The Prophesy. 88

 As the sun sank behind the western mountains of Taggitia, Talsara Darkshade opened her eyes and sat up from a long day of sleeping. Today was going to be a special day for her. She had finally managed to catch her renegade son and lock him up in his tower. Today she would have him chained, beaten and displayed in the city center as a trap to catch her main target, Aron Neveral, the seventh son of the Eventide blood line. Finally she would be done with that damned prophesy and prove that Hasmira was wrong.
As he dressed she thought about Hasmira's prophesy. She had said one and two would die and she was right. Shael and Zaior were killed in the war against the Shadowdragon along with their father. Evindal the third son fell under her spell and became a wild beast. Jake the fourth son merged with a dragon and became the master of fear. The fifth son, is Adanar the protector of his sister and as the prophesy promised, the new king of Eventide. That left Ryel and it was said that he would find his lost brother and he did. It was Ryel who discovered that Aron was the seventh Eventide son. All of Hasmira's prophesy's had come true but there was one more, and this was the one that was most important to Talsara. The prophesy said that the seventh would destroy either the light or the dark meaning Darkshade or Eventide. Talsara wanted to control Aron to make sure Darkshade survived the prediction. With Elan in her hands, she knew she could make Aron give himself over to her.
Once dressed, she sent for Llyra to meet her at Elan's tower and she left her royal apartment. On her way she stopped and ordered a last breakfast for her son. Since she had every intention of killing him anyway, she didn't want him to die hungry.
With a slave following with a try filled with a hot breakfast, Talsara made her way to Elan's tower. as she walked, she was making plans on how she could strike against Winterhaven once Eventide had fallen and was in her control.
As she came around a corner and approached Elan's tower, she saw Llyra standing alone at the stairs up into the tower. There should be two warriors there standing guard to keep Elan up there. Where were they?
"Where are the guards I stationed here?" She asked. "Did you see them?"
"There was no one here when I arrived your majesty."
Talsara looked up the stairs and saw the open door. Swinging out, she knocked the try of food out of the slaves hands and ran up the stairs in into Elan's room. From the bottom of the stairs, Llyra heard the scream.
"Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!"
Llyra smiled to herself knowing what Talsara had just found. A few seconds later, Talsara stormed her way down the stairs to Llyra.
"HE'S GONE!!!!" Her eyes were on fire with anger. "THE BASTARD IS GONE! I WANT THE PALACE SEARCHED ROOM BY ROOM, I WANT ALL OF DARKSHADE SEARCHED HOUSE BY HOUSE. THEY HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE HERE, SOMEONE IS HELPING THEM!"
"Who your majesty?" Llyra asked. "There's no one here that could get him out of the tower."
"There is one person." She said as she turned and headed back to her study. "Find Wyn. Bring him to me in chains if you have too."
"Yes your majesty." Llyra ran off. As Llyra left the study, Talsara called for her Imp Aesis. With the sound of a magical pop, Aesis appeared and bowed to his queen.
"You called my Queen?"
"Elan has escaped." She waked to her desk and sat down. "They're both out there somewhere plotting to take my throne from me. My throne, the one I killed for. They want to take it from me!!!"
"We won't let them my Queen." Aesis popped onto her shoulder and whispered in her ear. "We can make them surrender to you, then I can kill them both!"
"How?"
"The Shadowfalls" Aesis slick voice cooed. "Call them in. I have a surprise for you."

