Gabriel was still unconscious as Ruth put the healing balm on his wounds. She knew he would heal fine with time but he would have a few deep scars, although he always seemed to view his scars as a badge of honor. They proved to the world he could protect his mate.
Isabelle moved to the outer part of the circle and watched as druids, hybrids, wolves and demons crawled up out of the fissures that had been opened. Wielding the Sword of Light above her head she gave the order "Attack!" and made the Sword sing with power. The clansmen attacked from within their protective circles using their crossbows to cut down what was coming for them and the snipers were firing from the castle roofs. The Hamilton's and Cullen's had stepped outside the ring to fight the creatures while Kate and Mary worked to close the fissures that had opened. They needed to seal off the underworld again and slow the flow of creatures coming out.
The Clan was holding their own in the fight and there were only the 3 largest fissures left to close when they felt it - the Brude's had come to the surface. Kate and Mary each made a run for the nearest protective ring and immediately started reinforcing the magic around them. Three Brude's surrounded Isabelle while the other 7 moved to stand on the outside of the circle Kate was in and began breaking down the walls of magic protecting her. They wanted to Brude females, desperately. The Guardians ran to protect Mary knowing they could not get to Kate to help her now. With their protection Mary stepped out of the circle to close the opening closest to her and then made the run to another circle. The Executioners ran to surround the Brude's surrounding Isabelle. Only she could kill them with the Sword of Light but they could give her a fighting chance by distracting 2 of the 3.
Fifteen minutes later as Isabelle split the third Brude from the top of his head to his groin she noticed the protection around Kate had fallen. The Brude's left the hybrid's to fight through the clansmen to get to her while they moved to the circle Mary was now in to bring down its protection. Isabelle sent half the Executioners to protect Kate and with the other half moved to close the final opening.
After closing the final fissure Isabelle looked around, Emmett & Rosalie were protecting Gabriel who was just starting to come around. The Guardians were inside the circle with Mary trying to hold the protection against the remaining 7 Brude's. The Cullen's and Executioners were fighting their way through hybrids to get to Kate first. Isabelle sifted right behind the Brude's and cut down 3 with the Sword before the others just disappeared. WTF?? Isabelle thought looking around to see most of the battle was over. "Kate, move over into Mary's ring." Isabelle said. "Do you still feel them above ground?" Before they could answer she felt the air move around her. She was swinging the Sword before they fully materialized and was able to kill two before the third made a grab for the Sword.
As they struggled she could feel love and strength flowing into her and knew it was coming from Gabriel. She glanced over to see him standing and Rose & Emmett fighting the last Brude. The Cullen's were rushing over to help them when it happened - Rose lost an arm, Emmett a leg and the Brude went to grab Gabriel. Isabelle regained control of the Sword and sliced the Brude she was fighting when he ripped it out of her hands and before he died threw it at his last remaining brother, the one holding the Overseer.
Edward was fighting the hybrids while keeping an eye on Isabelle. He had to keep her safe, he needed her to survive this. He heard the alarm in Emmett's mind and was running to them before they cried out. As if in slow motion he saw the Brude rip the Sword from Isabelle and throw it to the one holding Gabriel. He read the Brude's thoughts and knew if that happened it would kill Isabelle and he couldn't let that happen. He reached Gabriel and pushed him away just as the Sword was dropping and heard Isabelle yell "Gabriel" at the same time Alice yelled "Edward, NO!" Then he felt it, the Sword was slicing through him. He felt the Brude's hold on the Sword lessen so he took the chance and ripped it out of his body and drove it back into the Brude's heart. He had done it, the last Brude was dead and then Edward fell to the ground - dying.
Carlisle dropped to the ground next to him, not knowing what to do to help heal him. "Isabelle, what do we do?" he cried out. Isabelle kneeled next to Edward running her fingers through his hair as he looked at her. "There is nothing we can do Carlisle. The Sword of Light is the only thing that can maim or kill even an immortal being. There is nothing to do but make him comfortable and say goodbye. "Why would you do that Edward?"
