Chapter 18

Elizabeth

Hyde Park

Mage Battle

The black smoke surrounded us causing us to stumble as it settled all around us. Suddenly a familiar voice filled our thoughts with a trembling force. Causing pain to erupt from our temples.

You think you minuscule beings can fight the Dark Mage Power? Save yourselves now and give up. For you do not stand a chance against the darkness!

I looked around at my family, all holding tightly to their throbbing heads as the horrid voice taunted us.

We shook off the darkness and looked at eachother. With nods of understanding, we yelled out in unison. "NEVER!"

With a snap of a finger, hundreds of Dark Mages surrounded us.

I looked at Richard and with a final nod he let loose. With a fury I have never known he exploded towards the Dark Mages. Taking them down one by one. Mary's animals instantly went on the attack scraping, biting and piercing with every inch of the little creatures fury. Mary and Sabastian alternated between potion bombs and spells taking out Dark Mages without even touching them. Kitty and Georgiana stood with their backs to each other protecting one another from every blow that came their way. Wings caught my attention above our heads as Charles and Jane fought back from above striking down at every Dark Mage they saw and those that were trying to attack in the air.

At some point in the fighting, Darcy and I switched positions. He then stood in front of me shooting lightning strikes and fire balls like there was no tomorrow. Easily blocking every counter strike that came his way.

My only agenda was to find Matlock. I made myself invisible and searched through the madness. As if he knew I was looking for him he appeared right in front of me. With a menacing look in his eyes.

I tapped into his thoughts, unsure if I would be able to get through his block. You are mine, Elizabeth Bennet. I won't stop till Dark Mage power runs through your veins fully.

His thoughts sent shivers down my spine.

Anger flared within me. I would die before I let myself become that man's puppet.

Before I could form a fireball to take him down with, I became frozen. I looked around me and noticed everyone else was frozen too. Even the Dark Mages. Only Matlock seemed to be able to move.

Black smoke filled the air once again, but instead of coming out of thin air, Matlock was siphoning it from all of the Dark Mages that surrounded us. As the smoke left their bodies they collapsed to the ground lifeless.

I watched helplessly as the smoke filled Matlocks worthless body. Strengthening him, making him look like a terrifying dark giant. His eyes had turned completely black and the black smoke sizzled on his skin all around him. Slowly he began to hover in the air a few feet off the ground.

Matlock let out a loud maniacal laugh and with a large gust pushed the smoke back out from his body. The smoke rushed out of him and began filling the air all around us. One by one I watched as my family collapsed to the ground. I looked at Darcy who still stood frozen in place in front of me.

My heart hammered in my chest, fear and anger battling for control.

Matlock slowly made his way over towards Darcy and I.

Together Forever Love. Darcy's words filled my thoughts.

My mind had faltered seeing my sisters still bodies scattered around me. But hearing Darcy's words was exactly the reminder I needed. Yes! The prophecy. We were made for this! This is our destiny!

Together Forever. I echoed back to him. A single tear slowly tracked its way down my cheek. Somehow making its way through the frozen block Matlock had on us.

Apparently this spell can be broken.

Together, in the count of 3. Together we can break through! I quote Adam's words that he told us both when we were young. He had implanted the words in our hearts so we would never forget them. When we needed them most.

Three. Darcy said, starting the countdown.

Two. I filled in and then took a large steadying breath.

One. We both said at the same time and released our Mage powers with full force.

Immediately our bodies released from the frozen hold and we were able to direct our powers towards Matlock. I moved to stand beside Darcy, where we stood shoulder to shoulder as we intertwined our powers to completely end the Dark Mage power for good.

Our intertwined power glowed purple as it streamed from us to Matlock. Matlock lashed out counter strike with streams of pure black Dark Mage power.

With all of our strength we held off the Dark Mage power. Purple and black glowing light battled against one another. Fighting for control. Neither willing to give in.

My hands were outstretched with power flowing from my palms. My arms began to shake the longer the battle of good versus evil continued on. My breathing became shallow and my vision began to darken along the edges.

No! I have to carry on. Matlock is still going strong. We will not falter!

Together! Together! We will win this, together! These thoughts are my mantra, as I feel myself grow weaker and weaker.

Suddenly figures begin to appear all around me. Filling me with strength and hope.

The first person I see is Adam. He looks unlike the others. The others look like spirits, but Adam is more like an apparition. Similar to how he appeared when I first met him outside his house in the Himalayas.

Remember Elizabeth, you both were made to do this! Don't give into the darkness! Adam's words echoed in my thoughts. Helping me to push harder and harder.

