Act Nine - Aurora's Sacrifice

As the fight began, Aurora regained consciousness. She was surprised to find that the prayer room was completely dark, illuminated only be the soft white glow of the solitary moon. The figures of two men could faintly be seen as silhouettes against the night sky, engaged in a fierce swordfight.

"Helios…"

She carefully pulled herself up, using the doorknob for support, as she was still weak from Damian's attack. Helios was in grave danger. This guy meant business. She had to protect him, but how?

Glancing around the dimly lit room, a flash of light appearing from the shadows caught Aurora's eye. She walked over to the spot where she had seen the brightness and fell to her hands and knees, searching for the object.

"I know I saw it around here somewhere," she mumbled to herself as she felt around on the floor. "Ouch!"

Aurora licked the blood off her finger and picked up the small blade that had cut her. She recognized it as the same knife Damian had threatened her with earlier that night. It must have fallen out of his sheath.

The knife felt heavy and cold in her tiny hands. She held it up to the light of a nearby candle, causing the sharp blade to shimmer in its glow. It was the perfect weapon…

"Forgive me, Lord," she whispered, hiding the sword behind her back. "Please, forgive me!"

"Ready to surrender yet, old-timer?" Damian asked, knocking the sword out of Helios' hands. It disappeared into the shadows like a star being sucked into a giant black hole.

Damian was a formidable opponent. Although Helios himself was an able swordsman, he was no match for this dark angel's skill. However, the thought of giving up never crossed his mind, despite the odds against him. He had to protect Serenity from this devil, even if it meant laying down his life for her.

"I will never summit to your power, you angel of darkness."

Suddenly getting a second wind, he kicked Damian directly in the stomach, knocking the breath out of him. The attack must have surprised him, for the fire in his eyes began to burn even more brightly, burning with determination to complete his mission.

He raised his sword above his head and gathered all his power in the black blade. Who cares what Mother wants? Priest Helios is as good as dead, he thought.

"Priest Helios-sama, watch out!"

Damian turned around on his heel to see whose voice had just called out. Helios' face turned a deathly pale shade of white, as if he had just seen a ghost, as Damian's sword fell harmlessly to the floor.

The female figure gasped, realizing she had just made a big mistake in revealing herself. She turned to leave, but Damian stopped her before she could make it to the door.

"Well, if it isn't your loyal slave," he exclaimed. "Did you really think you could stage a surprise attack onme, pretty lady?"

"Let go of her, Damian," Helios demanded. "This fight doesn't concern her."

Aurora struggled with all her might to get out of his grasp, but Damian was incredibly strong. Tears came to her lovely chocolate brown eyes. "Get out of here, Helios-sama," she pleaded. "Forget about me and save yourself!"

"Nobody's going anywhere," Damian said, raising his hand and sending a powerful blast of energy toward the priest. Helios was pushed up against the wall and collapsed on the floor, limp as a rag doll.

"Helios, no!"

The maiden kicked Damian in the groin area, giving her the chance to escape his clutches. He groaned in pain at the unexpected attack as she raised the hidden knife in the air and directed it over his evil heart.

Damian looked up at Aurora and smiled at the sight of her shaking hands. "You don't have the guts to kill me, Aurora," he laughed.

"Do you think this is a joke?" she asked. "Is this all just some sick little game to you, Damian? Because I'm not playing around here. Leave this holy shrine at once or I will be forced to kill you."

"Then, I guess you'll have to kill me, because I'm not leaving this temple until I get what I came for."

She took a deep breath and tightened the grip on the knife, preparing to stab him in the chest. Damian looked strangely calm, almost as if he knew something she didn't.

Aurora closed her eyes and plunged the dagger into the darkness.

When she opened her eyes a few seconds later, Aurora saw that Damian was still alive. He had grabbed her wrist before the knife reached his body.

"I told you that you wouldn't go through with it," he said, letting out an evil laugh as he twisted her arm. The knife dropped silently to the ground.

"Get your hands off of me," she yelled, trying to break free of his hold. A sharp pain traveled up her arm, causing Aurora to scream out at the top of her lungs.

The sound was loud enough to awaken Helios from his light slumber. He jumped up and snatched a solid gold candlestick from off the altar, intending to use it as a weapon in lieu of his vanished sword.

