done," Rosalie told her crew, and they prepared their catapult like we had.

Their shot slammed directly into Cetus's face.

Peter pulled Rosalie and Kate into a group hug. "Chyeah, boiii!"

Kate and Rosalie excitedly high-fived, and then looked at each other awkwardly.

Peter bellowed up at Cetus, who was shaking off the catapult attack. "Ha, you want some more! Come at me, bro!"

Cetus looked straight at Peter and coiled to attack again.

"Bro, he's coming at me!"

"Take cover!" I yelled.

Electricity arced between Cetus's teeth, slowly intensifying. Lightning shot forth from Cetus's maw and blew up the other's catapult into a hail of splinters.

"This dude is way too O.P.!" Rosalie yelled from her hiding place.

"There are more catapults. We must keep them firing to give us time to reach the tree top!" Emilyne yelled back.

"We're on it. You guys keep going!" Tanya told us.

"Yeah, we'll cover your ass!" Peter agreed and joined Tanya by the intact catapult.

Jacorel gestured for us to follow. "Hurry, the elevator is this way."

Emilyne and Jacorel lead the rest of us to one of the great elevators of Elyys'tel, which turned out to be several massive wooden platforms ascending the height of the great tree, suspended from gigantic iron chains.

"Everyone get on. This will bring us near the top."

As the elevator rose, I watched the battle rage around us.

"This elevator is incredible," Alice said in complete awe.

"How can it lift so much? What do you use as counterweights?" Leah asked, and Jacorel pointed up to the enormous iron ship anchors that were descending on the other end of the chain.

"Many ancient ships met their demise in the jaws of Cetus. My people built some of their earliest works from their bones."

The elevator rocked as it reached its peak. We all disembarked and looked around.

We were now at the height of Cetus's head, and we watched from our short distance as the titanic beast tore at the branches of the tree.

"Come," Jacorel ushered us. "We will circle around the inland side to avoid— Sether!"

Emilyne whirled around to see Sether running toward Cetus. "No!"

"What is he doing?!" I exclaimed in pure panic as I saw the boy get closer to the monster.

"Hey, ugly!" Sether pulled back his slingshot and launched a pebble at the creature. It plunked off his head. "Go away! Leave my friends alone!"

Cetus's head slowly turned to face the boy, dwarfing him. Rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth gleamed in the flashing lighting.

"No!" Emilyne yelled again, and I acted out of pure instinct.

"Sether, no!" I dashed forward, tackling Sether out of the way just as Cetus's teeth took a huge bite out of the wooden walkway. I picked up the boy and carried him out of Cetus's reach.

"Did you see that Emilyne? The Cat-a-liss saved me!" Sether said excitedly and beamed at me. "Can you be my hero? I wanna be just like you!"

Emilyne knelt down, grabbing his shoulder. "Stupid, stupid child!"

Sether's eyes went blank and he started sniffling. "I'm … sniff … sorry, Emilyne."

She pulled him into a tight embrace and looked up at me. "You … saved him."

"You sound surprised."

"That is because I am. But … thank you. If we survive this battle together, I will repay you."

Meanwhile, Cetus redoubled his attacks on the treetop.

"The Guardian is trying to get to the throne room!" Jacorel realized with dread.

Emilyne frowned. "The elyyshar. She is inside, yes?"

"I hope. I am afraid, though. I have never seen Cetus act this way, with such purpose."

Garrett spoke up. "We can't know what he's after if we can't get into the throne room and right now, there are about ten thousand huge teeth in the way."

"We have to distract him somehow," I said.

"Come. I have something in mind." Jacorel lead us to the inland side of Elyys'tel where several small aircrafts awaited.

Alice frowned in confusion. "Hang gliders?"

"They were built for the three tribes' war. Warriors would fly over Quarr'tel under cover of night and drop … er…"

"Bombs?" Benjamin suggested when Jacorel couldn't seem to find the word.

He nodded. "Yes. That is the word. Bomb of fire."

"Incendiary bombs. Those oughta do some damage." Edward ran his hand along one of the gliders, a sleek craft of wooden struts and canvas wings. "Not bad. Looks like it fits a two-man crew. One pilot, one bomber. My old squad leader, Commander McKenzie, he'd have us in pairs too."