It was a beautiful night as Aron slipped out of the house and walked through the grounds of the Duskmere estate. It was very dark and dreary here with very plain looking buildings except for in the palace. He walked quietly through the Duskmere family cemetery trying to put his thoughts together. He was worried about Elan. It had been so long since the last time they were together and he missed being in his arms. He knew he was here in the palace he was scared of what his mother might do to him. Aron just didn't understand that woman. She had no heart and no idea what it mean to love anything but herself. Not her son, her husband or the land she called her own. All she cared about was getting power, as much as she could. Aron knew if someone didn't stop her soon, her forces would be at the doors of every kingdom in Taggitia. But what was he to do? Though talented, Aron was just one elf. How was he suppose to stand against Talsara and all of her forces? He knew the others would help, but still, he would need a army to stand against such odds.
As Aron stood staring into the night sky, there was a sudden flash of light to his left. It was a flash he had seen many times back when he and Elan were in the Academy. It was the appearance of Elan's fathers Imp, Argus. Aron turned to greet his small friend when he heard hid name being called.
"ARON!!"
Aron couldn't believe what he saw. Was it real? Dressed in his dirty and torn uniform, Elan Darkshade came running toward him. Aron blinked and rubbed his eyes thinking this might be one of Talsara's traps, but when he opened his eyes again, Elan was taking him in his arms and kissing him deeply.
"By the gods I've been so worried about you." Elan said holding him him close. "I thought my mother had done something horrible to you."
"Elan?" Aron pushed back and looked him deeply in his eyes. "Am I dreaming? Is this real? Are you really here?"
"Yes A'maelamin." Elan smiled. "Ta Amin."
Aron grabbed him and held on tightly as if he never planned to let go. As the two lovers reunited, Liat with Argus on his shoulder came walking out of the night behind them followed by Kel. As they parted, Aron noticed Kel and Liat behind them.
"So this is where you disappeared to." Aron reached out a shook his hand to thank him. "I will forever be in your debt."
"No, It's an honor to serve my true king." Kel bowed. "This is.."
"I know who this is." Aron nodded his greeting to the king. "King Wyn."
"No." Elan explained. "This is Wyn's body, but the spirit of my true father now inhabit it. This is Liat Caldras."
Aron looked up at Liat. He wasn't sure what to think. He had met Wyn Limeira before and thought he had heard what he had done, he still trusted him. Wyn had always treated them both with love and respect. Aron had never doubted that Wyn truly loved Elan and would protect him with his life. Now, they were telling him Wyn was dead and replaced by Elan's real fathers spirit. Strange things had come to pass in this dark place and Aron knew it wasn't over yet.
"I realized this all must seem strange to both of you." Liat said. "But Wyn gave his life to save you both. I promise I will honor him and his memory for his sacrifice. But not right now. Now we have to get moving. Talsara by now will have found out Elan is gone and she will have all of Darkshade searched for him. We have to find somewhere safe to plan our next move."
"Then we show go warn the others." Kel said as he stepped around Elan and Aron. "We should move from here. Jassin might have told Talsara everything. We should get back to the house."
With Kel and Liat in the lead, they headed back to Duskmere estate from the cemetery. As they left the dark graveyard and entered the grounds of the main house, they realized the house was surrounded by Talsara's warriors. Kel grabbed Elan and Aron and pushed them down behind a line of bushes, then hid himself behind a tree. Liat faded to a ghostly image and levitated himself up into the trees.
"What's going on?" Aron asked peeking over the shrubs.
"They found us." Kel warned them as he reached for his sword. "Get ready to fight."
"No, listen." Elan stopped him. "They're not here for us, they want Ryel and the others."
Sure enough, as they watched. Ryel, Toric, Noelle, Artin and Orek were taken out of the house at sword point. As Artin was pushed towards a caged wagon, he tried to grab for a warriors sword but didn't make it. A Darkshade warrior kicked out tripping him. Before he could get to his feet, another warrior stabbed down sending his sword skewering right through his throat. Horrified, Ryel turned and attacked the warrior. A left hook, then a spin kick sent the warrior flying back to the ground. Then before any of the others could react, another warrior jammed the hilt of his sword into the back of Ryel's head knocking him out.
Kel wanted to go to their rescue, but Elan stopped him. He knew they couldn't win against so many warriors right now but there was still time to save them. As they watched, Ryel and the others were loaded into the caged wagon and taken away.
Once all the warriors were gone, Elan, Aron and Kel went back to the house. Liat re materialized and joined them in the kitchen at the table.
"This is not good." Aron said. "Just the four of us against her whole army?"
"Five." Said a voice behind them. They turned to find Denner standing at the door holding Artin's body. "There's five of us at the moment."
"What do you mean at the moment?" Elan asked.
"I mean this has gone on far enough." Denner told them as he put Artin down. "Talsara has gone to far. I called for help."
"I agree." Elan said as he came over and looked over Artin's dead body. "I've been to many different lands on my way home and I've seen the damage she's done across Fay Shrea and the Elven lands. So many have died in her quest for power and I'm sick of it. It has to end now."
"Then let's end this." Aron took Elan's hand. "I'm not afraid anymore. If she wants me. It's time she gets what she wants. No more hiding."
"How?" Elan asked. "We can't just walk into the palace and challenge her. We woulds never make it into the courtyard. Her guards would be on us as soon as we showed our faces."
"There is a way." Liat stood up and paced the kitchen. When Talsara is at home in Ruavia castle, there's a place she disappears to for an hour every night. I followed her there but I never was able to get inside. Something always stopped my ghost form from entering. That's where we should attack."
"Can you take us there?" Kel asked.
"Yes I can."
"Then here's what we have to do." Aron gathered his friends. "Listen...."

