Titans: Revelation (Book 4 of the Titans Saga)

by C. J. Lloyd

  Violet kept her composure, no longer fearing what came next as Jennifer turned, her eyes a golden light burning with confidence. “You trust me, right?”

  “With my life.” Violet hardened her expression and focused on Calamity and Elric below. Now let’s see what happens.

  Violet watched as Elric leaned forward, releasing a blast from his claws. Calamity did the same, losing her arm in the process. Elric’s blast overtook Calamity’s and consumed her, a shriek of agony following as his blast ripped forward.

  A roaring wave of blackness filled everything below—even the massive aura of light. Violet couldn’t see anything, but the light held strong.

  Chapter 26

  All That We Have

  Against the tremors and blackened sky, Violet’s gaze didn’t shift. She had to know. The overpowering darkness, the bitter coldness, it was all there. So was Elric.

  The reverberation of the blast faded, and the darkness began to seep into the crevices of the island. Everything below had been pulverized to black dust, and where Calamity once stood was a sliver of blackness. It was almost like someone jabbed a knife into their reality. It wasn’t quite like the black holes created by the Wrath, but it was similar in color and energy.

  Eden and the others looked over Violet’s shoulder down at the clearing blackness. The shield of light collapsed, and Jennifer took a knee, gasping for air.

  “Hey, you okay?” Violet knelt beside her.

  Jennifer gave a thumbs up. “I don’t think I’ve done that before with so much power behind it. I had to keep fortifying it. That could’ve been bad.” She smirked.

  “He vaporized her,” Rai yelled, shielding her eyes from the sun’s rays and focusing below. “Wait. I see Elric. He looks beat too.”

  Eden’s fingers became claws and his canines sharpened over his bottom lip. Violet sensed Sirocco and saw the wild beast in his eyes. “This is our chance. Now’s the time to end this before he gets powered up.”

  Eden vanished, leaving behind a trail of blowing sand that flowed toward Elric. “Eden, stop! You don’t know the situation.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Tell the others to back me up. Now!”

  Violet gritted her teeth. “He’s so stupid when he gets like this. Let’s back him.”

  Elric rose to his feet and looked up at her. Eden appeared with a fist condensed with air. He smashed the blow into Elric’s chest. Nothing. Elric smacked him out of the crater and into the air, where he landed on the opposite side of the sandy hole.

  Elric vanished, only to appear in front of the castle a few yards away. He was taller in this new form and looked more frightening than Calamity.

  “Eden, you alright?” Violet asked.

  “I’m ... fine. Stupid move. That one’s on me.”

  Relief came in a deep exhale that fell from Violet’s dry blood-crusted lips, but it was short-lived as her gaze returned to Elric.

  “Elric, snap out of it,” Jen yelled. “This is getting old.”

  Elric’s wings dropped and wrapped around him like a long leather cloak. A thick long reptilian tail rested on the ground next to his talon-like feet.

  “The last time the Titans clashed with the dark one, the battle was cataclysmic. The entire world shook and was nearly destroyed,” he said with a strange voice. “And this time, we’ll do just that.”

  He looked up with a face of sorrow.

  Eden dusted the sand from his clothes and hair. He raced to Jen’s side with the others. “You think you can take us all on, you cocky bastard?”

  “My goal would be attainable once you died.”

  Rai tightened her fists. “You’ve got some nerve.”

  Five serpents slithered from the ocean and bolted after him. Black streams shot from the earth and pierced the manifestations turning their clear bodies black and their turquoise eyes red like Elric’s. The serpents turned from him and faced Violet and the others instead.

  Violet watched as Rai struggled to gain control. “It’s not working. I can’t do anything. It’s like they won’t listen to me anymore.”

  Three earth apes leaped toward Elric, but they were stopped immediately. They slowly turned with the same evil glare as Elric’s, black streams detached from their chests.

  “He couldn’t do that before,” Eden said, intensifying pressured air around his hands.

  Terra strained, throwing her hands toward her creations. “I can’t control my golems anymore either. What’s happening?”