Jacorel looked at Edward hesitantly. "These gliders. They are very difficult to fly. Very responsive. Takes a warrior years of training—"

"Don't worry about it, Blue's Clues. I just need a co-pilot." Edward grinned at me.

"I'll take one too," Garrett said and Emmett bounded up to him.

"Yeah! Let's do this."

Edward looked at the guys with uncertainty. "Okay, they might need a little help."

A few minutes later, I was hooked into a glider's lower harness, with Edward locked in just above me.

"You ready for this?" he asked.

"How can anyone ever be ready for this?" I asked back as I felt my heart thundering in my chest. I wasn't afraid of heights or flying, on planes, but this was a completely different level of those two things combined.

"Yeah, it was a dumb question," Edward replied.

Next to us, the other two pairs got into their own gliders: Emmett and Garrett, then Jacorel and Benjamin.

Emmett was grinning big. "This is sweet. So how do we get airborne?"

"You walk to the edge and step off," Jacorel replied calmly.

"Anyone else suddenly developing a fear of heights?" Benjamin asked shakily.

I peered over the edge of the platform and swallowed. A slight hit of vertigo kicked in as I stared down the long drop. "This … will be interesting."

Edward counted down. "One … two … three!"

We tipped over the edge, and the glider plummeted, nose straight down.

I couldn't hold in my scream as the ground rushed toward us.

"Come on, baby!" Edward mumbled above me.

Finally the canvas wings caught the air and sent us hurtling back into the sky.

"Wooooo-hoo!" Edward exclaimed. "Isn't this awes—oh crap."

Lightning was shot straight at us, but Edward twisted, barrel rolling around the bolt.

I exhaled in relief when we were safely out of the way.

Jacorel's glider swooped nearby with Benjamin beneath him. "Very good! I am impressed! Perhaps one day if you work very hard for many years, you will be as good as me!"

Edward grinned. "Oh yeah? Gimme five minutes!"

Benjamin turned his head right and left. "Hey, does anybody see—"

Just then, another glider went rocketing past us, spinning out of control.

Emmett and Garrett's panicked screams could be heard over the storm, and I gasped as I saw them go down.

"They're totally out of control!" Benjamin exclaimed.

The glider straightened out slightly, but just barely, and I could hear Garrett yelling something at Emmett, but couldn't make out the words.

Cetus fired a blast of lightning at Benjamin and Jacorel, who deftly dodged it, and then, all of us closed in on him.

"The bombs are in the satchels hanging from the wings! Throw them at Cetus when we fly past!" Jacorel yelled across to us.

I reached over into the satchel and grabbed a small wooden sphere. I threw it at Cetus, but the storm winds blew it off-course.

The same happened to Benjamin.

"The wind's too strong! We can't hit him!"

"Let's see you try it, Cap!" Edward called at Garrett.

Garrett cocked his arm back and launched a fastball, but even that got swept quickly into a waterspout. "Dammit! We gotta get closer!"

"You wanna get closer to that thing?!" Emmett screamed.

"Edward, can you get me in there?" I asked.

"Yeah, but it's gonna take some tight turns. I need you to lean your body weight with me to pull it off. Just focus on the feel. Then when we're close … drop holy hell on this Godzilla wannabe!"

"Consider it dropped!"

"Then here we go."

Edward steered the glider straight toward Cetus, flying dangerously close. We dodged blast after blast of lightning. Edward swerved, laser-focused, and we worked in perfect tandem.

"We're in! Drop some of the bombs, Princess!"

"How about all of them?"

I yanked the knot holding the bomb satchel closed, and the bag poured open. Two dozen explosives dropped onto Cetus's head with high booms.

As Cetus writhed from the attack, Edward flew our glider close by his head.

The glow from his esca, the illuminated tentacle on his head, nearly blinded me. I shielded my eyes and saw the outline of something inside it.

Time seemed to slow down as I stared at it, enraptured. I didn't hear Edward's voice until it was too late.

"Bank left! Bank l—"

The bolt blasted through the wing, and the glider caught fire.

"Gotta eject! Hold onto me!" Edward called out and steered the glider low over one of the platforms, and then detached our harnesses.

We fell a few feet, and Edward pivoted so that he was under me before we landed hard on the deck. We rolled together to a stop as the glider crashed and burned.

I looked down at Edward in awe. "Edward you broke my fall."