With Elan safe and resting, Aron went out and sat in the garden to think. He had told them he wasn't afraid to face Talsara, but that was a lie. He knew he would have no chance against her. She was way beyond his power level. He might be able to hold her off for a short while but in the end, she would overwhelm him and there wasn't anything he could do about it. He had to find some way or something that that would give him a chance. But what? What could he do? There had to be a way.
As he sat there, a warm feeling spreading out from his chest pocket. He reach up and felt it then remembered the dice King Rhys had given him. Taking them out, Aron held the two warm square bones in his hand. Maybe they would have his answer. Cupping them in his hand, Aron shook them and asked his question.
"How can I defeat Talsara Darkshade?"
He rolled the dice. As they hit the ground, the dice split into six cubes and came to a stop. Aron looked down and read what they said.
D A S Y R A

Aron wasn't sure what that meant, so he rolled them again. This time they spelled out.

M O T H E R

"Dasyra?" Then he remembered, "Dasyra Eventide! Ryel's mother. My mother!"

But how could he find her?

"Just call to her." Liat said from behind him. "She will come. She has been with you since the day of her death, watching over you. Just as I watched over Elan. There are many watching you Aron. Just call her, she will come."

As Liat went back to the house, Aron looked up and the beautiful starlit sky. A strong feeling of love spread through his entire body as he thought of Dasyra Eventide. He had met her once when he was at school and had felt something when see looked at him. 

"Are you really my mother?" He asked the stars.

[Yes I am my handsome son.] Dasyra Eventide appeared as a ghostly image in front of him. There were tears in her eyes as she gazed at him.

"Then why?" He asked. "Why did you send me away."

[To protect you and Eventide.] She said. Her voice was soft and filled with love. [From the moment I heard Hasmira prophesy we knew Talsara would never stop until she killed you. we couldn't allow that to happen. Your father and I knew we might not live to see you at home with your brothers and sisters but we had to make sure you grew up safe.]

"So I could die at her hands here?"

[No.] She said. [So you could meet and love Elan. so you could free him and Darkshade from the curse that is his mother. So you could bring peace to Eventide.]

"But I can't beat her. She's to strong for me."

[Have faith my sweet Aron. You are not alone.]

