Chapter 8

                                    

                                          
The energy pulsed through me, igniting every nerve in my body as I pushed it outward. The car vibrated from the sheer force of my magic, making the interior feel alive. Eli's expression shifted from annoyance to surprise as the light engulfed him, revealing the true form of the spirit lurking beneath his human facade.
"Is that all you've got?" I challenged, my voice echoing in the charged atmosphere. "You're going to need to try harder than that if you want to stop me."
The glow from my magic flickered like a candle in the wind as Eli grinned, his features warping and shifting. "You think your little tricks scare me? I've faced beings far more powerful than you."
With a swift movement, he lunged forward, attempting to grasp my wrist. I reacted instinctively, pulling my hand back and channeling my energy into a forceful blast aimed directly at him. The wave crashed against him, sending him slamming into the driver's side door.
"Nice try, spirit," I said, watching as he struggled to regain his footing. "But I'm not going to let some elemental wannabe get in my way."
Eli's demeanor shifted, the cocky spirit now visibly enraged. "You have no idea what you're dealing with, Ivy! You think you can just erase my kind? We'll stop you from reaching the Garden of Stones, no matter what it takes."
"Good luck with that," I said, a smirk forming on my lips. "If I wanted to listen to a lecture on how to be a failure, I would've just talked to my mom." The mention of my mother sparked an inner flame, fueling my determination.
He lunged again, this time more fiercely. The air crackled with energy as we danced in this chaotic space. I dodged to the side, barely avoiding his grasp. Adrenaline surged as I retaliated, conjuring a swirling mass of energy above my palm.
"Why are you trying to stop me?" I demanded, my tone a mix of irritation and curiosity. "You're just a spirit. Shouldn't you be hanging out with your ghost friends?"
His eyes narrowed, glimmering with malice. "Because you're a threat to us. You might think you're special, but you don't belong in this world!"
"Trust me, I don't belong here," I shot back. "But I'm here now, and I'm not going to let you push me around."
In a swift motion, I hurled the mass of energy at him. The impact sent him staggering back, his form flickering momentarily as he struggled to maintain control. "You're going to regret this!" he shouted, his voice a mixture of fury and fear.
"Regret? I'm just getting started!" I declared, feeling the thrill of power course through me. I extended my hands, summoning the remnants of my magic, focusing on the energy that crackled at my fingertips.
With one final surge, I unleashed a blast that filled the interior of the car with blinding light. The spirit recoiled, momentarily blinded by the intensity. "Enough!" I commanded, my voice rising above the chaos.
But as the light began to fade, I saw Eli starting to recover, his spirit form shimmering defiantly. "You think you can keep me down?" he hissed. "This is only the beginning!"
I rolled my eyes, boredom creeping back in. "Really? Is this all you've got? I thought spirits were supposed to be impressive."
In an instant, he lunged again, but this time I was ready. I sidestepped, causing him to collide with the dashboard. "Come on, Eli! This is embarrassing," I said, barely suppressing a laugh. "A spirit getting taken down by a girl who doesn't even want to be here."
"Stop mocking me!" he snarled, his anger palpable. The more he fought, the less intimidating he became. I could sense his desperation.
"Then stop being so easy to mock!" I shot back, focusing again. I channeled my energy instinctively, weaving it into a barrier around me.
With newfound resolve, I pushed back against him, forming a shield that absorbed his attempts to reach me. "You think you can scare me with your spirit nonsense? I've faced far worse in my life."
"Your past doesn't matter!" he shouted, exasperation evident in his voice. "You have no idea what you're up against!"
I shook my head, frustration rising. "This is tiresome. If you're trying to intimidate me, at least put some effort into it!"
Eli took a step back, sensing my impatience. "I'm not done fighting!"
"Honestly, it feels like you are," I replied, letting the barrier dissolve as I stood tall. "You're just delaying the inevitable."
In a final burst of defiance, he lunged again, but I sidestepped effortlessly, watching as he flailed into the passenger seat. I seized the opportunity and concentrated hard, summoning a pulse of energy that encased him in shimmering light.
"Let's see how you handle this," I said, releasing the energy in a controlled burst that sent him sprawling backward.
"Enough!" Eli growled, his form wavering as he fought to regain control. But my resolve was stronger. I wouldn't let him intimidate me anymore.
With a final push, I channeled my energy and unleashed a wave that enveloped him entirely. The light flooded the car, filling it with an ethereal glow as Eli's form began to flicker violently.
"You can't do this! I won't let you!" he shouted, desperation creeping into his voice.
"Too late for that," I replied coolly, my heart racing with exhilaration. The energy surged, and with a final cry, Eli was engulfed in light, his essence dissolving into nothingness.
As the glow faded, I slumped back into my seat, panting slightly from the exertion. The weight of what had just happened settled in. I had faced a spirit and emerged victorious.
But the battle hadn't just been about defeating him. It had been about proving to myself that I was capable of more than I realized.
With a deep breath, I turned to the now-empty seat beside me, feeling a mix of triumph and boredom. "Guess I'm off to find the Garden of Stones," I muttered, already feeling the pull of my next adventure.