He sat up and I leaned away while looking apologetically at him as he winced. "Yep. Not regretting it at all. Not one bit."

With our glider down, Cetus turned his attention to Emmett and Garrett who were still completely out of control. They appeared disoriented and confused and flew in and out of the monster's mouth.

However, just a few second later, a boom went off in Cetus's mouth, and I understood that they had left the entire satchel of bombs in there.

Smoke drifted out from the serpent's mouth, and he was visibly shaken. He crashed forward, straight through the great tree's elevator. The platform shattered and Cetus got caught in the iron chains. He pulled away but the massive anchor was stuck on a thick branch that limited his movements.

Emmett and Garrett crash-landed a few stories below us and shouted up to me.

"You guys keep going. We'll catch up!"

Jacorel helped me to stand up. "Come, Bella, now is our chance."

Inside the audience hall, we found several Kaarii huddled fearfully around the throne.

Harrvel's face lit up with joy. "The Catalysts are here! We are saved!"

Edward stepped forward. "We need to get everyone out of this glorified tree house before freakachu out there goes full lumberjack and tears the place down."

Saraya frowned in sadness. "I'm afraid we cannot evacuate. Many in the village are too old, too young or too sick. Catalysts, my war chief tells me you've been fighting side-by-side with the Kaarii to protect Elyys'tel."

"We're here to help," Leah said and gave me an almost imperceptible nod.

Saraya nodded somberly. "You have my gratitude. Right now, what we truly need is a means of quelling the Sea Guardian's anger."

I stepped forward. "Actually … I may have an idea about that. Cetus has one of the Catalyst Idols in his esca, that light on his head."

Harrvel's eyes lit up with understanding. "Ah! That explains much … Do you remember the ritual I performed at the tribunal? That was meant to attune you with your kaalta. If the Sea Guardian possesses one of the idols, the ritual must've drawn him to this location." He gestured behind him to where the idols we had collected sat by the throne.

"So he's going after the idols?" Alice asked to clarify.

As the others talked, I noticed Victoria falter. She leaned against the wall and slid down it to the floor. Kate and I headed over to her.

"Vicky? What's wrong?"

Victoria tried to smile. "Just … a little winded."

Kate checked her pulse. "Your pulse is really slow."

"I'm fine, I—" She tried to push herself up but couldn't.

"You just rest here, okay?" I hurriedly told her,

She frowned. "I won't quit, Bella. I'm not gonna give up."

"I know. I'm not asking you to. I need you to keep fighting. That's why you have to rest."

Victoria swallowed and nodded.

Emilyne's voice pulled me back into the other's conversation. "We must decide on a strategy. Now."

"We should take the idols and get them out of the city," I said. "Someone takes what Cetus wants and flies a glider inland, out of reach."

Edward nodded in agreement with my plan. "Don't give the big bastard a reason to stick around."

Garrett didn't look very certain of it, though. "Whoever does that might not survive the escape."

"Certainly not," Jacorel said. "We have one glider intact, and it's right in front of him. It is impossible for us all to survive this!"

"We must try," Harrvel insisted. "All that matters is the idols. They are our key to finding the Endless."

"I don't see you volunteering, Harrvel," Emilyne growled.

"Harrvel is right."

Jacorel's eyes widened as he stared at his mother. "Wha—?"

"The idols guide our way to our Oracle, the Endless One. Without them, we may not survive Raan'losti. We cannot give them up. Have faith. We will reach that glider," she vowed in an authoritative voice.

After preparing ourselves for the final encounter with the monster outside, we left the throne room, ready to face Cetus.

Jacorel crouched with me behind cover. "We must move with haste. As soon as Cetus notices us, he may quickly destroy the glider."

Benjamin tensed up. "I'm ready."

I looked at my bestie worriedly. "Are you sure, Benji?"

Benjamin took the small woven bag containing the idols. "I can do this."

Edward pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head reassuringly. "I'll get him outta here safe and sound," he vowed, and I nodded appreciatively. I wasn't too worried about him. Edward was just tough in ways Benjamin wasn't.

"Then we go," Jacorel said. "On my count. One … Two…"

"Where is she going?" Alice asked, pulling our attention in the other direction. She pointed in the direction of the edge of the city where Saraya was walking toward the Guardian.

