Welcome everyone to chapter 31!

MWWWUUUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA- *chokes up*

*sobs uncontrollably*


A bit longer than an hour passed before the girls heard voices by the entrance of Camp Half-Blood.

While they waited, Annabeth decided that she trusted Amira enough again to return her sword and dagger. Hearing the voices, the two girls shared a look then nodded, standing and moving to meet the others.

"I do not doubt you, Annabeth, but do you feel sure that the idea of making my presence known to your friends now is a wise one?" Amira asked nervously as the two walked, fiddling with her braided purple hair. Annabeth thought for a moment, then nodded.

"We'll be fine. I mean even if they do attack, I'll just help you out until we can calm them down and explain." She assured. Amira nodded, tugging at the bottom of her purple top.

Then she froze. Amira's purple eyes widened as she felt her entire body go numb and her vision fade for a split-second before returning to normal. She cursed in a way that would have earned a firm mouth-slapping from Eragon.

"What's wrong?" Annabeth asked with a questioning glance. Amira looked at her.

"Time is running out." She announced. Annabeth realized what she meant and gasped.

"How much longer?!"

Amira shook her head as she managed another step, forcing the numbness of her body to fade.

"Several minutes? Half of an hour at the most?" She estimated gravely as she tried to roll feeling back into her arms. Annabeth shook her head, looking stressed.

"Annabeth? That you?" The two girls turned as a familiar voice called out and saw Nico, Piper, Leo, Jason, Frank, and Murtagh nearing.

The six froze when they saw who stood beside their friend and weapons were immediately drawn. Murtagh placed his hand on Zar'roc but kept the red sword sheathed, his eyes instead on the demigods beside him.

"What's going on, Annabeth?" Nico demanded with his eyes on Amira. His hand gripped his sword's hilt tight enough to turn his knuckles white.

Annabeth moved in front of Amira and held her hands out in a gesture of surrender.

"Everyone stop! Just let us explain!" She quickly told her friends.

"Why should we listen to anything she says?!" Piper spat, glaring at the Alagaesian.

"Don't you remember what she did? It's her fault that Hazel's gone!" Frank reminded his friend, his bow drawn and ready. Annabeth shook her head.

"No, it's not, because nothing happened." She argued. Confused looks were evident. "Look, I know this will be hard to believe but Hazel is still alive."

"What are you talking about?" Nico again demanded, dark eyes narrowing.

Annabeth slowly stepped out from in front of Amira, keeping her eyes on the weapons pointed at the Alagaesian.

"Just… hear her out, okay? Let her explain and you'll understand." She almost begged.

The five looked at each other before nodding and lowering their weapons, though they didn't put them away. Amira took a breath.

"When you tunneled to the Underworld in search of me, Jason and I engaged in a battle and shortly after you believed to have seen me stab Hazel," She told them carefully, keeping on her toes, her magic ready to be used in an instant. "But that was a lie: a trick."

"How was it a trick? You stabbed your dagger into her chest." Jason narrowed his blue eyes.

"Yes I know but please let me explain further." Amira got no response and continued. "The day before, I contacted Hazel. As an Alagaesian, I am able to speak to another through mental communication with the use of my magic. If you doubt my words then ask Murtagh." Five pairs of eyes turned to said person and he nodded once in silent answer. Amira continued. "I taught her to open her mind and speak mentally and in doing so, we formed a plan."

Taking fast, Amira explained to them all how she had found a loophole in Tartarus's order and how she had Hazel planned to fake her death in order to help Amira plan to stop him. She got disbelieving looks so she quickly explained their plans to pull off the trick. She also explained how they had discovered that Tartarus planned to take over her body as his own. The disbelieving looks slowly changed to looks of hopefulness as she spoke. By the time she finished the half-bloods had put away their weapons and were listening intently.

"We have but a little time left so we must act quickly. I have a plan that may stop him but I hope that plan shall only be used only as a final resort of desperation." Amira finished.