Quietly, he walked up behind Damian, careful not to arouse his suspicion, and brought the heavy candlestick down on his shoulder. The demon released Aurora and grabbed his injured joint, obviously in tremendous pain.

"Helios-sama, you saved me!" Aurora exclaimed, throwing her arms around the tired priest's neck. "I don't know how to thank you."

"There's no need to thank me, Aurora," he replied. "I should be the one who's grateful. If you hadn't showed up when you did…"

"We have to get you out of here. He won't give up until he gets what he wants."

Aurora grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door, unaware that Damian had placed an invisible barrier around the prayer room until she tried to leave. They were trapped.

"Nobody's leaving this room until I get what I came for," Damian whispered, gathering back his strength. "This is the moment of truth, Gramps. Either surrender to the great power of the Dark Kingdom or prepare to face your doom."

"I will never surrender!" he answered.

"I had a feeling you would say that, Priest Helios."

Damian again raised his ebony sword above his head. "Might power of the Dark Kingdom, I command you come forth. Give me your strength."

He pointed the sword directly at Helios and released its power in the form of a dark black beam.

"NO!"

"Aurora, speak to me," Helios pleaded, holding the Maenad's limp, cold hand to his chest. "Please, say something. Anything!"

My mother will not be happy about this one bit, Damian thought. He should have killed that meddling girl when he had the chance. It was an unfortunate setback, but once he regained his power, nobody could stop him.

"I will be back," he growled, before disappearing in a puff of smoke. "Victory will be ours!"

Helios barely noticed his leaving. Instead, his thoughts were with Aurora. Her motionless body felt icy in his arms. Why did this happen to her? Why?!

"Please open your eyes, Aurora," he said softly. "I'm so sorry. I should have just given in to Damian's demands. This shouldn't have happened. Not to you…"

Overcome with emotion, he lightly caressed her cheek with trembling fingers. She had been an incredibly beautiful woman, so full of life and generous to a fault, and her dedication to the shrine rivaled his own. It just wasn't fair.

"Don't blame yourself, Helios-sama."

The voice was so faint, he was sure he had imagined it, but when he looked down and found himself staring into Aurora's brown eyes, he knew it was real. "Aurora?"

With her remaining strength, the maiden reached for his hand and held it up to her rosy lips.

"I can't stay long, Helios," she whispered, as Helios leaned in closer to better hear her words. "I just wanted to tell you what an honor it was to serve you and the shrine. You've always been so kind to me…"

"You should save your strength. I'll go find Eos and send her to fetch the doctor," Helios said, starting to stand up.

"No, don't leave me."

Her breathing had become very labored. She didn't have much time left. Helios placed a pillow under her head to make her last moments more comfortable. Aurora looked so fragile laying there, like a beautiful porcelain doll that could break at the slightest touch.

"Why do you look so sad, Priest Helios-sama?" Aurora asked. "Everything is going to be okay. You'll see."

Helios could hardly bear to look at her, for fear that he would burst into tears at the sight. "No, Aurora, it won't, because you won't be here. Nothing will be the same."

"Look at me," she demanded.

He reluctantly turned his head toward her, revealing the tears that had formed in his eyes.

"I want you to be happy, Helios," she said weakly. "Promise me something…"

"Anything!"

Helios gently took the maiden into his arms and rested her head upon his shoulder.

"Don't let your pride keep you away from true happiness. You love her so very much…"

With those words, Aurora closed her eyes for the final time. Her lifeless body went limp in her arms. Helios placed her head back on the pillow and said a prayer, his heart filled with sorrow.

She appeared peaceful even in death. A serene smile played upon her lips and a corona of golden curls surrounded her face like the halo of an angel.

"Sweet dreams, Aurora."

Damian stood in the doorway of the prayer room, watching the touching scene between Aurora and Priest Helios with great interest. This was the perfect opportunity to attack. Helios was too overcome with grief to defend himself properly and, with the new powers his mother had granted him, the he couldn't lose.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out an opaque black stone. Damian rubbed its smooth surface with his thumb, feeling the negative energy heating his hand. You will surrender to the power of the Dark Kingdom, Priest Helios!

DARK DEMONIC CRYSTAL, I COMMAND YOU TO RELEASE YOUR POWER!