Once and For All

     Darkness swallowed the horizon in one ravenous gulp.  Swathes of firmament submitted to the torrent of premature night.

     Mathos shivered.  His heart was a lump of ice.  Bile rose in his throat, sludgy as the blackness above.

     “Mathos,” cried Elle.  “You see that?”  Her voice quavered.

     A staff appeared in Mathos’ fist.  His eyes burned.  “Yes, my wife.  This time I must vanquish the Dark One once and for all.”

     Elle leapt at him, a silent scream on her lips.  Her fingers sunk in a pool of light.

     Mathos soared, bearing the shape of a dove, and entered the darkness.