  “He hadn’t mastered his powers yet, and he hadn’t had all four doors open.” Violet swallowed as she thought of Zaroule. He must have known that one day it would come to this. There had to be a weakness, something that could stop Elric.

  The creatures raced toward them, smashing through everything in their path. Terra and Rai sent more creatures to deal with the dark ones. As the creatures clashed, Elric raced between them. Violet barely caught his movements.

  He’s faster, even faster than Eden. Violet yelled, “Get ready!”

  “Ready for what?” a soft voice asked from behind her.

  A clawed hand gently fell on her shoulder. Violet turned, coming eye to eye with Elric. She was speechless. How could he move so fast? He sprouted between all of them. Eden smacked Elric’s hand off Violet’s shoulder, and Violet teleported everyone away from him.

  They watched in the distance as another figure that looked exactly like Elric took its position beside him then dissolved into black dust.

  “Are you kidding me? Was there just two of them?” Eden asked.

  Rai folded her arms. “Makes sense, right? We can make our own manifestations, so why can’t he make his own too? It’s crazy that they look just like him, though. Like doubles.” Rai smiled. “But I wonder if there’s more to it than that? Like maybe transmutation? That’s actually pretty incredible.”

  Terra glared. “Besides Rai, does anyone have any ideas?”

  Jen took a deep breath. “The only one who can fight him is me, right?”

  Eden started shaking his head. “Out of the question, Jen. We’re not letting you fight him on your own.”

  Jennifer shrugged halfheartedly. “We don’t have a choice unless you have another idea. As far as I know, I’m the only one who can take him. It’s funny, this destiny thing he’s been talking about. I’m starting to wonder if it’s really a coincidence,” Jen said, looking up at Violet.

  Violet thought about a conversation she’d had with Sage when they first moved into the apartments back in Boston. “Someone once told me life is filled with random possibilities, all of which are beautiful and frightening. Nothing happens by accident.”

  Jen nodded.

  “Watch out!” Violet shouted, teleporting them away from the castle.

  An explosion turned the entire temple into dust. Violet’s eyes darted to Elric. He was just beginning to lower his hand. Without warning, a dark hand grabbed her by the left arm and lifted her into the air.

  “No, let me go!”

  Eden came over and leaped into the air, trying to use the power of the wind to cut through the extremity, but a violent force of negative energy launched him back. A massive hand of sand cushioned his landing.

  Jennifer rushed in, her entire right hand covered in light. She connected with the extremity but was blown back with the same effect.

  “What is this?” Jennifer asked, rubbing her hand.

  “You still think we’re in the same class?” Elric’s voice rumbled. The stream brought Violet over to him. “I don’t think you understand the level of power you’re dealing with.”

  With her free hand, Violet released a blast of purple light, but the wave brushed over him like nothing more than a heavy gust of wind. He looked up with glowing red eyes, pointing with a frightening black claw. At the tip, blackness began to amass.

  Violet’s eyes widened, taken back by the cold dead expression of Elric’s pale, veiny face.

  A beam of golden light hit him in the chest. The attack sent him backward, but h
is wings opened up, slowing the momentum. Still not a scratch on him.

  “Why are you taking it this far, Elric? You don’t have to do this. Calamity is gone,” Jennifer yelled.

  Elric took a slow breath in and blew out a black mist. “I realized something after Calamity almost killed me. I had a flashback of all the fond memories I had with all of you and the people I lost years ago. I should’ve felt pity, some kind of remorse for the things I had done. But I didn’t. All that grew inside me was this urge to smash you all in the dirt. Especially you, Light Titan. Nobody more than you.”

  Tears streamed down Jen’s face. Violet could feel the pain, and her heart couldn’t take it anymore. Jen’s fists tightened at her sides, gathering light as they shined brightly.

  “Why won’t you let me save you?” Jen asked with a sobbing scream. “Why has it come to this after everything we’ve done for you? Calamity’s gone. We can end all of this.” Jennifer’s scream of love and passion carried over the island.