"Hear me, Sea Guardian!" she called out with a strong voice and drew back her bow and launched a single, plain arrow. It stuck into Cetus's side, hardly a pinprick.

"Mother!" Jacorel called for her in panic and got up to go after her.

"Saraya, come back!" I yelled.

"What is she doing?" Alice questioned.

"She's giving us a distraction, and we're wasting it!" Leah replied urgently.

Saraya launched another arrow. "Hear me!"

Finally, Cetus turned to her. Lightning bloomed on his teeth as he charged up.

"Dammit, Ben, we've gotta go! Now!"

As Edward and Benjamin made a break for the glider, Jacorel ran after Saraya.

"Mother!"

Saraya looked back at her son. Even from where I was crouching, I could see the tears in her eyes. "You were right, my son. It is impossible for us all to survive this."

"No!" Jacorel ran as fast as he could, but he was too far away.

"The people look to you now … elyyshar."

The lightning arced down, engulfing Saraya.

When my eyes had readjusted, all I saw was her body, crumpled on the walkway.

"Nooooo!" Jacorel dashed to her side, picking her up and cradling her. She was barely breathing and her eyes fluttered closed. "Mother, please. I cannot be elyyshar. You must lead us through this!"

He reached for the blue crystals of her necklace, but she grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

She shook her head weakly. "Some … choices … must … last…"

She went limp, and Jacorel trembled out of anguish in the rain. Behind him, the great Sea Guardian loomed.

A noise attracted Cetus's attention. He turned in time to see Benjamin and Edward flying toward the center of the island.

"They did it. They're safe," Leah said, but immediately afterward Cetus turned away from Jacorel and watched Benjamin and Edward instead. Suddenly I felt an energy in the air, and my hair stood on end.

"Do you guys feel that?"

"Oh no…"

Right in front of Edward's glider, a tornado descended from the sky.

Leah gaped. "Did this thing just make a tornado out of thin air?!"

Emilyne nodded. "Yes … Cetus is the storm."

The tornado's wind overpowered Edward's glider and spun them back toward Cetus.

Fear gripped me, and I ran over to Jacorel. "Jacorel, we have to do something! Cetus is bringing Edward and Benjamin back! We have to save them!"

"How could I?" Jacorel asked downcast. "I couldn't even save my own mother."

I grabbed his shoulder. "We have to save them! They need you. Benjamin needs you. He will die right now unless you do something! I know you won't let that happen, Jacorel! I know you won't let him get hurt!"

Jacorel stirred. He got up to his feet and looked at the sky. "Benjamin," he said quietly, and then scanned the environment for an idea. "We have to force a retreat, and we don't have much time."

In the sky, Edward's glider was getting closer to Cetus every second.

"But how? The catapults, the bombs, we don't have any attack that's strong enough," I said desperately. I was so scared at this point because not only was my best friend in danger, my boyfriend was, too.

"We do not. But he does." Jacorel pointed at Cetus.

"Yes!" Leah exclaimed. "That's it. Find a way to use his own electric attack against him!"

"The anchor!" I exclaimed, an idea forming in my mind. "He's still caught in the anchor's chain from when he crashed into the elevator!"

"And the metal will conduct the electricity back to him! Bella, you're a genius!" Alice exclaimed and jumped up and down.

"That is the plan," Jacorel said determinedly. "We get Cetus to hit the anchor with a ball of lightning! There is only one thing that can lure him now, and it is in Benjamin's hands!"

"An idol? But how? The satchel is up in the air with Benjamin, and there are no gliders left!" I realized with dread.

"There are no intact gliders left." He climbed into the glider Edward and I crashed earlier, with a burnt hole in one wing.

"This is crazy. You'll hardly be able to maneuver!" I insisted.

"It will last long enough. It may be more difficult while carrying the idol satchel alone … but I must do it."

"Good thing you won't be alone then." I climbed into the second harness. "I'll get the bag. You fly."

Jacorel nodded and dropped the glider over the edge. We caught air, wobbling slightly from the hole in the wing, but managed to head toward Edward and Benjamin.

Edward spotted me. "Princess, what the hell are you doing?" he yelled in panic. It was obvious he didn't like that I was there, in the center of danger.

"Benji, just toss me the bag!" I called, ignoring Edward.

"What?! Why?!"

"We have a plan," Jacorel said to back me up.

