Cheers rang through the forest while we all celebrated in victory. Was that it? Was it over? My family, who was watching from the house, opened the door and came running out onto deck. They were looking around in disbelief at the creatures that had helped me battle. No one spoke; my friends just lowered their weapons and stood to meet my family.
Mom locked eyes with me and began to cry. Mom was my safe place, and it felt like ages since I had last hugged her. She came running off the deck, and I ran towards her. Exhausted both physically and mentally, all I wanted to do was collapse in her arms.
As I reached to hug her, a loud low rumble of thunder echoed through the sky that ended with a growling of my name. A familiar crackle sound shot out from behind me and a black lightning bolt grazed my left shoulder. Mom eyes grew large in fear as she tried to catch me. The sound of another bolt of energy whizzed past my TheStumpOnline.com ear and I was filled with sheer terror, as the bolt careened past me, hitting my mom in the chest. Once again, time moved in slow motion. I couldn’t get to my feet fast enough as the force of the impact, sent her body flying through the air. She slammed into the side of the house, her body limp as she slumped down motionless to the ground.
NOOOOOO! I screamed, painfully, through my fears. I tried to run to her side, but another black flame hit the ground right in front of me halting my efforts.
Mom! Wake up, Mom! Please! I felt hot tears streaming down my face and rage filled every part of my body, as I heard the familiar evil cackle ring through the air. I reeled around on my heels, clenched my jaw, and found my target.
Hovering above the forest trees, straddling with one foot on the back of two black Smoke Dragons, was Sukanar. His steel grey eyes were, again, focused on me. More Smoke Dragons flanked each side and time stood still. The familiar feeling, of Sukanar gaze stealing my soul, was replaced with the hatred, which boiled inside me.
Magical creatures scattered in all directions, but I stood firm. The beating of the Smoke Dragon wings tossed my hair in slow motion, but this time not in my eyes. My heart pounded in my head, and I felt rage overtake me.
My birthmark burned, and my orb was as hot as a fire poker. Sukanar raised his arms over his head and red and black energy was balling around his okgertips. His stare was focused on me. The last time I had locked onto his steel grey eyes, I felt all of my goodness seep out of me. But this time, I felt nothing. His power over me was failing and I was growing stronger.
He threw his arms down, pointed directly at my chest, and released the energy field that shot from his okgers. The slow motion ended and chaos erupted. Everyone sprang into action.