Twilight: Eclipsed Eternity

The night air crackled with the intensity of the battle, still thick with the remnants of the Volturi's bloodthirsty assault. Despite the chaos of the fight and the loss of many Volturi soldiers, Aro and his forces had managed to retreat, but not without leaving their mark. My coven, the Shadows, worked tirelessly to ensure no enemy was left standing, though some still lingered in the forest, waiting to regroup.

But before we could fully claim victory, the Volturi began to retreat deeper into the forest, pulling back toward the hills. There was no mistaking it—this wasn't just a tactical withdrawal. They were preparing for a counterattack.

"They think they can regroup and come at us again," Victor muttered, standing near me as his sharp eyes tracked the retreating figures. "This isn't over."

I nodded, my eyes narrowed. The Volturi had too much pride to just accept defeat. They would be back, and with greater numbers next time. Aro wouldn't let it stand.

But just as I was about to order my Shadows to track them down, I felt a change in the atmosphere. A ripple, a shift. It was subtle, but it didn't take much to sense it. From the trees ahead, the Cullen family emerged—Carlisle, Edward, Alice, Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper—walking slowly, deliberately toward me.

I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Carlisle's calm, measured voice cut through the tension. "We couldn't stand by and let the Volturi destroy you. We knew they'd come for us as well." His eyes scanned the battlefield. "But there's more at stake now. The Volturi will stop at nothing to see you fall."

I stiffened, recognizing the truth in his words. "So, what are you suggesting? That we join forces?"

Edward's gaze was cold, but his words were pragmatic. "This isn't about joining forces, Jason. It's about survival. You might have an army, but the Volturi have fifteen hundred vampires. You can't take them all on alone."

I clenched my fists, already frustrated by the situation. I had worked hard to build my strength and power. I didn't want anyone's help. "I don't need you. I'm not your ally, Edward."

Carlisle's voice was softer, a hint of plea in his tone. "We understand. But the Volturi won't just let this go. They're gonna keep coming back."

I could feel the weight of the situation. The Volturi were a deadly force, and no matter how powerful I was—or how many Shadows I commanded—They'd always come back with more. So we much crush them in one blow.

Carlisle continued. "We're not asking you to join us. We just want to stop the Volturi before they become too powerful. We've made our own preparations."

I raised an eyebrow. "Preparations?"

Before anyone could answer, a low growl sounded from Emmett, and he stepped forward with a purposeful look on his face. Behind him, Rosalie and Jasper stood, their expressions resolute. "We've formed our own small force," Emmett explained, his voice booming with confidence. "A smaller army to block the Volturi's retreat. We know they can't fight indefinitely."

I glanced at him skeptically. "You think you can stop them? With what?"

Carlisle stepped in. "We've already called upon a few other vampires we've met over the years. A small force, but strong. We're ready to cut off Aro and his army from escaping into the wilderness."

I was surprised. The Cullens had not only come to stop the Volturi but had actually prepared for this battle in their own way. They weren't just making themselves known—they were strategically cutting off the Volturi's escape.

Carlisle gave me a meaningful look. "We've made a small vampire army, Jason. The Volturi have nowhere to run."

Cutting Off the Volturi's Escape

The Cullens were no fools. They knew that the Volturi wouldn't just stand still and accept defeat. Aro would want to regroup, to plan his next move, but this time, the Volturi wouldn't have the freedom to escape. The Cullens had strategically placed their forces around the entire perimeter of the forest.

Edward, with his ability to read minds, had already sent out some of his own network of allies, keeping tabs on the Volturi's movements. They were in position. The Volturi couldn't slip past them unnoticed.

"We need to make sure Aro doesn't slip through," Carlisle said, his voice firm but still compassionate. "This will be our chance to finally confront them properly."

Victor, one of my captains, approached me quietly. "What do we do now? We've got our army. The Volturi are regrouping. You've already shown them what we're capable of. But I'm not sure I trust these Cullens."

I met Victor's gaze. "Neither do I," I muttered, "but they've already made their move. We might as well use them."

As the shadows of the forest lengthened, my Shadows moved quickly to their posts. They were perfectly trained, far stronger than the average vampire, though not quite as formidable as the captains I had created. But they would be a force to be reckoned with. They would be my first line of defense.

Carlisle, his face hardening, gave a subtle nod toward the rest of his family. "We'll need to block the paths back to the Volturi's stronghold. They're not getting away this time."

I couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for the Cullens. They may have been a small group, but they weren't without their own power. They knew how to manipulate situations and use the terrain to their advantage.

Rosalie, her sharp gaze following the path that led deeper into the woods, spoke up. "I'll take the east side. It's the most likely escape route."

Jasper's eyes flashed, and he immediately nodded. "We'll work quickly. The Volturi won't be able to get far."

Emmett looked over at me. "We'll hold them here. You've got this."

I didn't respond immediately, but the weight of the situation was clear. The Volturi were about to be completely surrounded. They had no backup, no easy escape route, and even Aro, with all his tricks, wouldn't be able to escape without consequences.

Edward stood next to me now, his face calm but intense. "You're sure you don't want our help?"

I shot him a look, smirking despite the gravity of the situation. "I'm sure. Just make sure they don't get past us."

The forest was quiet, too quiet. The Volturi had regrouped deeper in the forest, but they had no idea what was coming. Every escape route had been blocked.

Suddenly, Aro's figure emerged in the distance, his black cloak billowing behind him as he marched forward with his fifteen hundred vampires. But this time, he wasn't alone—his army was blocked on every side.

He stopped when he saw the Cullen family standing firm. His gaze flicked to me, and then to the men and women surrounding me—my captains and Shadows.

"What is this?" Aro's voice was like ice. "You think you can stop us?"

"It's over Arlo," Carlisle answered, his voice steady. "Surrender ."