As pain flared all through his body, Ryel woke up screaming. He opened his eyes to find Zaos Shadowfall standing in front of him holding a small razor sharp knife while Amra Calaudra watched. Ryel's eyes quickly darted left and right unsure where he was but sure he was in deep trouble. He was in a round chamber chained to a wall. Toric, Noelle and Orek were chained right beside him. Neither Aron or Elan were there thank Rimnar. This was obviously one of Talsara's torture towers, there were different types of torture instruments on tables and racks all around the room. It looked like they were in for a very painful stay.
"Ahh." Zaos smiled. "I see my favorite forest elf is awake. I guess its time we have some fun. You thought you were rid of me didn't you."
"Yeah well." Ryel looked up at Zaos. "I guess I was wrong."
"You sure were." Zaos putted his cheek. "We're going to become real good friends before this is over."
"Fat chance of that happening." Ryel snickered as he tugged at his chains. "So what do you want?"
"Me? Nothing." He walked to the table and picked up a sharpening stone and started sharpening the knife in his hand. "But Queen Talsara has a few questions she wants answered. Well one mainly. Where is Elan and Aron?"
"Ha ha ha!" Ryel laughed. "You think pain will make me betray my brother, you really aren't very smart are you."
"I don't really care whether you tell me or not." Zaos shrugged. "I'm going to slice you into little pieces either way. But I have to at least try and get some information, Talsara will expect that."
"Well I don't know where they are so you might as well get on with it."
"As you wish."  Zaos stepped up close to Ryel and put the knife to his face. "This is going to hurt,"
He sliced a cut from his hairline down to his chin. Ryel gritted his teeth holding back his scream not wanting to give Zaos the pleasure of seeing his pain. as the blood started to flow, Zaos sliced the other side.
Pain ripped through Ryel's face as Zaos cut into him. In his mind he screamed out sending his mental vibrations out to those around him. Toric and the others felt every cut Zaos carved into Ryel but there was nothing any of them could do to stop his pain.
With a smile on his face, Zaos ripped away Ryel's tunic and started on his chest. When he was done, deep slices had been carved in vertical and horizontal lines all over Ryel's naked body. Though tears ran down from his eyes, he never, not once uttered a cry out loud. Frustrated, Zaos put down his knife then turned to Toric.
"Your next." He said. "And it will be a lot worst you can be sure."
"You should kill one of them, Zaos." Amra said casually. "For what they did to us."
"They will die soon enough." He smiled wiping the knife on Toric's tunic. "You can be sure of that. But first, I want them to know what it means to anger a Shadow elf."
"You can torture us if you want Zaos Shadowfall." Toric said. "You could even kill us, but I promise you one thing. Our deaths won't be the end. They will come for you, maybe not today, but I swear you both will die screaming."
Amra walked up to Toric and smacked his face then spit at him. She grabbed a knife from the table and raised it to strike.
"We shall see who dies screaming."
Just then a door opened and a dark elf entered. He looked around then went to Zaos.
"Queen Talsara wants to see you."
"We'll be there in a minute." Zaos told him.
"She wants to see you now!" The elf demanded. "Do not keep her waiting."
"Fine." Zaos took the knife from Amra and put it back on the table. "Come my lady, the queen awaits."

It was a cool evening as Talsara sat and watched from the balcony her warriors do practice battles in the courtyard. She had ordered on this night, winner take the prize and the loser dies. Her warriors eager to kill, accepted the terms without question. There was blood in the air and the bodies of the losers lay all around either dead or dying. As General Rhone called for the next challenge, Prince Zaos and Lady Amra were led out onto the balcony for their audience with the queen. Adjusting his
cloak, Prince Zaos walked out to stand in front of Talsara blocking her line of sight. Moving just her eyes she looked up at Zaos with a icy stare. Quickly he realized his mistake and stepped aside and bowed to her.
"Well." She said still watching the battle. "You have something to tell me."
"First I wish to thank you for releasing us from that prison they put us in."
Talsara waved off their foolish gratitude. If they didn't produce results, she planned to send them right back then smash the gem.
"Your task was to find my son and the Eventide." She said calmly. "Have you found them?"
"Not yet." He answered. "But I've just begun the questioning. Give me the rest of the night and I will have your answer."
"Do you see these warriors down there?" She looked up into Zaos's eyes. "Each one of them is ready to give his life at my command. As a matter of fact, every elf in Darkshade lives only at my whim. They will all die if I so command it. Watch this."
Talsara stood and walked to the railing of her balcony to address the hundreds of warriors before her. In a loud clear voice she called out to them.
"Who is your Queen?"
"TALSARA DARKSHADE IS OUR QUEEN!" Came their answer ringing out from each warrior.
"Your queen wants your lives." She pointed to a group of twenty warriors. "Will you die for me?"
"YES MY QUEEN!"
The twenty warriors without any hesitation pulled a dagger from their belts and plunged them into their hearts. Like cards they all fell over dead. Talsara turned back to Prince Zaos.
"If you do not find Elan by tomorrow at this time, you will do the same and then I will march on Shadowfall and kill every single elf in your land. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes your majesty." Zaos bowed. "I understand and I will not fail you."
"Let's hope tomorrow I'll be marching on Eventide and not Shadowfall." She sat back down to finishing watched the bloody battles. "You may go now."