"Because I love you and I need for you to be happy. If I can't live with you forever as my mate then I would rather die knowing I ensured your happiness. You were right, Gabriel is a good man and I came to realize he is what you need. Maybe, just maybe with this act I have done enough good and if I have a soul it can pass into heaven and then I can watch over you forever but without the guilt of my past actions."
"I always told you, I have seen your soul and it is a wondrous thing Edward. Go in peace Edward and know that I will always feel safer knowing that you are watching me and my family. Find your happiness on the other side and be assured that I will always hold you close to my heart, by saving Gabriel you saved me." She leaned down and kissed his forehead, "Know you are loved and will never be forgotten."
Edward looked at each member of his family, "Do not be sad. If we are being honest we all know this is for the best." He knew the poison from the Sword had almost completed its task of killing him, so he turned to the love of his life and cupping her cheek said "I love you Bella, more than my own life." Then he died.
The Cullen's kneeled around him dry sobbing while the Executioners and Guardians were hunting down the few enemies that thought they could escape in the confusion. Isabelle was sitting on the ground next to Gabriel watching him heal. So very happy that he was alive and would heal fine but sadden that Edward was gone, she had hoped they could have remained in contact somehow.
Hours passed as the Cullen's remained next to Edward's body. The bonfire was lit and the enemy bodies were burning. By the time it was over all the Brude's, hybrids and druids were dead and most of the wolves were gone too. The Hamilton's were not without losses and injuries. They had lost about 15 clansmen and Tanya had been killed also. Soren had been severely injured and even with his fast healing to would still be months before he was 100%. Others had been injured but they would heal within a few days time at the most. Carlisle had reattached Rose & Emmett's limbs and they would also be healed completely in a few days. Perhaps the hardest injury was to Heidi, she had been bitten by a vampire hybrid and was now in the process of transforming. They would have to wait the three days to see how much if any of her Wiccan qualities and abilities she would retain and how she would adjust to being a vampire now, time would tell.
Isabelle approached the Cullen's slowly, "Carlisle, we need to move Edward now. Due to the way he was killed he will not need to be burned." At this all of their heads popped up. "It would be an honor to bury him on Hamilton land near the waterfall; it has always been very special to myself and Gabriel. Of course you would all be welcome to visit anytime."
Carlisle nodded his head, "I think he would like that. Thank you." At sunset
Edward was laid to rest with his weapons in a coffin Gabriel built himself, with a ceremony fitting one of Odin's Warriors looking for entrance into Valhalla. The entire clan attended to pay tribute to a fallen warrior.
The Executioners and Guardians were sent out to search the world for any druids or hybrids that were missed in the battle. Not many were found but the ones they did were summarily executed. They Lycans asked for and were granted permission to deal with any wolves left on their own with the condition that if one more problem came from them it would not just be the wolves that were executed. The Sword of Light was returned to the Fae, hopefully forever. Gabriel went to the Volturi personally to tell Aro of Caius's treachery. Once Gabriel told his story it made sense to Aro why Caius was missing, he was on the run. Aro wanted to deal him and Gabriel said fine knowing in the end Caius would wish it was the Overseer dealing out the death sentence. Eventually the human world went back to its sleepy self where vampires, lycans and such only existed in books.
The Cullen's stayed on for a week while everyone healed. It was hard of them being so close to where Edward was killed. As they were leaving Isabelle hugged them all, "I do hope when things have settled that you will come and visit. It would be nice to just visit with you all without danger hanging over anyone's head. I think you would see more of the Bella you knew at that time."
Gabriel walked up to the group putting his arms around his wife, "We would also like to ask your opinion on something. Isabelle is pregnant again and we would like to name him Edward, if that wouldn't offend any of you?"
Cries of surprise and joy went up with all of them exclaiming, "That would be great." Carlisle hugged Isabelle, "I can't think of anything that would please us more. We will definitely have to come back now. What age would be good?"
Gabriel laughed, "The pregnancy will be the normal 9 months and then he will age normally until about 10, that is when his physically aging slows severely and at this point we do not know what bloodlines he will draw from either. I would say anytime after he reaches 5 would be good if you want to teach him about his namesake."
"Great" Carlisle said as the Cullen's claimed into the cars to leave, "We will let you know. Please keep in touch Isabelle." With that they waved goodbye and started driving off.
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters.
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