THE NAME ECHOED THROUGH THE AIR LIKE a desperate plea, a frantic call for a missing soul. "Alice! Alice! Where the hell was Alice?!" The words played heavy in my head during the tense atmosphere, a chorus of worried voices murmuring the same question.

And then, a single voice cut through the chaos. "Alice," Aro breathed, his tone a mixture of relief and disbelief.

I turned to face him, my own emotions a jumbled mess. Relief flooded through me at the sight of Alice, safe and sound. But anger simmered just beneath the surface, a fiery reminder of the fear and uncertainty that had plagued us all in her absence.

I didn't know what to expect as Alice approached us, her expression unreadable. But as she drew closer, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. We would deal with the fallout of her disappearance later. For now, all that mattered was that she was back.

The forest was alive with the sound of pounding footsteps, a symphony of movement that echoed through the trees. It was as if the very earth was trembling beneath their feet, urging them forward with a fierce urgency. The air was thick with anticipation, both sides poised for the inevitable clash.

The Volturi witnesses scowled in confusion, their eyes darting back and forth as they tried to make sense of the chaos unfolding before them. And then, like a bolt of lightning, Alice danced into the clearing from the southwest, her lithe form moving with a grace that defied description. Jasper was only inches behind her, his sharp eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger.

But it was the three strangers who captured everyone's attention. The first was a tall, muscular female with wild dark hair, her elongated limbs and features marking her as one of the Amazons. Kachiri, I learned later. Her eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, her every movement radiating power and strength.

The second was a small olive-toned female vampire, her long braid of black hair bobbing against her back as she nervously scanned the confrontation before her. Her deep burgundy eyes flickered with uncertainty, as if she was unsure of her place in this battle.

And then there was the young man, his skin an impossibly rich, dark brown that seemed to glow in the dappled sunlight. His wary eyes flashed across the gathering, the warm teak color drawing everyone's attention. His hair was black and braided, like the woman's, though not as long. He was beautiful, in a way that took your breath away.

As he neared us, a new sound sent shock waves through the watching crowd—the sound of another heartbeat, accelerated with exertion. It was like Renesmee's, and suddenly everything fell into place. The battle lines were drawn, and there was no turning back.

Alice danced gracefully through the dissipating mist, her lithe form coming to a sinuous stop at Edward's side. Bella reached out to touch her arm, and the rest of the Cullen clan followed suit, their welcoming gestures hurried and brief. There was no time for pleasantries, not with the looming threat of the Volturi's attack.

Jasper and the others trailed behind Alice, their eyes flickering with speculation as they crossed the invisible border without difficulty. Felix and his ilk watched with sudden hope, their eyes fixed on Bella. They had been unsure of what her shield could repel, but it was now clear that it would not stop a physical attack.

As Aro prepared to give the order for the blitz, I couldn't help but wonder how many of the Volturi's soldiers Zafrina would be able to blind. Would it be enough to slow them down, to give Kate and Vladimir the chance to take out Jane and Alec? It was all I could hope for.

Edward, his focus on the coup he was directing, stiffened in response to their thoughts. He fought to control his fury and spoke to Aro once more.

"Alice has been searching for her witnesses these last weeks," he said to the ancient. "And she does not come back empty-handed. Alice, why don't you introduce the witnesses you've brought?"

Caius snarled. "The time for witnesses is past! Cast your vote, Aro!"

Aro raised one finger to silence his brother, his eyes glued to Alice's face.

Alice stepped forward lightly and introduced the strangers. "This is Huilen and her nephew, Nahuel."

Caius's eyes tightened as Alice named the relationship between the newcomers. The Volturi witnesses hissed amongst themselves. The vampire world was changing, and everyone could feel it.

"Speak, Huilen," Aro commanded. "Give us the witness you were brought to bear."

The slight woman looked at Alice nervously. Alice nodded in encouragement, and Kachiri put her long hand on the little vampire's shoulder.

"I am Huilen," the woman announced in clear but strangely accented English. "A century and a half ago, I lived with my people, the Mapuche. My sister was Pire. Our parents named her after the snow on the mountains because of her fair skin. And she was very beautiful—too beautiful. She came to me one day in secret and told me of the angel that found her in the woods, that visited her by night. I warned her." Huilen shook her head mournfully. "As if the bruises on her skin were not warning enough. I knew it was the Libishomen of our legends, but she would not listen. She was bewitched.