"So let me get this straight," Nico repeated, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers. "You and Hazel mentally formed a plan to fake her death then avoided us by staying in L.A. while you went on mini-missions for Tartarus before finding out that he plans to use your body as a host in order to come up to the mortal world?"

"Correct." Amira nodded.

"But how? How can he take your body if it's your body? Wouldn't he have to kick out your soul or something?" Piper wondered.

"That's why we're trying to hurry," Annabeth answered. "He told Amira that he'd give her a few hours to willingly surrender or he'd take her by force. Amira swore that she'd never give herself up so now we're basically just waiting for him to act."

"And you're not panicking over this?" Leo asked Amira curiously.

"I am more panicked than I have ever been in all of my life," The purple-haired Alagaesian admitted with a shaky laugh, brushing a strand of her hair from her face.

"But how are we supposed to help?" Frank wondered.

"Honestly, I don't care what you guys do because I'm going to get my sister," Nico told everyone firmly, sheathing his black sword.

"Hold on. Don't you think we should plan this out first?" Jason argued.

Amira felt her body grow numb again and she gasped, catching the attention of the small group. She stumbled back against a tree, her numb legs almost too weak to hold her up.

"How much longer?!" Annabeth quickly asked her, grabbing her shoulder to keep her upright. But Amira just shook her head, eyes wide and hands shaking.

"Time is up." Then Amira's vision faded and her heart stopped as she lost control of her body.

Annabeth's grey eyes widened in response to Amira's words. She quickly reached for her sword but the Alagaesian acted before she could.

Amira's hand shot out and grabbed Annabeth's but the blonde pulled her hand away, shoving Amira and sending her stumbling back. Weapons were once again drawn as Amira attacked. She drew her own sword but before she could do anything more, she was thrown back by a spell cast by Murtagh. She flew through the air and landed on her back, rolling several more feet. Her face contorted into a grimace as she got back to her feet.

"Amira what's going on?!" Piper exclaimed.

"Not- me-!" Amira managed through her teeth.

She tried to stop herself but was unable as her body acted on its own. She knew that Tartarus was beginning to take over her body and fought with every bit of strength against him. She raised her sword and charged but was blocked by a familiar red blade.

"Amira, you have to fight him! You're stronger than he is!" Murtagh told her firmly. Amira shoved against his sword and sent him back a few steps. She shook her head.

"I am trying! Ugh- He is too strong! No matter- do what- you can- to stop me." She gasped as she tried to regain control of her mind and body. Then her vision went black and lost herself again. She felt as her body thrust out her hand, Gedwëy Ignasia glowing.

"Garjzla!" She heard herself cast.

Light)

A sphere of light shot from her hand towards Murtagh but he was an Alagaesian Rider as well and had tricks of his own.

"Garjzla letta!" He spoke, his own mark glowing.

(Light stop)

The sphere dissipated and faded before it reached the Red Rider, his spell preventing him from being blinded. His eyes then narrowed warily as he saw her own eyes had turned dark in color, her entire eye almost black. Amira's face consorted to a scowl and he returned the look.

"Jierda!" His outstretched hand closed into a fist and Amira gave a cry of pain as several of her ribs snapped, intense pain shooting through her side. She glared at her fellow Alagaesian.

(Break)

"You will pay dearly for that."

Murtagh jolted slightly and his eyes widened when Amira spoke in a voice that wasn't her's; Amira's voice was light and melodic while this new voice was dark and full of anger and unfamiliarity. Amira suddenly gasped and gained momentary control once more.

"Stop it!" She cried, hands going to her head and eyes squeezing shut. "Stop! Get out of me! I do not belong to you!"

Murtagh watched her actions carefully; Amira was still fighting Tartarus as he tried to take control of her and she seemed to be winning- Murtagh's heart dropped when he saw her slip. It was the smallest possible break of concentration but Tartarus took it, gaining control once more. Amira's body stood as she held her side, clearly in pain but not giving up.

"Do not bother fighting me; your weak magic is nothing compared to a primordial deity. Your friend is gone and I now have her power and body." Tartarus taunted through her.