  “Because for this to end, this world will have to be destroyed.” Elric smiled, showing blackened, sharpened teeth. “Or, you’ll have to kill me.” As Elric raced toward Jennifer, everything slowed.

  From everyone’s expression, Violet knew they didn’t know Elric was on the move. His talons didn’t make an imprint in the sand. It was like he wasn’t even there. Violet felt herself being taken off her feet. A wave thrust through her, throwing her and the others to the ground.

  Elric held Jennifer by the throat. His right hand crackled with black energy that looked something like a mass of sparks and jolts that kicked in the air.

  “This is it then.” Jennifer sobbed. “I’m sorry I left you.”

  “Jen, fight back,” Violet insisted telepathically.

  “You’ll see your parents soon, Jen.”

  Jen nodded, closing her tear-filled eyes, accepting her fate. The hand covered in black energy pulled back to strike and an explosion of flames blew them both apart.

  Jen was sent into the ocean while Elric covered himself in a dark aura. The acrid smell of the fire wafted in the air, intermingling with sea salt.

  “Hey!” a voice called out. A tall figure limped toward the battlefield. “You couldn’t start this fight without me, right?”

  “Enzo, you’re alive,” Rai yelled. “I can’t believe I’m excited to see you.”

  “Yeah, too bad I can’t say the same for you,” Enzo joked.

  Elric lowered the dark aura that surrounded him. “So, you did survive?”

  “Yeah. Calamity tried to do me in after I knocked off a couple more naval ships. I fell in the ocean and thought I was done for. But Phoenix wasn’t having it.”

  “Enzo, you have to help us, please!” Rai pleaded. “Elric’s gone off the deep end. I mean, look at him. He doesn’t even look human anymore. He plans on destroying everything.”

  Enzo smiled as he listened to Rai’s plea and then turned to address Elric. “I guess I didn’t want to believe it, but the way you attacked Rai, I knew something wasn’t right. Especially since she came back,” he said, looking at Jennifer. “So, were you planning on killing me too?”

  Elric looked over with an apathetic expression. “Only if you stand in my way.”

  Enzo scratched his scalp digging through his mangled cornrows, which had come undone. He groaned. “Do you plan on destroying everything? What about making us gods and the leaders of the free world?”

  No one said a word. Elric narrowed his eyes.

  “Yeah, that’s what I figured. So much for being friends then,” Enzo said, lowering his head. “I guess we’ll get to find out who’s stronger sooner than I thought.”

  “Enzo,” Rai whispered sympathetically.

  He charged Elric, bright orange flames bursting from Enzo’s torso. Wings flared from behind, giving him a boost. Enzo threw both his hands out, releasing an intense blast of fire that forced everyone around him to cover themselves in shields.

  Violet watched but was careful to keep her gaze averted. She could see the glowing grains of sand turn orange from the intense flames. She looked up just in time to see Elric open his wings, and with a single flap, rise to the sky.

  “You won’t get away that easily.” With an explosion of fierce heat, Enzo launched himself toward Elric.

  Violet watched the battle unfolding above. Streams of dark energy raced down toward Enzo. He maneuvered, increasing his speed to bypass the extremities. Just when he was about to make a strike, Elric batted him away like a fly, sending Enzo slamming into the ground.

  “Enzo!” Rai raced toward his side and helped him up. Violet teleported to provide aid, but his heat was too intense to touch him, so she covered herself in a layer of energy.

  “Why would you go after him like that, you idiot?” Rai whispered, wrapping her arms around Enzo. “You know what he’s capable of.”

  Violet was taken back by the concern Rai had for the Fire Titan. It was similar to her love for the people just behind her. Love like that of a sibling.

  Violet placed her hand over Enzo’s chest. The vibrant flow of her purple essence washed over him, healing his injuries. He had multiple ones, including a few broken bones. She was surprised he was still able to move. He groaned, holding his side. Violet slightly nudged him down. “Don’t move just yet. You’re not all the way healed.”

  “Why did you do that?” He looked up at Rai, then Violet. “Why heal me? It’s not like we’re on the same side or anything.”