"She told me when she was sure her dark angel's child was growing inside her. I didn't try to discourage her from her plan to run away—I knew even our father and mother would agree that the child must be destroyed, Pire with it. I went with her into the deepest parts of the forest. She searched for her demon angel but found nothing. I cared for her and hunted for her when her strength failed. She ate the animals raw, drinking their blood. I needed no more confirmation of what she carried in her womb. I hoped to save her life before I killed the monster.

"But she loved the child inside her. She called him Nahuel, after the jungle cat, when he grew strong and broke her bones—and loved him still.

"I could not save her. The child ripped his way free of her, and she died quickly, begging all the while that I would care for her Nahuel. Her dying wish—and I agreed.

"He bit me, though, when I tried to lift him from her body. I crawled away into the jungle to die. I didn't get far—the pain was too much. But he found me; the newborn child struggled through the underbrush to my side and waited for me. When the pain ended, he was curled against my side, sleeping.

"I cared for him until he was able to hunt for himself. We hunted the villages around our forest, staying to ourselves. We have never come so far from our home, but Nahuel wished to see the child here."

Huilen bowed her head when she was finished and moved back so she was partially hidden behind Kachiri. Aro's lips were pursed. He stared at the dark-skinned youth.

"Nahuel, you are one hundred and fifty years old?" he questioned.

"Give or take a decade," he answered in a clear, beautifully warm voice. His accent was barely noticeable. "We don't keep track."

"And you reached maturity at what age?"

"About seven years after my birth, more or less, I was full grown."

"You have not changed since then?"

Nahuel shrugged. "Not that I've noticed."

My eyes flickered towards Renesmee. The words that had just left his lips were almost too surreal to comprehend. But amidst the shock and disbelief, a sense of relief washed over me. At least she wasn't alone in this world, I thought to myself, grateful for the company of those who understood her unique existence.

"And your diet?" Aro pressed, seeming interested in spite of himself.

"Mostly blood, but some human food, too. I can survive on either."

"You were able to create an immortal?" As Aro gestured to Huilen, his voice was abruptly intense.

"Yes, but none of the rest can."

A shocked murmur ran through all three groups.

Aro's eyebrows shot up. "The rest?"

"My sisters." Nahuel shrugged again.

Aro stared wildly for a moment before composing his face.

"Perhaps you would tell us the rest of your story, for there seems to be more."

Nahuel frowned.

"My father came looking for me a few years after my mother's death." His handsome face distorted slightly. "He was pleased to find me." Nahuel's tone suggested the feeling was not mutual. "He had two daughters, but no sons. He expected me to join him, as my sisters had.

"He was surprised I was not alone. My sisters are not venomous, but whether that's due to gender or a random chance... who knows? I already had my family with Huilen, and I was not interested"—he twisted the word—" in making a change. I see him from time to time. I have a new sister; she reached maturity about ten years back."

"Your father's name?" Caius asked through gritted teeth.

"Joham," Nahuel answered. "He considers himself a scientist. He thinks he's creating a new super-race." He did not attempt to disguise the disgust in his tone.

Caius looked at Bella. "Your daughter, is she venomous?" he demanded harshly.

"No," Bella responded. Nahuel's head snapped up at his question, and his teak eyes turned to bore into her face.

Caius looked to Aro for confirmation, but Aro was absorbed in his thoughts.

He pursed his lips and stared at Carlisle, and then Edward, and at last his eyes rested on me.

Caius growled. "We take care of the aberration here, and then follow it south," he urged Aro.

Aro's gaze bore into mine, unyielding and intense. I couldn't fathom what he was seeking, nor what he had discovered, but as he scrutinized me for what felt like an eternity, a subtle transformation overtook his features. His mouth and eyes shifted ever so slightly, and in that instant, I sensed that Aro had reached a verdict.

"Brother," he said softly to Caius. "There appears to be no danger. This is an unusual development, but I see no threat. These half-vampire children are much like us, it appears."

"Is that your vote?" Caius demanded.

"It is."

Caius scowled. "And this Joham? This immortal so fond of experimentation?"

"Perhaps we should speak with him," Aro agreed.

"Stop Joham if you will," Nahuel said flatly. "But leave my sisters be. They are innocent."

Aro nodded, his expression solemn. And then he turned back to his guard with a warm smile.

"Dear ones," he called. "We do not fight today."

The sentries synchronized their movements, standing tall and alert as the mist dispersed into nothingness. Aro pivoted towards us, his expression as amiable as ever, yet I detected an eerie emptiness lurking beneath his facade. It was as if his machinations had reached their conclusion. Caius seethed with fury, but his anger was now directed inward, his spirit broken. Marcus appeared disinterested, his demeanour bordering on boredom. The guards were once again stoic and disciplined, devoid of individuality, functioning as a cohesive unit. They were poised to depart, their formation impeccable. The Volturi witnesses remained cautious, departing one by one, vanishing into the surrounding forest. As their numbers dwindled, the remaining few hastened their pace until they too had vanished, leaving us alone in the eerie silence.