It was cold as Talsara walked up the stairway into the temple of Darkshade's patron dark god. She was dressed in her furred cloak to keep warm and and on her shoulder sat the hideous Imp Aesis. Following behind her came Prince Zaos, Lady Amra, General Rhone and two of his warriors each carrying a torch to light there way. As she walked, Talsara whispered a quiet spell that sent a spark to the torches that lined the wall. One by one they burst to life illuminating the chamber. The chamber had been built in the usually Dark elf style of architecture with hard lines and swirls that decorated the room.
Ahead of them, General Rhone saw the statue of Talsara's god. He sat very tall on his throne and handsome and hideous at the same time built out of obsidian. His eyes had a cold look of horror to them and the sneer on his face dared you to disobey his commands. In front of the statue sat a huge man sized altar covered in dried blood with dried bones scattered all around it. Whoever this god was, he was obviously feed by Talsara and her priestess very often and from the bones, the General knew just what they feed him.
As they all made it to the altar, Talsara ordered them to make a circle around the altar. With Talsara in the center, they all spread out hand in hand as she started to chant.
"Why are we here?" Amra asked Zaos quietly. "We have better things to do."
"We do as the queen command." He whispered.
"And if she wants us on that altar?"
Zaos squeezed her hand to assure her that wouldn't happen, he hoped.
As Talsara's chant grew louder, she pointed to one of the two warriors and ordered him onto the altar. The warriors eyes grew wade as he realized what she wanted. He hesitated for a second and looked at the General who eyed him with his hand on his sword. Then he walked to the altar and climbed on and laid down. A knife appeared in the queens hand as she shouted to the statue. The torches dimmed and the chamber grew even colder as they all felt the presence of the dark god. Talsara's chant rang out as she raised the knife above the chest of the warrior ready to plunge it down through his heart. The warrior closed his eyes and said a short prayer to Jax for mercy.
Suddenly out of nowhere, a bolt of energy streaked out and blasted the knife from Talsara's hand. She jumped back clutching her hand.
"WHO DARES TO ATTACK ME!!"
"I dare!"
Talsara turned to the door and there standing at the entrance was Aron, Elan, Liat, Kel, Denner and Argus.
"Well well well." Talsara smiled and stepped out in front of the altar. "If it isn't my bastard son and his trader father. And you brought me a gift, the last Eventide. How can I ever thank you."
"I have no gifts for you mother." Elan stood tall with his friends. "What I have is hope for our people.  Hope for a better future then the one they could have under your tyrannical rule."
"Tyrannical?" She laughed. "You're calling me a tyrant? Your own dear sweet loving mother?"
"Loving?" Aron shouted. "What would you know about loving anything? You treat your mate like a slave, your son like an embarrassment and you had your own parents killed in your lust for power. Do you even know what love is?"
"I may not know much about love." Talsara raised her hand as she gathered magic. "But I can show you what hate can do. Attend your queen and kill them all!!"
As Talsara's bolt shot out, Aron pushed Elan aside and quickly formed a shield to intercept her blast. The bolt hit Aron's shield and was deflected off to hit a wall of the temple. With fast reflexes, Aron sent his own blast out at her which she waved off with one hand.
"You leave Elan alone Witch. Your fight is with me!"
"Very well saura'er." Her hands glowed with power. "The others will deal with him. You are mine to destroy, but I think a little help is in order."
Turning back to the altar, Talsara jabbed her hands down through the chest of the warrior on the altar piercing his heart.

