22: Azruth vs Annamay

Skull Rock stood surrounded by the darkness Azruth radiated. Goosebumps formed on my arms as the snow grew deeper ever so slightly. I climbed to the top, peering into the entrance. Azruth appeared to be nowhere to be found. Instead, I saw a boy in green. It was Peter.

"Peter," I raced over to his side.

I knelt beside him and cupped his cheek, "Come on, Peter, wake up please!"

No matter how hard I pleaded, he did not stir. The wind shifted behind me as Azruth made himself known, "Do you like my handiwork?"

"What did you do to him?" I glared. 

"I did what he deserved," Azruth replied, "He has been a thorn in my side for far too long. With him out of the way, the island is my own. Soon my reach will expand beyond this island to all the realms. Chaos shall reign supreme and all life will bow to me."

"I won't let that happen," I held out Aetherius in my hands, "I won't let you threaten the peace Peter and my people fought so hard to preserve."

"Your people?" Azruth mocked, "Since when were those pesky Annamay tribe your people? What have they ever done for you? They abandoned you."

"They didn't leave me for dead," I retorted, "Wendy Darling did."

"Ah yes, your mother," Azruth smiled, "Such a lovely woman. She saw things my way and gave me the power to break through my prison. I granted her a safe exit from this island with her dear lover. Without their leader, the Annamay Tribe fell all too easily. The only thing that was in my way was Peter Pan and his annoying Lost Boys."

"They defeated you before and I'll defeat you here again," I said determined.

"Will you now?" Azruth crossed his arms, "Will you still fight for him once you learn the truth?"

"I refuse to listen to your lies," I narrowed my eyes.

"Lies," Azruth smirked, "I'm only telling you the truth. You see this hourglass here? It is Peter's life."

"His life?" I was skeptical.

"Indeed, you see he made a deal to live on the island. The one catch was that once the last grain of sand falls, he will die," Azruth revealed.

My eyes widened at the fact. Peter Pan always appeared invincible to me. There appeared to be a lot of grain of sand in the hourglass that had yet to fall. This brought me temporary relief. It didn't last long.

Azruth struck the hourglass causing the grains of sand to leak out. Peter groaned in pain as he felt his life force fade away. My green eyes watered, "Peter!"

I tried to rush over and catch the sand to put it back in when chains of shadows immobilized me. 

"Now, now," Azruth approached me relaxed, "I can't let you ruin my revenge."

"Let me go," I thrashed in the chains.

"I still need you."

"Need me?" I paused, "As if I'd help you."

"Soon, you won't have a choice," Azruth said sinisterly.

He went on the attack with his sword and I was rendered helpless. Just when I thought Azruth was going to run me through with his sword, my green eyes filled with horror.

"PETER!" I screamed. 

In front of me was Peter. His body was hunched over with a blade in his shoulder. Azruuth pulled back and Peter fell to the ground bleeding. 

"Jess..." He glanced at me, "Are you alright?"

"Peter..." tears fell down my face, "You're already injured. What do you think you are doing?"

"I can't let him kill you," Peter admitted, "My body just moved on its instinct."

I glanced over at the hourglass and to my horror, Peter's action caused more grains of sand to spill over onto the save floor. 

"Peter, you shouldn't have done that," I said, "That's just speeding up your death."

"How futile," Azruth grabbed Peter who was powerless to fight back, "You think you can protect the little princess? Don't make me laugh."

He threw Peter to the side, "I'll finish you later, but first enjoy a front seat to your true love's death and with it the final fall of the Annamay Tribe!"

"No!" Peter yelled as Azruth unleashed his attack.

No one moved as time was slowed. I opened my eyes to see Vidalia in front of me.

"Vidalia..." I let out shocked, "You're dead. How are you here?"

The Queen of the Pixies softly answered, "I am always with you, Jessica Mallory. For you hold the weapon of my soul."

With a ghostly wave of her hand, the shadow chains were broken. Aetherius floated in front of me. Vidalia gestured to Azruth who was frozen in time, "Take this sacred weapon to finish Azruth. That is the only way to save the island. It is up to you."

Azruth's roar caused Vidalia's spirit to disappear. His wicked eyes made contact with the blessed weapon, "Aetherius... It would seem my dear sister has done some meddling beyond the grave. No matter, it will be no match for me."

"Grab it!" Vidalia ordered.

I did so just in time as Azruth flew forward and the battle began. He swung with sword with precision and power. I could only be on the defensive. As we exchanged attacks, he spoke, "That weapon is nothing more than just a stick in your hand."

"You are wrong," I respond, "It is the weapon blessed by the good spirits of the island. It has been passed down throughout the Annamay Tribe's history. As its new wielder, I will defeat you."

Azruth kicked me back and my body rolled across the cave floor towards the exit, "Wielder? Don't make me laugh. You are nothing more than a child with a toy. it's time for you to go for a nice swim."

The waves below green ten feet as Azruth blasted me into them. He parted the water to reveal sharp rocks meant to impale me. He cackled maniacally watching as he commanded the waters to crush me.

