Chapter 47: Balance of Power
The Order of the White Oak charged forward, their dark magic clashing with our combined forces. Kael and Lyrien fought valiantly, while Eirlys and Aethera bolstered my magic.
"Maintain the ritual, Ava!" Aethera shouted. "We'll hold off the Order!"
I focused on the artifacts, channeling my energy into the celestial bodies. The alignment began to shift, but the Order's interference weakened my magic.
Suddenly, Lyrien appeared beside me, his sword flashing in the moonlight.
"Protect Ava!" he yelled, deflecting a dark spell.
Kael joined the fray, his movements fluid and deadly.
"Ava, we're holding them off!" Kael called out. "Keep going!"
With renewed determination, I poured my magic into the ritual. The celestial bodies responded, their alignment crumbling.
The Order's leader, enraged, unleashed a devastating blast of dark magic.
"No!" Eirlys screamed, leaping to intercept the spell.
The blast struck Eirlys, sending her tumbling to the ground.
"Aethera, help!" I cried.
Aethera rushed to Eirlys' side, her healing magic swirling around her.
"Hold on, Eirlys!" Aethera whispered.
Eirlys' eyes locked onto mine. "Finish... the ritual... Ava."
With a deep breath, I summoned every ounce of magic within me.
"By the ancient powers," I whispered, "let balance be restored."
"Nothing happened, what's going on?"
The Order of the White Oak retreated, their dark magic dissipating.
As the dust settled, I rushed to Eirlys' side.
"Eirlys, no!" I sobbed.
Aethera's expression turned somber. "Eirlys sacrificed herself to save us."
Lyrien's eyes clouded. "Her memory will live on. We'll ensure the Order pays for their crimes."