Chapter eight: Decisions

Footsteps echoed through the hall. She felt no surprise at the sound of Darus' voice. "The last gate...destroy it" he whispered into her ear. 

Kaylin stood up trembling. She raised her hand with hesitation, her palm hovering inches away from the gate. Was she meant to destroy the gate and interrupt the natural flow of time? Cold sweat covered her.

"DO IT!" Darus' hands seized Kaylin by her throat. He pinned her against the gate, his hands closing on her windpipe. She tried to convey her Zephyr into her hand, but she couldn't breathe...everything was slowly turning black.

A bright flash. Kaylin felt Darus release her, her body sliding towards  the cold floor. The hall came back into view. Jackson. He had pulled Darus off just in time.

"I should have known..." Darus growled "Kaylin's actions would alter your future, Jackson" Darus held the Blade and pounced.

"Kaylin!" Jackson narrowly missed Darus "Listen to me! Opening the gate will make Zephyr disappear, not you! And..." he dodged another attack " end this!"

The Blade protuded once again from Jackson's  chest. Kaylin finally understood. She called upon her powers, concentrating them on her hand.

"NO!" Darus rushed towards Kaylin. Her heart pounded faster... the Blade was getting nearer...she placed her hand upon the door. 

The gate  opened, filling the hall with bright light. Darus fell through the Gate, its light destroying him. Kaylin let her  powers seep away from her. She felt how Notus, Boreas, and Eurus slipped from her hand. With one last effort, Kaylin released Zephyr into the Gate, its power so great that hall began to crumble. Kaylin collapsed, falling into oblivion.

Darkness. Explosions. Shouting. Had she missed something? She slowly opened her eyes. Kaylin found herself at the top of a hill surveilling Tokyo. The city was celebrating New Year's eve...fireworks illuminated the sky. She no longer felt Zephyr coursing through her. "Happy New Year, Jackson" Kaylin  whispered as she gazed at the sky.