The Beginning of the End (Universe in Flames Book 4) by Christian Kallias

when Chase’s aura expanded to engulf almost half the cockpit.
    Chase! shouted Ares. Don’t drain all your energy or you will die!
    I need more . . .
    Stop this now, I beg you!
    I c-c-can’t. I’m almost there. Just . . . a . . . little . . . more . . .
    The now huge plasma fireball shook heavily for a second and then shot back at impossible speed towards the Zarlack’s destroyer. It created a powerful shockwave at its point of departure which impacted the Valken ’s already feeble shields, they managed to diffuse most of the energy of the wave before giving out. The now going-in-reverse plasma fireball struck the Zarlack’s destroyer, punching through its shields and plating as if they weren’t there.
    A powerful explosion exposed many of the ship’s levels to space. Flames spewed. Metal debris was thrown into space, as were many crewmen from the decompressed levels. The Zarlack destroyer didn’t explode but it was greatly damaged, most of its systems disabled on the spot.
    “What was that?” asked Daniel, not believing his eyes.
    Chase’s aura vanished all at once.
    “Wow, good job, Chase!” Daniel cheered.
    Chase stood still, his arm still in front of him, but he didn’t answer.
    “Are you alright?” inquired Ryonna.
    Chase fell to his knees, a blank stare in his eyes as more blood flowed from them. He collapsed to the ground face first.
    “Oh my god, no! Chase!” shouted Sarah, who jumped out of her chair and reached his side. She turned him over and shook him, trying to wake him up, but he had lost all color.
    “Please, anyone, help! I don’t think he’s breathing.”
    Daniel jumped next to Sarah. He couldn’t feel a pulse on Chase’s jugular. His eyes filled with fear.
    Keera went to the back of the cockpit and looked through her stuff, throwing everything from each drawer and cupboard she opened at a mad pace. “Keep him breathing while I look for my resuscitation kit.”
    Sarah gave Chase mouth to mouth while Daniel applied heart compressions. Tar’Lock clicked nervously and passed out. Ryonna and Fillio joined Keera in her search for the medical device.
    “Dammit! Where is it?”
    Sarah kept giving Chase mouth to mouth while her eyes filled with tears.
    “Stay with us, buddy,” said Daniel as he continued his cardiac compressions.
    Then Sarah felt something burn inside her. Her round belly felt hot and the warmth expanded all over her body.
    “Sarah!” shouted Ryonna, her eyes wide open. “What’s happening in your belly?”
    She looked down and saw a shining, bright, golden aura bursting out of her. A bright, golden energy expanded from her belly and went towards Chase’s inanimate body. It looked like a bright and shining golden umbilical cord. After a few seconds it detached from Sarah’s body and was absorbed by Chase’s.
    Chase’s eyes shot open and he gasped for air. Everyone exhaled heavily, relieved to see their friend come back to life.
    Sarah grabbed Chase and held him tightly against her still trembling body, her tears flowing like rivers on her delicate cheeks.
    “You scared the shit out of me. Don’t ever do that again!”
    “Sorry, I . . . I had to do something.”
    She took his face in her hands and kissed him.
    Ryonna let herself fall against the nearest bulkhead, while Fillio attended to Tar’Lock, slapping him gently awake.
    Daniel’s mouth was open and he was breathing rapidly, still shaken.
    “Anyone have any explanation for what happened here?”
    No one answered.
    Then a golden sphere of energy appeared in the middle of the group and took human shape.
    “Ares. I should have known,” said Chase. “Thank you.”
    “That wasn’t my doing. I was about to take control of Tar’Lock’s body again to try to infuse some much needed life energy into you, but it looks like Chris beat me to it.”
    Chase’s eyes grew. “How is that possible?”
    “I don’t know. I’ve never heard of anything like this before. Especially from an unborn