Benjamin looked into Jacorel's eyes and nodded. He threw me the bag, which I caught with both hands.

Edward looked at us with worried eyes and then locked gazes with Jacorel. "Take good care of Bella, Jacorel! That's my girl you've got there!"

Jacorel nodded at him and flew the tattered glider back toward Elyys'tel where Cetus waited. Electricity once more crackled among his teeth, preparing to strike us down.

"He's looking right at us! The plan's working!" I said to Jacorel.

"We must make it to the anchor!"

Cetus fired again and again and each time, Jacorel managed to dodge the bolt.

"We are … almost … there!"

"Come on!"

Cetus spit more lightning, right as Jacorel dove behind the ship's anchor dangling from the tree branches. The beast's aim was true, striking the iron anchor and channeled the massive current down the chain and into Cetus himself.

Stunned, the serpent slumped against the tree, his head rested upon a building.

Jacorel brought us in for a soft landing, and I hopped out.

Emilyne came up to us. "You have wounded the serpent … but he yet lives!"

I pointed toward the esca. "There! Look!"

We could see the outline of the Catalyst idol encased in the bulb on Cetus head.

Emilyne drew her blade. "I will mount the beast's head and cut it out of him!"

"Get me my damn trophy," I told her through clenched teeth. That particular idol called out to me, and I wanted it.

With an eager grin, Emilyne ran and with a stunning leap, vaulted onto Cetus's head and grabbed his esca by the stem. "My pleasure."

She slashed straight through the thin tentacle, but as she did so, the bulb released the idol. It rolled down Cetus's head and fell off the edge.

"No!" I ran toward the edge only to watch it pass by, plummeting down toward the sea. I frowned and made the fast decision to go after it.

"Bella!" Leah called after me when she realized what I was about to do. "What are you doing?! Are you crazy?!"

I leaped from the top platform of Elyys'tel, weightless as I plunged through space.

"Come on…" I mumbled and reached out with my fingertips. The golden glint of the idol grew closer and closer. I grabbed it right before I hit the water—

I was sitting on the bed in Benjamin's familiar dorm room. Nearby, he was trying on a shirt, checking himself out in the mirror. The thudding bass from Saturday night frat parties wafted through the window.

"Okay … I guess this looks good enough," Benjamin said insecurely.

"Relax! You look great!" I reassured him.

"Maybe I'll actually make some friends this time." He sighed. "Or I could stop kidding myself, stay in tonight, and binge some Netflix."

I stood up. "Hey, what's wrong? You were talking about going to this party all week."

He glanced at me. "I did promise myself I'd go."

"I'm fine either way," I said, not wanting to pressure him into anything he didn't want to do. "I think we've still got ice cream in the mini fridge."

Benjamin groaned. "Ugh, come on, I'll just go. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna do it. Sometimes I just … wish I had someone … special."

"Benji, you are an amazing guy. You'll find someone. I know it. One day, you'll meet someone outta nowhere, and it'll be exactly who you've been looking for all along."

A shy smile slowly spread on Benjamin's face.

Suddenly, there was a knocking sound.

"Hello?" Benjamin called out and opened the door. "That's weird." He stepped out into the hallway to look around.

"Who is it?"

I got up to follow Benjamin out and suddenly the world around me blurred. The room stretched to the horizon.

"Benji? What's … what's happening?"

I struggled to keep my balance, and I finally made it to the doorway and followed him out the door into pitch blackness. I looked back toward the room, but it was gone.

"Benjamin?"

I walked forward through the void until I was in a rainforest. The peak of the volcanic Mount Suerte was barely visible through the canopy. In my hands was a small shovel.

I heard a clinking sound and looked down at the ball chain hanging around my neck: dog-tags. I pulled them up, wiped away the grime to see the embossed name. 'Masen, Edward Anthony.'

I whirled around; my heart pounding in fear.

I was alone.

My body was stained with dirt … and blood.

"Edward!"

I couldn't hear a single sound.

"Edward!" I tried again. "Benjamin! … Anyone?"

I trudged forward and eventually broke through the edge of the trees.

"Where am I?" I asked myself. Before me was an ornate cave entrance. It looked like the mouth of a fanged animal.

I entered cautiously. Each footstep echoed in the chamber.

"Vicky? Leah? You guys in here?"

Slowly my eyes adjusted and I pressed forward until I stepped on a mound of dirt.

