Page 18 of Her Immortal Love

I hesitate for a split second before racing towards her. All around me, the battle rages. Vrakken and dark elves locked in deadly combat, magic and steel flashing in the night.

"Focus your power there!" she commands, pointing to a group of elves advancing on our flank.

Drawing a deep breath, I concentrate, feeling the energy build within me. When I release it, a wave of force ripples outward, knocking the elves off their feet. The vrakken press the advantage, cutting down our stunned foes.

The tide of battle shifts, but the dark elves keep coming. I lose track of time, moving from one crisis to the next. My magic responds to my will more easily now, but the cost is high. Each blast leaves me more drained, my limbs heavy with exhaustion.

A piercing shriek cuts through the din. I turn to see a massive, winged creature descending from the sky, ridden by a dark elf in elaborate armor. Lightning crackles around them as they dive towards our position.

"Alina! Stop them!" someone yells.

Gritting my teeth, I gather every ounce of power I have left. The air around me shimmers as I unleash a beam of pure energy towards the diving pair. It strikes them head-on, enveloping both rider and mount in searing light.

When the glare fades, there's nothing left but ash drifting on the wind.

The sight of such destruction by my own hand leaves me reeling. I drop to my knees, overwhelmed by the enormity of what I've done. The battle continues to rage around me, but I barely notice, lost in the horror of my actions.

I don't know how long I kneel there before a hand on my shoulder startles me back to awareness. It's Alexei, his face streaked with blood and soot.

"It's over," he says softly. "We've won."

I look around, taking in the aftermath of the battle. The ground is scorched and littered with bodies. The air reeks of smoke and death. And I played a part in all of it.

"What have I done?" I whisper, my voice breaking.

11

ALINA

The ground trembles beneath my feet as the vrakken forces gather. I stand at the center, surrounded by other humans who've discovered their magical abilities. The air crackles with tension and raw power.

"Remember your training," a gruff vrakken commander barks. "Work together. Amplify each other's strengths."

I nod, trying to quell the nausea rising in my throat. This isn't some small skirmish - it's a full-scale assault that could determine the fate of this war. And I'm expected to be a key player.

The first wave of dark elves crashes against our lines like a tide of shadow and malice. Magic erupts all around me as my fellow humans unleash their powers. Bolts of lightning, walls of flame, gusts of wind - the elements themselves seem to bend to our will.

I focus, drawing on the wellspring of energy within me. It surges through my body, making my skin tingle and my hair stand on end. With a cry, I release a shockwave of pure force that sends a group of charging elves flying backward.

"Good!" shouts Elena, another human magic-user beside me. "Now, let's try combining our powers!"

We clasp hands, and I feel her energy intertwining with mine. Together, we create a swirling vortex of wind and force that tears through the enemy ranks. The devastation we cause is both exhilarating and terrifying.

The battle rages on, a chaotic storm of magic and violence. I lose track of time, moving from one crisis to the next. My powers respond more easily now, but each blast leaves me more drained. Sweat pours down my face, and my muscles scream with fatigue.

A piercing shriek cuts through the din. I look up to see a massive, winged creature descending from the sky, ridden by a dark elf in elaborate armor. Lightning crackles around them as they dive towards our position.

"Alina!" Elena yells. "We need to stop that thing!"

Gritting my teeth, I gather every ounce of power I have left. Elena grabs my hand, and I feel the other magic-users around us doing the same. Our energies merge, building to a crescendo that makes the very air vibrate.

With a collective shout, we unleash a beam of pure, concentrated magic towards the diving pair. It strikes them head-on, enveloping both rider and mount in searing light. When the glare fades, there's nothing left but ash drifting on the wind.

The sight of such destruction leaves me reeling. I stagger, nearly collapsing as the magnitude of what we've just done hits me. But there's no time to process it - the battle still rages, and our side is pressing the advantage.

The raw power surges through me, a torrent of energy that threatens to tear me apart. My body trembles, every nerve ending alight with sensation. I've never felt anything like this before - it's terrifying and intoxicating all at once.

I raise my hands, and the air around me shimmers with potential. With a thought, I conjure a swirling vortex of wind and lightning. It dances between my fingertips, eager to be unleashed. The sheer magnitude of what I'm capable of is staggering.