GRIFFINS , MANTICORES, HYDRAS AND SUCH.
I CALL TO THY WITH JUST A TOUCH.
A MONSTER I WILL MAKE OF THY,
A MONSTER THAT WILL FIGHT FOR ME.

As the warrior sat up, pain flared through his entire body. He felt like his skin was was on fire and his bones were breaking. He rolled off the altar onto the floor screaming as his body began to change. His voice became a pained gravely roar as chest and lungs expanded. His back cracked as it grew in size and a tail with a barbed stinger. He grew fur and paws with sharp enormous claws. His body swelled to more than triple in size. Where once there was a man, now a monstrous manticore reared up and roared out a challenge.
"Attack!" She ordered.
Jumping over the altar. the manticore charged in for the attack. When Denner saw the great beast charge, he ran forward shifting his form as he ran. In seconds he went from man to the form of a Red Dragon and dived in at the huge manticore. With a great roar, Denner sent a stream of fire at the beast burning the fur on its mane. Resisting the heat, the manticore charged at Denner and tried to grab him. Its claws raked at the scales on Denners chest and its stinger swung around and stabbed at him, moving his head, he blocked the stinger and bite into the beast shoulder. It screamed in pain and bucked and threw him off.

As Elan squared off against Lady Amra, she looked at him in a wicked way as they both gathered their magic for the fight.
"Where are they?" Elan asked.
"Where are who?" She gave him an innocent look. "You mean your friends? I'll tell you since you'll never live to see them again. They're in the east tower, what use to be your room. It seemed like the perfect place to torture them."
"If any of them are hurt." Elan took a step towards her.
"You'll what? Kill me?" Her hands glowed red. She was ready to fight. "You can try little prince, but I don't think you have it in you. So let's see what you can do."
Raising her hands over her head, Amra made two red glowing circles of power and sent them at Elan. Like arrows they shot through the air coming straight at him. Elan took a fighting stances and sent a wave of force out to disrupt her spell. As the wave hit, it sent them right back at her. With a wave of her hand, Amra dispatched the circles and sent a bolt of energy at him. Quickly Elan ducked as the bolt blasted a hole in the wall behind him.
"You're fast." She said as they circled. Amra's fingers flexed as she reviewed her deadly spells in her mind. "But are you skilled enough to fight me."
"I am a Darkshade." Elan stood tall as he spoke. "I may not be as cruel as my mother, but I have what it takes to beat you."
"Then kill me young prince." Amra started weaving her death spell. "Or I promise you, this will be your last night in Darkshade."

When the fighting started, Zaos Shadowfall looked down to find King Wyn Limeira walking towards him. He smiled and slid his two blades from their scabbards ready for what he expected to be an easy win for him.
"So the king of Darkshade finally finds courage." Zaos saluted him by touching his blade to his forehead. "But the question is, does courage really suit you?"
"You know nothing about the courage of Wyn Limeira." Liat said. "And even less about me. So if you don't mind, let's just get this over with."
"I know more about you then you think King Wyn." Zaos raised his sword and readied himself to fight. "You're no swordsmen. You're nothing but backstabbing coward, An assassin, This should be easy."
"Like I said." Wyn smiled. "You don't know me at all."
As Zaos came in for a strike, Liat stood completely still, then with lightning speed his sword was in his hand. Liat swept up with his sword knocking Zaos's blade aside then sent two quick punches at his nose. For a second, Zaos saw stars. He staggered back in shock with blood running down his face and looked up at Wyn.
"Not going to be as easy as you thought, huh?" Liat smiled. "And you can call me by my real name."
"What's that?" Zaos asked.
"I am Captain Liat Caldas of Queen Caline's Red Skulls." Liat nodded. "And you should leave Darkshade now!"