"What the—"

I stepped back and saw more of them. I counted and then looked down at the dirty shovel in my hands.

Eleven mounds of dirt in a row … eleven graves.

"No … no, no, no."

I hit the sea water after my enormous fall. I sank down deep into darkness. My fingers still clutched the idol.

The current around me moves and I looked to my left and saw Cetus burned and wounded, slipping back into the water.

His enormous body and tail continued so far into the sea I couldn't see where they ended.

As Cetus sank beneath the waves, he turned his lifeless gaze to me one last time and then he left, vanishing into the depths.

I swam through the dark, finally breaching the surface.

Trudging up the beach, I heard the massive cheer going up from the Kaarii as they watched Cetus retreat.

"Yi-yi-yiiiii!"

"Ayyaaa!"

Edward and Benjamin returned, landing their glider, and Edward immediately ran to me, embraced me tightly, and kissed me passionately. His dog-tags grazed my fingers and the feeling of pure relief washed over me, and I clutched him even tighter.

"That was some quick thinking to bail us out back there. I guess I owe you one," he mumbled into my hair in an attempt to bring the humor back.

"I'm sorry, babe, but your tab is waaay past one," I replied to his teasing into his shirt, but my heart was thundering just as fast as his was.

I felt his grin, and he laughed, but it was still a bit strained. I understood him completely because I had never been as worried about another person as I had when Cetus had turned on him and Benjamin, and I was so relieved they were both okay. I guess he felt the same about me.

"Hey, have you seen Jacorel?" Benjamin asked, coming up to the two of us.

A hush fell over the city.

Benjamin turned around to see Jacorel carrying Saraya's body. As he passed, one by one, the Kaarii knelt to their new elyyshar.

A few hours later, as the last of the storm clouds dispersed, the Kaarii gathered in a jubilant procession through the rubble of their village.

Peter looked slightly confused. "Kinda weird to have a parade when everything's destroyed, ya know?"

Harrvel hobbled up next to him to explain."The elyyshar's coronation must happen as soon as the predecessor passes on. Through peace and war, the line of succession remains constant."

"Yeah, dummy!" Sether said and chuckled at Peter.

"Hey! Only my friends can call me that! We ain't friends yet, kid!" Peter said, but the smile on his face made it obvious he wasn't offended.

"Hee hee, I like this Cat-a-liss!"

Emilyne approached me. "Catalyst. I have something for you if you wish." She handed me a neatly folded set of Kaarii clothes.

"What is this?" I asked.

"You proved yourself one of us today. This is the honored attire of a Kaarii warrior hero. You have earned it."

I put the softly woven, green clothes on and they fit perfectly. It was an outfit consisting of a crop-top-like halter and a loin-cloth-esque skirt. I was amazed that, despite the clothes not covering much, my breasts felt supported and I didn't feel too exposed. I could understand how it was possible to fight in the clothes, and I felt completely comfortable.

"Impressive," Emilyne said. "You do not do the uniform as much shame as I anticipated."

"That's probably the nicest thing you've ever said," I told her.

"Top five, certainly."

Kate turned around and saw me. "Wow. Lookin' good, Bella!"

Emmett gaped. "Whaaaa, Bella looks so cool! How come I don't get one?"

Emilyne looked at him. "Because you are not yet a hero of the Kaarii people."

"Come on, dude! I flew a glider into that thing's mouth!" he insisted.

"On purpose?"

He shrugged. "Whatever, I'll just make my own hero clothes."

"You will not," Emilyne said, her tone saying it would offend every Kaarii if he attempted it.

"Watch me," Emmett said and grinned.

Emilyne turned away from him and back to me. "Ahem. There is one more thing to give you, Catalyst. And this time, I insist. Please. Follow me. Alone."

"Um … okay." I followed Emilyne along a winding tree path, up a narrow flight of stairs, to a small outdoor grove, where a steaming, sumptuous meal had been laid out on a small table.

"Surprise!" Sether said, jumping out in front of me.

"What … what is…?"

"In our culture, when one saves the life of another, that debt must be repaid. First a feast … then with a great gift."

"You saved me, so we feed you!" Sether said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh, I … I mean, you don't have to..." I said, unable to find words.

"It would be a great dishonor if you were to decline," Emilyne said with a frown.