"No!" I screamed, channelling my power into Aetherius. 

Just before I made contact with the sharp rocks. I felt my fall slow and widened my eyes as there were golden wings over my shoulder. They were just like the ones Vidalia had. They flapped powerfully as I used them to propel myself back into the air.

"You pesky fly!" Azruth summoned his pair of wings, "I'll slice your wings myself."

I flew as he gave chase. The storm clouds were dense making it hard to see my surroundings. I panted as I flew through another storm cloud. Playing defence was never going to work. I had to go on the attack. 

Azruth flew past me while I hid within a storm cloud. As his back was turned, I used this opportunity to attack. I swung the spear with all my strength with the demonic spirit dodging at the last second to my annoyance. 

We clashed back and forth with our weapons. As we did, Azruth growled, "I will not allow you to stand in the way of taking over the realms. Chaos shall reign supreme as it always was supposed to!"

"As long as I am standing," I fought back, "I will protect Neverland and its inhabitants from malicious forces like you."

I managed to land a blow to him sending him flying into a stone pillar. He collided with enough force that the pillar split in half and crushed him. I followed it up with more attacks, causing surrounding rock pillars to fall on top. It created a cloud of dust and I tried to catch my breath while gauging if I had done it.

I was instead greeted with a fury-filled cry from Azruth as he shot up from the stone. Before I could even react, our bodies collided with Skull Rock. I cried out in pain as Peter rushed to my side weakly, "Jess!"

I didn't have time to reassure him, "Look out!"

I pushed him out of the way just in time as Azruth impaled his sword into the rock where we once were. He straightened his posture, "I'm growing tired of this petty game of cat and mouse. Just die!"

"Never!" I declared, "I'm never going to stop until you are defeated. I will use Aetherius-"

Azruth just interrupted me with his sinister laugh, "I've fought against this very weapon twice, Princess and the power you are using is not even half of its true potential. Face it you cannot draw out its full power."

I clenched my fists as his taunts fueled the anxiousness I was feeling. It enraged me that Azruth was only toying with me this whole time. 

"Jess," Peter limped over to me.

"Peter," I supported him. 

He weakly gestured to Aetherius, "When I used Aetherius in the fight after Wendy Darling, it took sacrifice for me to wield its full power. Even now, it seems to be the case."

"What do I need to sacrifice?" I asked him quickly while watching Azruth out of the corner of my eye.

"I won't let you sacrifice anything, my Lost Girl," Peter said softly, glancing at the broken hourglass.

His eyes closed and his body fell to the ground. My eyes filled with fear as Azruth grinned, "Finally things are getting interesting."

"What did you do!" I accused.

Azruth raised his arms in mock surrender, "I did nothing of the sort, you dear Peter did."

My eyes followed his hand to the hourglass. Before, the hourglass was half full. Now, only a sliver remained. I shook my head switching between Peter and the hourglass, "No. No. No! Peter!"

I collapsed to my knees beside his body. I tried to shake him awake, but he did not stir. His face was paler than I had ever seen it before. Blood stained his clothes and his once smooth arms were marred by cuts and bruises.

"Peter! Wake up, please," tears started to fall on my face, "You can't leave me."

"Ah," Azruth took a light breath, "The sound of pure torment. It is like smelling the daisies."

What neither of us suspected was a wave of energy to pulsate through the open cave. It was powerful enough to send Azruth flying across to the wall. Unlike previous attacks, this one disoriented him. 

A soft golden glow caught my eye and I watched as the grains of sand began to travel from the ground and the hourglass to Aetherius. It began to absorb it into the spear. Then, I realized the grains of sand weren't grains of sand. It was pixie dust. 

With the combined forces of Cayden and Peter, Azruth was defeated. That was how the original Blight was stopped. Peter's sacrifice had infused the spear with an immense power that almost felt ancient. I picked it up and faced Azruth with renewed confidence. Unlike the earlier encounters, uncertainty flickered in his eyes.

"It does not matter," he hissed, "I will still be victorious."

I held the weapon and we both lunged for each other's throats. No more playing games, we both were attacking with the intent to kill. Azruth sent daggers my way which I deflected with Aetherius. I swung for him and light magic was blasted at Azruth. We both charged up attacks and it was light vs dark.

"Just give up and die already," Azruth said frustrated, increasing his attack, "You are a fool to think you can stand against me alone!"

I gritted my teeth from the increased power and retaliated by channelling my power. I thought of everyone I had lost leading up to this moment. While they were gone, I felt their presence here with me. It was warm and welcoming. That gave me a power that could never be outmatched. Azruth's face morphed into one of disgust as his power wanned, "What is this?!"

"I have a family on this island to protect. For the past, present and future. For the sacrifices the Annamy and the Lost Boys have made, I will end you here!" I proclaimed.

I lifted my spear above me. The light swirled around its tip and only grew in strength. My green eyes flashed dangerously as I became the hunter and the Spirit of Chaos was my prey. 

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