If she cannot stop the Void with Finn's magic, no other fairy will be able to. She would happily die for her kingdom. Death didn't scare her. The memories of those already lost renewed her resolve as she hovered outside the dark palace steps.
Glancing up at the dark leaves overtaking the sky, she beseeches the Spirits for luck. Begs them for mercy if she is to fail and allow her soul the impossible chance of reuniting with Finn’s in the Afterworld.
If she cannot avenge those lost, then allow her to free their souls as her final act.
She dares not hope her prayers are heard. The Void has proven stronger than the Spirits time and time again.
A loud crash echoes in the rancid air. Slick doors pull apart and oily goo slides to the obsidian steps with a hiss. The puddles writhe and wriggle, seeking the figure that emerges behind them.
It had been disgusting to look at before. Somehow it was even harder to stomach being alone. Dagger-sharp teeth grinned at her from between slick black lips. Claws protrude from steaming piles of thick goo. Eyes like rubies glint from within the mess. Its oppressive power washes over, sending her to the ground.
Sludge licks up her legs and stains her dress. Glaring at the Void, her wings beat rapidly.
"Where is the human?" it purrs.
"Gone," The Fairy Queen hisses. "Your business is with me."
Oil spills between its fangs.
"You have your mother's fire. Let's see if it's snuffed out just as quickly."
Anger causes her magic to collect. Gold and green pool at her palms as the Void lashes out with a tendril of death magic. It whips through the air as she narrowly eludes it.
The ground burns with brown flames from the lashing. Arden fires her magic at the Void.
Finn's flames cut through its writhing flesh, severing hunks that burn away.
The Void glares at her. Surprise kindles in its red eyes. With a snarl, it attacks again. The scent of burning flesh chokes heras she thwarts another onslaught of its magic. The Void travels down the palace steps and joins her on the ground.
Thedeadtreesaid in his attack. Heavy branches reach for her. Sentient wood binds itself around her ankles and wrists as she kicks with all her strength. Her wings beat rapidly to avoid being tangled. She blasts the darkness back with her and Finn's magic.
The trees scream as flames consume them.
"He gave you his magic," the Void growls. "It won't be enough."
"Fuck you!"
The truth of its words makes her teeth grind together.
They have not been battling long, and already she is overwhelmed. Finn's magic is dwindling, and hers is no match for the Void. Each summoned flame—every tendril of death avoided—drains her.
Sweat streams down her face as she dodges another lashing from the Void.
Her muscles burn. Her wings falter, sending her sliding into the ground. Steaming goo burns her skin as she screams. The writhing mass wraps around her foot, pulling her into the boiling liquid.
The Fairy Queen's flesh feels like it's being stripped from her body.
Pain makes her defenses lower. Her movements are sluggish as she fights to break free from its clutches. The Void laughs, launching a beam of its power towards her.
She is too slow to avoid it.
The dark magic pierces through her shoulder. Golden blood pours from her wound. Rot spreads through her veins. Her muscles weaken as its death magic siphons her powers. The Void wraps her in another tendril and drags her from the pool.
Glancing down at her leg, she recoils at the ruined flesh.
The Fairy Queen’s green skin is charred. The pale bones of her toes burn in the frigid air. Her stomach rolls as bile swims up her throat. The edges of her vision blur as the last dregs of her magic are drained. She cannot heal herself.
The stench of death is upon her, and she is powerless to fight it off.