"Then I'd be happy to eat!" I hurriedly said, absolutely not wanting to offend the war chief now that I was finally on her good side.

I pulled up a seat at the table, and right away, several kittens, their fur hot pink and blue, paced around me, nuzzling my feet as they purred. Furball bounded around, happily yipping as they played with him.

"You're a big cat person, huh?" I asked Emilyne.

"I've long found that cats make the best companions," she replied and sat down. One of the kittens immediately jumped up in her lap, and she stroke its fur lovingly.

"They're her only friends!" Sether stated.

"Sether!"

"It's true!"

I reached down and scratched behind one of the kitten's ears. Its fur changed color as it purred.

"Please. Eat," Emilyne urged me.

"Right!"

I looked at the table. There was a delicious-smelling plate of fish and crab, a bowl of what looked like a berry salad, and a big goblet with some kind of blue fluid.

I reached for the salad first and looked closer into the bowl. There were big flavorful leaves, thick glistening berries, and what looked like a spicy honey glaze.

"This looks amazing," I complimented and took a bit. It was perfection. Sweet and spicy with salad so crisp it was out of this world. "Wow … just wow…"

"You like it?"

"It's … divine," I said honestly. There was no other way to describe it.

"I told Emilyne to put extra berries!" Sether said proudly.

"Good thinking!"

"They're known as mezzberries, and grow only on this tree," Emilyne explained. "They say if you share one with your lover, the two of you will be together forever."

I smiled at her. "I'll keep that in mind!"

I continued to eat and drink and had a great time. Afterward, I slumped back in my chair, stomach full to the point it felt like I would explode.

"That … was incredible."

Emilyne gave me a smile, and I saw how it instantly smoothed out her features and actually made her look rather cute. "I am happy to have you. After what you did for Sether … I consider you as kin." She put the kitten in her lap down on the floor and leaned forward. "The feast was part of your reward. I also offer you a great gift." She turned around and pulled out her obsidian blade. She flicked it around and handed it to me, hilt-first.

My eyes widened as I accepted it. "Your dagger? Why are you giving this to me?"

"Because I owe you a blood oath now. At great risk to yourself, you saved Sether, who I cherish like my own life."

"Thank you, Emilyne," I said sincerely and attached it to my skirt.

Emilyne awkwardly bowed to me.

Sether gaped. "I don't think I've ever seen Emilyne bow to anyone!"

"Do not become accustomed to it."

I thanked her again. "Thank you, Emilyne. Really."

"No." She shook her head. "Thank you."

We joined the others in the throne room. Sunlight poured in from holes in the trunk left by Cetus's teeth.

Jacorel sat on the throne. He tapped his feet nervously.

Benjamin caught his anxiousness and smiled. "Relax. This is going to be just like the ending of A New Hope where they all get medals and smile at each other."

Jacorel glanced at him. "A New Hope … this is one of your stories?"

"Uh, it's the best one! Okay, so like, a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…"

Harrvel entered, carrying a new crown, and the room went quiet. Beside me, Edward reached down and squeezed my hand.

"I like this," he whispered in my ear.

"The outfit?" I asked with a smile.

"Yeah. Looks easy to take off."

I chuckled and playfully pushed him before focusing back on Harrvel and Jacorel.

"And so the cycle renews! Just as all life begins and ends upon Kaanu, the hope of all Kaarii rests on the shoulders of our elyyshar." Harrvel reverently placed the crown upon Jacorel's head. "Rise now, Elyyshar Jacorel."

The Kaarii brought themselves to their knees.

"Ha ha! Yeah! Go J-Dog!" Emmett applauded enthusiastically. A few masked faces swiveled toward him. "Oh, you guys don't do clapping. Whoooooops."

Jacorel spoke up. "We have much to answer for. We have caused great harm to each other…" At that, his eyes fell on Benjamin. "But now we move forward together. Catalyst and Kaarii, side by side. The hope of our people does not depend on me. Nor is it determined by any one individual. It is the product of all who are gathered here. Because of every one of us, Elyys'tel persists. We must never forget that."

The Kaarii nodded in silence until Sether started clapping and giggling.

Emilyne joined in, then more Kaarii. Soon, the audience hall was overtaken with riotous applause. Over the din, I made out Emilyne speaking to Harrvel, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. Both of them looked very troubled, though, and I frowned.

