Chapter 62
Bahamut swooped in low and opened his massive jaws. He breathed an intense blue beam of energy that hit Doomgaze square in the face, knocking him back. The eight dragons broke formation and began pummeling the Avatars with their breath weapons.
"Ageless time, strike down the soul…Blaster!" cast Doomgaze.
A series of red orbs smashed into Bahamut, who recoiled in pain.
Siren flew off into the fray.
"Aphonos Stoma!" called out Siren.
She plucked chords from her harp and waves of golden music washed over the Avatars.
"Frigid wind, embrace all…North Cross!" chanted Chadarnook.
An icy gale blew through, pelting the Espers with enormous hailstones. Ifrit grunted in pain, but Shiva seemed unaffected. On the Blood Rose, Cyrus stepped out of the gondola and leapt high in the air.
"Bjali Jhagada!" cast Ramuh.
He raised his staff and the storm clouds circled around him, the wind dramatically blowing his beard. Powerful lightning bolts struck the Avatars. Only Starlet wasn't injured.
"Mighty force of heaven, bring retribution down to the unworthy…Bolt!" chanted Starlet.
Bahamut was struck in the midsection. He roared in anger.
Cyrus landed on Chadarnook, driving his lance home, then rebounded back onto the Blood Rose.
"Jahannam Naar!" shouted Ifrit.
He leapt on a huge burning meteor. It rocketed upwards with Ifrit standing on top. As it reached its zenith he backhanded it down on top of Chadarnook, where it erupted in flames.
"Hiraka Dhula!" called out Shiva.
She held out her hand and gathered ice shards into a huge mass, then shot it straight at Doomgaze, where they exploded in every direction.
Doomgaze didn't waver. It looked straight at Bahamut as it cast.
"Ageless time, strike down the soul…Blaster!" chanted Doomgaze.
Again the red orbs struck Bahamut, drawing blood. The wounded Esper turned to the other dragons.
"Look well my children," said the great dragon wearily.
He folded his wings and dove straight at Doomgaze catching him with his claws and driving him down toward the mountains. The impact was like an explosion that sent up tons of rocks and dust.
"Bahamut!" shouted Ifrit.
"Grace that knows no bound, enchant again…Charm!" cast Starlet.
Ifrit's eyes became glazed over. He flew at Shiva and punched her in the stomach. She doubled over in pain. Ramuh quickly knocked Ifrit on the head with his staff.
"Ow!" snapped Ifrit, "What was that for?"
"Concentrate boy!" snapped Ramuh.
Ifrit turned to see Shiva holding back tears protecting her midsection with her arms.
A shadowy figure rose from the mountainside. Doomgaze joined the others with a magicite shard clenched in his jaws. The eight dragons scattered in confusion.
"Dammit!" snarled Fenrir, "Moon Song!"
The Esper wolf leapt up and a shimmering moon appeared behind her. The Espers now appeared with many glowing reflections surrounding them.
Tritoch swooped in and unfurled his great wings.
"Tri-Dazer!"
Strange energy emanated from Tritoch's body and struck the Avatars.
"Chill to the bones…Absolute Zero!" chanted Chadarnook.
A wave of frozen ice washed over Tritoch, encasing him in a sarcophagus ice. The block of ice plummeted into the ocean far below and sank out of sight.
"You cannot win children!" said Starlet.
"I am your only child!" said a guttural voice.
They turned to see a ghostly apparition hovering between Ifrit and Ramuh. It held a glowing blade in one hand.
"Phantom!" said Chadarnook.
Phantom tossed the Atma Key to Ifrit, who caught it.
"Whatever good existed in you is long gone," whispered the specter, "As is with me."
"You cannot fight your fate!" hissed Doomgaze.
"Yes I can!" retorted Phantom, "That's why we're all here!"
"They cannot defeat us!" said Starlet.
"I can," said Phantom darkly.
"You would slay your parents?" demanded Chadarnook.
"That is all I am good for now," said Phantom.
Phantom's eyes glowed red. "Heavenly void, open up and bring oblivion…Ultima!"
The expanding dome of blue energy enveloped the Avatars. The dome exploded, sending shooting stars through them.
"The forbidden spell!" said Doomgaze as he disintegrated into red energy that dissipated with a fearful rumbling sound.
"Perhaps it is better this way," said Starlet as she dissolved into red waves.
"Starlet!" said Chadarnook in an agonized whisper is it to disappeared into nothingness.
All was silence.