Adam disappeared and in his place a couple appeared that I had never met, but immediately I recognized them as Darcy's parents.

Oh Elizabeth! You are so beautiful and strong! I have seen the prophecy my dear and you and Fitzwilliam not only defeat the Darkness but you go on to live a beautiful life together. Hold on my darling. Don't stop! Darcy's mothers words wrap around me like a warm embrace. Almost making me want to weep, feeling so loved by a woman I was never able to meet.

We believe in you dear girl. Stay strong! For we know you are a fighter to be able to put up with Fitzwilliam. His fathers sweet words and laughter filled my thoughts and it surprised me how similar it was to Darcy's laugh.

Just like before with Adam, Darcy's parents disappeared and another couple came into view. This time it was my parents. At first the sight of them was so overwhelming, I wanted to forget all about removing the Dark Mage power and cling on to them and this moment forever.

Mama! Papa! Are you really there? I said through my tears that were streaming down my face. Trying to remain focused on the fight but struggling with my parents so near, yet so far.

Oh Lizzy! You found yourself such a handsome man and so well off. I can not believe he is so taken with you. A cough from my father interrupted Mama's speech. Causing me to let out a small giggle. Of course that is what she is focusing on when I am in the middle of the battle for my life. Oh I'm sorry, you can do this Lizzy. We love you!

Elizabeth, I wanted you to know that I didn't keep the prophecy from you because I didn't believe you could do it. I kept it from you because I knew that Dark Mages were infiltrating the council. I didn't want you being influenced by them in any way as you grew up. My father explained with so much compassion and warmth. Reminding me of the love I always felt from him.

How could I have ever doubted that?

Papa, did Matlock kill you? It seemed obvious now, but I had to know for sure.

Yes, he was desperate to get to you. He tried many ways throughout the years. I had been blessed to stop all his attempts. But after his final attempt he became so enraged he ended our lives quickly. There was hardly any pain.

A sob tried to work itself out of me, but I pushed it back down. Knowing this wasn't the time.

Elizabeth, all of your hurt, all of your anger you have to get it out of your heart. Push it out of yourself now and release the full power that is within you.

Thank you Papa. I will. I love you.

And I love you Elizabeth. Now go and finish this.

With that my parents were gone. All that remained were Darcy and I against the no longer human Matlock.

Darcy, my father came to me and told me to let go of all anger and hurt in my heart. That I had to let go fully of the darkness. That is the only way to release our powers completely.

I could feel his anger rise just from the thought of having to remove it. I had seen his anger flare multiple times since knowing him. His hurt has been with him for so long, I am sure it's like an extra layer of skin now. My own anger and hurt is so fresh compared to his that has been quietly simmering for years now.

I lowered my right hand and focused all my power into my left. With my right hand, I reached out and grabbed his wrist. It was the closest I could get to him at the moment. I could feel his eyes on me. And little by little I could feel his anger lessen.

After a few minutes he nodded his head giving me the go ahead. I removed my right hand and did as my father said. I got a hold of all of the darkness that had hardened my heart since my parents had died and I banished it completely. Then with every fiber of my being I let my power loose. It seemed to explode out of me.

At the same time I watched in amazement as Darcy's did the same. As our powers met in the middle the two separate explosions ignited as they intertwined together. Massive purple flames over took the black light that glowed from Matlock. Before we knew it, the purple flames had crept up his arms and invaded his whole body. When his whole body erupted in flames, my heart hurt to watch the once human man burn alive. At one time he was a loving husband, father and uncle. If only he wouldn't have let the Dark Mage power take over him.

Darcy said a spell I was unfamiliar with and the flames disappeared. Matlock immediately fell to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Darcy and I stared deep into eachothers eyes. Still in disbelief that we did it. That we took down the Dark Mages for good. He smiled a tender smile at me, but I could see weariness in his eyes. I knew it perfectly because it mirrored my own.

I felt Darcy hold my hand and interlock our fingers. Before we could say anything else, pitch blackness engulfed me.

*Authors Note*

I know! I know! Mean Emiline. No need to hate me, all is well I promise. It was just the best place to end this chapter.

Phew, I can not believe I made it through the battle! I was dreading this chapter from the very beginning of creating this story. But yesterday morning at 4:30 AM it came to me.

I hope you all enjoyed it.

Two more chapters and then I believe our story will come to an end.

I can't thank you all enough for all the favorites, follows and comments. They mean the world to me! I almost have 200 follows and I am hoping that to be true by the time this story finishes. Thank you for your constant support and interest in my story!