"Not while Amira continues fighting," Murtagh argued. "Brisingr!"

(Fire)

A wave of fire flew towards Amira but Tartarus made her raise her hand and cast her own magic.

"Skölir edtha fra brisingr!" The fire fanned around her shield of magic, leaving her untouched. "Letta theirra sharjalví!"

(Shield me from fire) (Stop their movement)

Murtagh cursed heavily as his body completely froze, knowing that spell was bound to happen. Amira ran to grab her sword from where it had flown when thrown back and he grimaced.

"Brakka du vanyalí sem huildar edtha!" He chanted quickly. Amira's spell was countered and he was able to move just in time to raise his sword and block her fatal downward stroke.

(Reduce the spell that holds me)

The six demigods watched from the sidelines in stunned amazement as the half-elves battled. The two Alagaesian Riders were moving so incredibly fast as they attacked that they were both forced on both offense and defense. They swung, blocked, stabbed, spun, and parried all while moving with determined grace.

The words of the Ancient Language filled the air as the two threw magic back and forth as though they were tossing a ball; one attacked and the other deflected, then they attacked and the other deflected. The way they clashed swords was incredible, moving so fast that the demigods could barely keep focus on only one yet still in such perfect synch it was as though it were a dance.

No one knew how long the two battled but time seemed countless.

Amira gritted her teeth and fought against Tartarus for control of her body but the primordial was strong and she was beginning to tire. She knew that her final-attempt plan had to be enacted then and there or Tartarus would win. But first, she had to find a way to get through to Murtagh.

So she poured out every bit of strength she had and again gained control of her body, knowing that she had a split second to act or Murtagh would slice her open. She grabbed control of her body and shouted,

"THRAUTHA!"

(Throw)

Murtagh was thrown back with a shout and Amira collapsed to her knees, totally exhausted from her inner battle and magic use. She heard him stand and shakily did the same.

"Murtagh, you must… please… remember your promise you made me." She begged as tears formed. The Red Rider frowned for a second before realization appeared and his grey eyes widened.

"No, Amira DON'T-!"

"Ramr slytha kausta vel ono!"

(Deep sleep come upon you)

Murtagh fought against the spell but was caught off guard and failed and the Red Rider collapsed to the dirt, Zar'roc slipping from his hand as he fell to the ground asleep.

Tears in her purple eyes, Amira turned to the six in front of her and raised her sword. The demigods saw her grimace and her arm lowered slightly but then Taratus returned and her body suddenly lunged forward. Nico was the fastest to move and jumped in front of her sword to block her attack.

"Amira, stop fighting us!" He tried to tell the former Rider but Amira couldn't listen.

Nico could see she was in pain from her broken ribs and tried to use that to his advantage, striking whenever he could at her side so she would have to move her weaker arm furthest to block, but even so he was quickly forced to the offense as Amira attacked.

"Trying to reason with one who is gone is pointless," Tartarus responded with a dark chuckle.

Amira continued to struggle against Tartarus until she finally gained control. The pain from her broken ribs set in her and she collapsed, Nico's sword sweeping through the air above her head as she fell. Immediately she heard people rushing over to her as she was too drained to fight or even stand any longer.

"Amira! Amira, are you okay?!" Leo worried as he skidded to his knees by her side. A tear slid down the Alagaesian's cheek as she realized what needed to happen. She took a shaky breath.

"Kill me."

"Wh- what?" Leo's eyes widened at her request

"Kill me, Leo." She repeated.

"No! No, why would you even say that?!"

"Please, you have to!" Amira pleaded, breathing hard. But Leo just shook his head.

"No! I won't! Why would-?" He was unable to finish.

Tartarus attempted to move her to her feet but Amira's body was far too weak and she collapsed back onto her side.

"If you do not then he will destroy everyone," She told Leo, wincing. "I cannot stop him on my own. As long as I live, your world and my own are in danger."

"So you want us to kill you? Amira, are you crazy?!" Piper exclaimed as the others moved closer.