  “I think we’re all in this together. We’re not fighting for sides, but just for survival now.” Violet looked up at Elric as he hovered over the island.

  “What about Jen? Is she alright?” Rai looked over by the shore.

  Jennifer remained on her knees, looking down at the ground. Sorrow pulsed from her like the waves of the ocean that soaked her clothes. Violet had never known her to feel this way before. It was like she had given up all hope.

  “Jen, are you okay? Can you move?”

  “It’s not fair for him to be like this,” Jennifer’s inner voice sobbed. Violet watched as she dug her fingers into the sand in anger. “He’s always been hurt, but he never showed it. Even now, he doesn’t show it. But he’s in so much pain. I can feel it, deep inside him.”

  “We have to stop him. If not, the entire world could be lost.”

  “I’m sorry,” Jen cried, “but I don’t care about the world. Not after what it’s done to us.”

  Violet wasn’t surprised by her comment. Not one bit. She would never understand the bond the two of them had even now. Right now, Elric was at the darkest stage any of them had ever seen, and Jen was still willing to sacrifice everything to save his life.

  Violet stopped healing Enzo and stood. “That’s selfish, Jen, and absolute bullshit.” She teleported over Jen, yanked her up, and slapped her. “You have the power to stop this, but you’re choosing not to? Elric was going to kill you, and you were going to let him, weren’t you?”

  Violet’s breaths were quick and wet as she sniffed. The tears kept coming, and she could feel that Jennifer’s warmth had been drained and replaced by rage and bitterness. Maybe this was the effect of Elric’s darkness, his presence?

  “Maybe I was. Why do you care?” She smacked Violet’s hands away.

  “Jen, this isn’t you. It’s this darkness. You’re strong. You’re the hope we need right now. Don’t let Elric’s darkness control you. Please. We need you.”

  “No,” Jennifer said briskly.

  We don’t have time for this! Violet slapped her again with tears falling on her own face, eyes glowing with energy. She couldn’t help but think of Zaroule and Sage’s sacrifices. How could they not matter? “It hurts, I know. To go so far for someone and still have them slip through your fingers. It seems like you’ve done everything you can to save them, and nothing works. But what if the only way to save him is to end his suffering?”

  Jen continued to sob, burying her face in her hands.

  Violet thought about the
ir options, and there were only two she could think of at this point. Kill or be killed. And if they were killed, the world would die with them.

  Violet turned from Jen and faced the others. “We’re going to kill Elric. Anybody else want to second guess my decision?”

  Nobody said a word. Good. Because she was fed up with this crap. She couldn’t ignore the images of Zaroule and holding his battered body. She couldn’t ignore Sage being vaporized. And she couldn’t ignore the girl in Boston, the one who would never see her parents again, the one who would never go back to school to see her friends or go to college or be an adult to have kids of her own. No. Elric took that from her.

  So, Violet made up her mind. She made the decision to take Elric’s life.

  Chapter 27

  The Repercussions of Challenging Darkness

  Violet was met with eyes of disbelief and astonishment, but she refused to back down. Elric had become a monster. He was awful before, but the way he was now with this awful power coming from him, he was worse than Calamity, Blight, and allure put together.

  “I’m exhausted of all of you,” Elric said, raising both his hands to the sky.

  Everything over them blackened as if night had fallen. The entire island shook as Violet tried to keep anchored to the ground. Above Elric, a giant black hole formed, feeding off everything around them.

  A grain of sand rose to the sky. Then large clouds of sand began to rise as the entire island cracked apart.

  “He’s trying to suck us in!” Enzo yelled.

  “We have to get out of here,” Violet said, grabbing Jen. She teleported back to Eden and Terra, then brought Enzo and Rai over with a flash.

  Eden stepped forward in anger. “We have to stop him. We can’t let him get away. If we do, there’s no telling what kind of damage he’ll cause or where.”

  “Look at that.” Rai pointed to the sky. “If we don’t get out of here, nobody will be able to stop him. Retreat today, fight tomorrow, right?” Rai looked them all over.