I filed out of the throne room and spotted Victoria nearby.

She sat on a bridge, her legs dangling over the edge, looking out at the infinite sea.

"Victoria..."

I took a seat beside her.

"Oh … I'm glad it's you," she said with a small smile.

"We did it, Vicky. We saved the day. Can you believe it?"

"As a matter of fact, I can."

"Really?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Because of you, Bella. More than this place, more than everything that's happened to us ... it's you that makes me believe in the impossible."

Something tugged at my memory … as if I'd been here before.

"Good. Because we've still got a long road ahead if we're ever gonna get out of here," I told her with a chuckle.

"Not me."

Then it hit me. I remembered where I'd seen this before … when I touched the mermaid idol.

"Victoria? Victoria, stay with me. Something bad's about to happen!"

Victoria leaned against me and gazed at the horizon. Her eyes teared up and shined like the sea. "Everyone fights so hard to have some say in their own life … to have some control over themselves."

"Victoria, no! You can't let this happen! I didn't have time to change it yet!"

"But in the end, all we really have control over is whether we appreciated what we had."

Her words grew softer and slower. Her eyelids fluttered, barely staying open. Her voice was like a whisper.

Tears filled my eyes. "No … no, don't leave me."

"And when you finally make it … to the other side…"

I bellowed at the top of my lungs. "HELP! SOMEONE, COME QUICK! WE NEED HELP!"

"You'll be the queen ... you always carried..."

"…inside you," I finished for her, and my tears spilled over.

She went limp, her head slumped on my shoulder. Her breath came slower … and slower…

I held her against my chest … and let my tears fall.

~~{MEJ}~~

Cullen paced under the fluorescent lights, his hands buried in his pockets. "Tell me about our guests," he ordered.

Iris flickered and opened her holographic mouth. "As expected, following the protocol, all of the hotel's guests were ushered into MASADA pods as soon as the time-quake began."

"And the results?"

"Just a 2% failure rate. On the low end of estimates."

Cullen scratched the stubble on his chin and nodded. "They're fortunate to be alive at all." Iris's face fell, and Cullen frowned. "What is the matter? Are you malfunctioning?" And then he understood and smiled. "Ah. Alistair. Never fear, Iris. Your memory may have been wiped recently, but I never forget a thing."

"There's something else, Carlisle. Something I think you should see. About one of the guests."

"Show me."

Iris's drone projected a wall of light. A personnel file shimmered in a hologram. Cullen stepped closer to it and read.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh, my. That name … One and the same?"

"Indeed. It's him."

Cullen glared angrily at Iris. "Then how did we not know he was here?"

"He was checked into The Ethereal under an alias. But DNA confirms it."

"Then … what in God's name is he doing here?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Iris suggested.

Cullen smirked. "Right as always, dear. Let's wake him up. And put on a fresh pot."

A few minutes later, a muscular, grizzled man limped through the door in his underwear. The first thing he saw was Cullen sitting with his legs crossed at the knee and smiling at him.

The man glared deadly. "You've got five seconds to tell me who the hell you are," he threatened and cracked his knuckles.

Cullen smiled even wider. "Coffee first? It's Colombian. Exquisite."

"Four."

Cullen sighed. "Very well. Who am I? Why, Commander McKenzie … I'm your new employer."

McKenzie clenched his fists and took a step forward. "Careful. You don't know me, amigo. You don't want to know me. And I sure as sweet hell don't work for you."

"You will, once I tell you what I can offer," Cullen said confidentially.

The intimidating man scoffed. "I've got covert contracts with about two dozen governments, enough money and guns to last a lifetime, so I don't think there's anything you can—"

"Edward Masen. Work for me, and he's all yours."

McKenzie went quiet and appraised Cullen for a long moment.

"Alright then … 'boss.' I'm listening."

Cullen grinned. "Good. We begin right away."

"That's what I like to hear." McKenzie nodded, but then he remembered something. "Oh, and one more thing … I brought friends."

A/N:

So the Kaarii accepts them now, but that vision Bella had of everyone dead but her was kind of scary … and Victoria, her idol-vision came true, so what do you think will happen now?

And McKenzie is there? On the island? With friends? And Cullen wants to hire him, but for what?

I'd love to hear your thoughts anyway!

Until then,

Stay Awesome!