Amira shook her head. She clenched her teeth as she forced the primordial back but it was getting harder each time. She managed to move just enough to be laying on her back.

"He is not strong enough to come to this world himself so he means to take over my body as his own and use me to end your gods and take control of our worlds. We have if only seconds left." Amira spoke very quickly, trying to tell the demigods everything before her time ran out. She turned her gaze back to Leo, who was watching her with shock and pain evident in his brown eyes. "Leo… Of everyone, you have always cared for me the most. You told me you would do anything for me so please… Do this?" She could see the pain in his brown eyes: he didn't want this any more than she did. A single tear slid down the fire-users cheek. He wouldn't meet her gaze. Amira reached up, wincing, and cupped his cheek in her hand. "Please, Leo. If you love me..."

What seemed like forever passed before Leo finally met her gaze.

"Okay..." He agreed, his quiet voice trembling.

Amira slid her dagger from her belt and placed it in Leo's hand. A small yelp escaped her lips as the pain of her broken ribs shot through her and her body grew numb for a short moment, her vision flashing.

"Leo I-I cannot do this myself. If you kill me then he dies as well." She gasped as she fought to force Tartarus back. Leo shut his eyes tight and held the blade above her body but his hands were shaking too much.

"I can't do it, I can't." He choked out. The Alagaesian reached up and cupped his cheeks in her hands.

"Please… If you love me…"

A tear slid down Leo's cheek. She placed her hand on his, which still held her dagger, and moved it down so the tip of the blade touched her abdomen. He looked into her amethyst eyes.

"I love you Amira."

Leo stabbed the dagger down.

== Ω Ω Ω ==

Amira's breath was stolen in a gasp as the blade pierced her skin.

The sharp blade stabbed into her body until its tip touched the ground beneath her. She could feel the knife but thankfully felt no pain; it was just a tingling numbness.

A smile tugged at her pink lips and she breathed out a choked laugh when she heard Tartarus's voice screaming as his soul was cast from her body, no longer able to ever hold or maintain a physical form again.

They won and she smiled at the thought.

"She's bleeding!" Someone suddenly exclaimed. "Someone get-!"

"Stop." They froze at Amira's words. "Do not... do not try… to help me."

Amira's words were choked out, the knife in her upper abdomen making it difficult to talk. She heard a sob and opened her purple eyes to see tears forming in her friend's eyes. Even Nico was trying to hold back.

"Do not cry. He is gone now. We won." Her voice was barely louder than a whisper.

"It's not worth it. It's not worth you dying like this." Leo denied. The sobs in his voice were clear as the sky above them he held her.

Amira felt her warm blood trickling from her abdomen to gather on the ground beneath her. She breathed in, feeling weird as it required an effort to do so.

"I am so sorry f- for every… everything that I… have done." She apologized.

"Amira, stop. Just relax." Annabeth's grey eyes were watery but Amira shook her head as much as she could.

She closed her eyes, taking another shaky breath, and it was a moment before she opened them again. The blood dripping down her body made it difficult to concentrate. She saw Leo's tears on his cheeks, the outside of her sight growing dark. She knew she didn't have much time left.

"Remind M-Murtagh… of his p-promise." Her vision was faded enough that she was barely able to see the nods she received but the pain in her friends' eyes was as clear as the setting sun. "Do not-" Amira was cut off by coughing, her body shaking from the effort as her hand went to her mouth. When she stopped, her breathing was shallow and blood covered her hand. "Do not… f-forget… our adventure… please..."

"I won't. I won't ever forget, Amira, I promise." Leo sobbed and their friends repeated his words. She nodded slowly, a tear of her own falling as the light in her purple eyes dimmed.

Leo leaned to kiss her one last time and Amira Moraow let out her final breath, closing her eyes.

She didn't open them again.


And that concludes the thirty-first chapter of A Strange and Different Land!

Thank you all for reading and I hope you chose to continue the story. Please feel free to leave a review. Criticism, advice, compliments or corrections are welcome.

Have a good one and I'll see you later!