Chaos had broken out in the temple. All around the combatants had squared off. General Rhone fought Kel Orama in one corner while Argus and Aesis zipped around blasting at each other. Elan and Amra stood apart casting spell after spell at each waiting to find a weakness and gain an advantage while above their heads, the two beast ripped and tore at each other.
At the altar, Talsara laughed and taunted Aron as they battled. Her spells against his. She was surprised at his strength and endurance, but very confident at the outcome. Though he was an Eventide, there was no way he had the power to defeat her. In her mind she was the most powerful in the land and the closest thing there was to being a goddess. No petty elf could possibly defeat her.
What she didn't know was that Aron and Elan didn't fight alone. There were many others standing at their side lending them their strength and their support. And as the sun began to rise, fatigue started to show its face.

"You grow tire young Aron." Talsara said as she blasted away at his shields. "How much longer can you hold out? Five minutes, ten minute, half an hour? Give up now and I will give you and your friends a peaceful death. There will be no pain I promise."
"No!" Aron on his knees poured more of his strength into his shield. "I have to hold out. I can't stop now. Too many depend on us."
"If you mean the Eventides." Talsara laughed."Don't worry yourself about them. I promise to kill every last Eventide in the land, first you then all your brothers and sisters!!"
"NO!" Aron shouted. "NO NO NO!!!!!"
With that, Aron started to glow as his power suddenly increased. In his head he heard the voice of Dasyra and Hasmira at the same time.
[Aron, the prophesy. Don't forget the prophesy.]
"1 and 2 will die." He said as pushed out with increased strength. "3 will be wild and 4 will rule fear!"
Talsara gritted her teeth as Aron's strength started to overwhelm her. She frowned at his power and doubled her effort.
"5 will be king and 6 will find 7!" Aron climbed to his feet, his eyes blazing with power. Suddenly Dasyra and Hasmira appeared behind him and put their hand on his shoulder adding their power to his. When they touched him, confidence filled his soul and his hate melted away.
"7 will be the destruction of light or dark. Of Tide or Shade. Fear the Seventh. Fear the seventh son of Eventide!!"
As he finished reciting the prophesy, a burst of raging power streaked out and took hold of Talsara. She screamed as the power started to burn through her. It lifted her up off the ground and sucked every ounce of power from her body then she started to burn. Her screams rang out through all of Darkshade as Talsara Darkshade died.
With Talsara dead, her manticore burst into a shower of dark sparks that rained down around Denner. Aesis screamed and flew headlong into the burning pyre that was his queen. General Rhone and the others stopped battling. Zaos ran to Amra,

"She's dead!" He said. "Talsara is dead!!"
"What do we do now?" Amra asked.
"We keep fighting." The General shouted. "Darkshade never surrenders!"
"I am Darkshade now." Elan stepped forward. "And as my right as the next in line, I order you to surrender."
"NO!' Rhone shouted. "The queen despised you. Darkshade will never follow you, and no man will ever rule here. Not you or your Eventide mate. When we're done here, I plan to take our warriors and move on Eventide and the rest of Taggitia!"
"Over my dead body." Elan shouted.
"And mine!" Came a voice from behind them. Everyone turned to find Adanar Eventide, Tof Tyr, Rage and Jandar standing at the entrance to the temple dressed in full battle armor. "This war is over once and for all. Darkshade is no more!"
"No!" General Rhone charged Elan with his sword raised to cut him down. Aron stepped in front of him and sent a blast of energy at the Dark elf that incinerated him on the spot.
"It's over." He said taking Elan's hand. "And I never want to never want to step foot in this place again."
"You won't have too." Elan hugged Aron tight. "I promise, you won't have too. Let's go get Ryel and the others and get out of here. Jandar and Adanar can figure out what to do with Darkshade. I don't want it."