Sacrifice
A Sequel to Quietly into the Night
Conventional Couples
Rating: PG-13

Chapter Forty-Two

Antar – Capitol City

"We are in a world of hurt," said Michael as he listened to the sound of pounding feet approaching them. "Let's get moving before they catch up with us."
"No wait," said Naloch, holding up a hand. "Listen to them. Do you hear what they are saying? They are shouting support to King Zan. Max, they're our people. They must have stormed the castle!"
"But nobody knew we were here, there is no way they could have figured it out," said Max.
"Kyle!" shouted Liz and Isabelle simultaneously. "Kyle knew!"
"It could be a trap," said Max, hesitating. "Kivar could have his troops trying to smoke us out.

Liz moved closer to the noise, and listened carefully. "I don't think so Max."
"Why are you so certain it's Kyle?"
"Simple, Antarian guardsmen very seldom scream 'Go West Roswell Comets' while in the middle of a battle," she said smugly.
Max paused to listen, and he could faintly make out Kyle's voice above the din. He signaled to the others and the all made their way toward the sounds.

Turning a corner they entered what appeared to be the main reception hall for the palace, but instead of seeing stately dignitaries, their senses were assaulted with the sights and sounds of battle. They surveyed the scene and located their friend and swiftly made their way across the room to fight at his side.
"How are we doing?" Michael asked Kyle.
"Same as always," he deadpanned, paraphrasing the Luke/Han Solo exchange in Return of the Jedi." Kyle reached into his waistband and removed a blaster and tossed it to Maria.
"Here, you may need this," he shouted. "By the way, your daughter is beautiful!"
Michael dropped back to Maria's side and gave her a quick lesson in operating the weapon.

The battle waged around them, the air filled with smoke and the stench of burning flesh. Saranara made her way over to Kyle determined to fight, and live or die by his side. Michael and Maria moved up and flanked Kyle and Saranara on the left, while Isabelle and Jereon were on the right of Kyle and Saranara. Max and Liz moved to the front, taking down as many guardsmen as they moved forward. One of the guardsmen moved stealthily up on Max's left, unobserved. He raised his hand to send an energy blast at Max when Liz spun around on the balls of her feet and brought the guardsman down with a burst of green energy from her hand. He screamed in pain as he collapsed, and the sound seemed to echo in Liz's ears forever.

From a balcony above them, overlooking the great hall, Kivar appeared, commanding his troops.
"Coward!" shouted Max, above the sounds of the battle. "Come down here Kivar, and face me like a man. There is no place for you to hide this time, and no women for you to hide behind!"
Kivar's face contorted in fury, and he leaped over the balcony and landed upright on the floor below. Max battled his way over to Kivar, intent upon killing him. He was almost within striking range when he felt something hard come crashing down on his back. He collapsed to the floor. Groaning in pain, he tried to pull himself up. He looked up and saw Kivar glance briefly at him before taking aim at Liz.
"Liz!" he tried called out, but he was still winded from his fall and couldn't manage more than a gasp.

A bolt of energy emanated from Kivar's hand, heading straight for Liz. Naloch grabbed her by the arm, and spun her out of the way, and was struck by the bolt in her stead. He collapsed to the floor, the light slowly fading from his eyes. Liz crawled over to him and took his hand in hers.
"You saved me," she cried, tears falling from her eyes. "It happened, because you saved me."
"Make sure they know," he gasped. Jereon and Saranara. Tell them I love them."
"I will, Naloch, I will," she said, pressing his hand to her cheek. "Max! God Max, where are you!"
"No Liz, not this time," whispered Naloch. "It is time for me to make this journey, to be with my wife, and my friends." He looked up to look at Max who had dragged himself over to his side.
"You are a great King, Max. I have faith that you will do what is best for Antar."

The battle waged on, as Naloch lay dying. He squeezed Liz's hand one more time, as if to remind her of her promise, and drew his last breath. Liz watched as the life left they eyes of her friend. She wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up. With a yell, she charged Kivar and began to attack him. She pummeled him with her small fists, and scratched at his face with her fingernails. Maria, hearing the anguished cries of her friend made her way through the battle to get as close to Liz as possible.
"Jesus!" she shouted, attempting to distract Kivar. "I killed you once, don't you know how to stay dead Kivar?"
Kivar turned towards the strange voice that called out to him. As he did, Liz stood back and blasted him with a bolt of energy from her hand. At the same time, Isabelle hit him with another beam of energy, and he fell to the floor, his body consumed by flames.