“Noo!!”

“Stop! Please!”

“Insignificant fools! You haven’t even an insect’s chance of facing me. Though I’m sure I’d like to see you die trying.”

“Please! Just stop and leave us alone!”

“Moron! Is that all you got? Come on, at least try to make a dent. I know you want to.”

“STOP—Nooooo!!”

Evil laughing and screams of pain were all Brooke Matthews could hear as the evil, goddess-like figure of Zorba Clextron spread over the village, casting her shadow wherever light could be seen. With pride and malevolence, she loomed in the clouds over the town, covering the moon and establishing pitch-blackness. The Trinity Fire on her right eye shone a violent, bright blood red and killed anyone who dared oppose her. One girl who tried to escape was the first to suffer; she had collapsed while running due to obstructed insides.

            Zorba’s figure became larger and larger until it seemed that she was “trapping” the village in a dark, purple light that filled those who saw it with fear and dread. Brooke, however, did not experience these feelings, because she had dealt with Zorba’s cronies and they seemed a lot worse than the leader herself.

            Bravery and power now filled Brooke’s mind. A smile curved over her quivering lips.

‘She doesn’t scare me,’ she thought, tears welling up in her eyes. ‘I’m the daughter of Kakodo, the greatest warrior in all of Malonia. I will never forgive her for spreading that rumor. I know I can beat her, and I will.’

            With that, she let out a battle cry, drew her sword, and called to the Heavens for strength. Zorba saw it coming, and struck back with purple lightning bolts. Brooke dodged them quickly, but was hit with one that trailed through electrical wires and destroyed the radio station. She fell to her knees instantly, screaming with pain and glaring up at Zorba.

            “No…you can’t…” she stammered.

            Zorba’s face curved to a grin as she now towered over an injured Brooke.

            “Can’t what? Come on, you shouldn’t even think to stop me.”

            Getting back up, Brooke clenched her hands into tight fists. She was bloody, but her eyes showed nothing but will and determination. “I can destroy you, and I WILL!” she shouted. She wound up her sword and managed to slice Zorba’s right arm, causing her to drop her 8-foot-long blade. She let out a scream, and that’s when Brooke knew she had hit her in the right place. From then on, she relentlessly worked on Zorba. ‘No! I won’t stop hitting her until she dies!’ she declared mentally. As the fight continued, the citizens froze in amazement. One thought raced through their minds: the girl they had kicked out of the village was now going against the greatest foe of all time. It was when they realized how “evil” they’d been to Brooke that they decided to step in for her.

            “Stop Zorba!”

            “Get her!”

            “Yeah!! Stop the darkness, bring the light!”

            “Slice into her!”

            Soon, the whole town was in on the battle with Brooke as the leader. It seemed hopeless for a moment or two, because some of the best warriors were slain; however, when all seemed lost, an idea popped into Brooke’s mind. Without hesitation, she flew directly over the villagers and declared:

            “Stand back, everyone! I have an idea!”

            In an instant they all backed up, with Zorba cut to pieces by swords and fists. Zorba, bleeding heavily, struggled to stand up, an angry glare on her face. She shouted furiously to the villagers, who now towered over her. “Now who’s weak?” they teased.

Zorba felt her power slowly siphoning from her jewel. She eventually collapsed from weakness, confused and a little dizzy. “No…I cannot be destroyed…What…what is going on…?” she managed to say, her voice slowed to a murmur.

 “Does that answer your question?” the villagers replied. They pointed to Brooke, who now smiled victoriously and held the other half of the Trinity Fire in her hand. She flew gently over to Zorba and dangled it over her “eye.” “Goodbye, Zorba,” she declared. “Been bad knowing you.”
            Zorba’s head forced itself toward Brooke’s half of the jewel, which now glowed a deep red, much to Zorba’s dismay and resistance. Zorba turned away persistently, but only drew closer. After a moment, the two halves fused together, glowed brightly, and finally emitted an enormous explosion. A scream was heard; Zorba was now destroyed. Gone forever.

Victory screams and sobs of joy filled the air. Clouds cleared, blue skies exposed their light, and a beautiful sunrise rose over the horizon. Brooke couldn’t help but cry and lay flat on the sidewalk, all worn out and breathing heavily. When she stood up, all of the villagers gathered around and apologized over and over again.

“Oh, Brooke! Please forgive us! We’re sorry!”

“Yes. It would give us great pleasure to know you’re not mad at us.”

“Please, Brooke. Please…”

Brooke smiled and waved her hand in forgiveness. “It’s OK, guys. It wasn’t your fault. I think that Zorba was controlling you. She knew that I was the hero of the village, and she would go out of her way to stop that from happening. So, she twisted your minds into thinking that I did something terrible—”

“And it turns out you didn’t. We love you, Brooke.”
            “I love you all too. And remember, what happened is all behind us.”

“Right.”

When the space cleared, Brooke gazed into the distance and noticed two familiar faces walking toward her.

Her parents had finally returned!

“Honey! Brooke, sweetie! Come here!” her mother shouted, her arms wide open.

“Brooke, my girl, my kiddo! Get on over here!” her father joked.

Brooke’s eyes flooded. She turned away, hoping her father wouldn’t see her cry. When he hugged her, she couldn’t help hugging him back and sobbing her heart out.

“It’s OK, Brooke,” he said affectionately.

“Daddy. Mommy. I…I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s OK, baby, your father told me everything.”
            “You know about that?”

“Of course, dear. Everybody knows.”

“Really?”

“Yes, honey, but please…don’t be scared anymore.”
            “We’re not mad at you.”

“We just want you to be safe, that’s all.”

Hearing that her parents knew made Brooke feel secure. She suddenly felt like a hero; she somehow knew that they were glad she had stuck up for them and herself. Most of all, she was just happy to have everything back to normal.

As she turned with them to go inside, her boyfriend, Michael Hawk Eye, waved to her. She waved back, and when she caught up to her parents, she heard him say, “You have done well, young one. I love you, and I have but one declaration to make.”

“Yeah?”

“Marry me, Brooke.”

Brooke’s heart beat hard. She didn’t have to say anything, though; Hawk Eye already knew. So she just nodded and waved again, then went inside to reflect on her future. As she gazed at the sunlight-soaked window, she thought but one thing out loud:

“I love you too, honey. Of course I’ll marry you. May it be nothing but bliss and peace from here on out.”