Aro extended his hands towards us, a gesture that seemed almost apologetic. As we watched, the majority of the guard, flanked by Caius, Marcus, and their enigmatic wives, began to fade into the distance with a precision that was almost mechanical. Only the three figures that appeared to be Aro's protectors remained, hovering at his side like loyal sentinels.

"I'm so glad this could be resolved without violence," he said sweetly. "My friend, Carlisle—how pleased I am to call you friend again! I hope there are no hard

feelings. I know you understand the strict burden that our duty places on our
shoulders."

"Leave in peace, Aro," Carlisle said stiffly. "Please remember that we still have our anonymity to protect here, and keep your guard from hunting in this region."

"Of course, Carlisle," Aro assured him. "I am sorry to earn your disapproval, my dear friend. Perhaps, in time, you will forgive me."

"Perhaps, in time, if you prove a friend to us again."

Aro's head hung low, a portrait of regret, as he slowly retreated. However, his gaze lingered on Alice, Bella, and myself, and a sly grin crept across his lips. "Such a prize," he murmured under his breath before pivoting on his heel and disappearing into the shadows.

The air was electric with excitement and relief. We had done it. We had stood up to the Volturi and won. As the last of them disappeared into the trees, we watched in awe and wonder. It was as if the world had stopped spinning, and we were suspended in time, basking in the glory of our victory.

Bella's voice broke the silence, barely above a whisper. "Is it really over?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Edward's smile was radiant. "Yes," he said, his voice filled with triumph. "They've given up. Like all bullies, they're cowards underneath the swagger."

Alice laughed, her joy infectious. "Seriously, people. They're not coming back. Everybody can relax now."

For a moment, we all stood there, taking in the enormity of what had just happened. Then Vladimir spoke up, his voice ringing with determination. "Now we have them on the run," he declared, marching forward. "Now it's the time to attack."

But Dad shook his head, pulling Mum close. "Not today," he said softly. "Today, we celebrate."

Stefan snarled, his eyes blazing with fury. "You're all fools!" he roared at us. "The Volturi might be gone, but they will never forgive for what happened here."

Silence descended once more, heavy and oppressive. But then, out of nowhere, it hit us. Cheers erupted, deafening howls filling the clearing.

Maggie's hand came down hard on Siobhan's back, a gesture of congratulations for a job well done. Rosalie and Emmett's lips met once more, their passion igniting like a wildfire. Joseph lifted Rhona off the ground, twirling her around in a dizzying display of affection. Rhona clung to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

Simon, Alana, and Ethan shared a group hug, their bodies entwined in a warm embrace. Leah nuzzled her head against Ethan's face, reveling in the closeness they shared.

Benjamin and Tia were lost in each other's arms, their love a flame that burned bright and true. Carmen and Eleazar held each other close, their bond unbreakable. Esme enveloped Alice and Jasper in a tight embrace, her love for them overflowing.

Carlisle expressed his gratitude to the South American newcomers, his words filled with warmth and sincerity. Kachiri stood close to Zafrina and Senna, their fingertips interlocked in a show of unity and strength.

Garrett lifted Kate off the ground, spinning her around in a joyous display of affection. Love was in the air, and it was a beautiful thing to behold.

Stefan hocked a loogie onto the pristine snow, his breath visible in the frigid air. Vladimir's jaw clenched, his face twisted in a sour expression. Without a word, they darted into the dense woods, disappearing into the shadows.

I stood there, my eyes fixed on the towering trees, my fingers coiling around the delicate necklace that hung around my neck. The pendant felt warm against my skin, a comforting weight that anchored me to the present moment.

Suddenly, Seth appeared at my side, his paw prints fresh in the snow. I gazed into his soulful eyes and he let out a plaintive yelp.

"I know," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "Ayla will be safe now."

Seth nodded, his furry head bobbing up and down in agreement. I wrapped my arms around his thick neck, burying my face in his soft fur. He purred contentedly, rubbing his nose against my sleeve.

As I released him, he bounded off into the woods, joining Leah and the rest of the pack. I turned to see Dad, his arms open wide, beckoning me towards him. A wide grin spread across my face as I raced towards him, my body overflowing with joy. The rest of my family joined in, enveloping me in a warm embrace that filled me with a sense of belonging and love.