Legacy
Chapter 19

Within thewalls of the twisted castle, Shadow Kahn sat upon a most lavishthrone. He had come to the conclusion that if someone asinsignificant as the Nova of the north could have a throne of solidgold, then he too should have one, but of a far greater size.

“What isit that compelled you to wait so long?” asked Shadow Kahn, his gazefixed upon the center of the room. “Did you really think that Iwould have been stopped before this day could come? Is your kindreally that naïve?”

In theblink of an eye, the woman in white appeared in the spot where ShadowKahn had so intently been staring.

“How longit has been,” said Shadow Kahn, removing himself from his throne. “To think someone of your ilk could attain such status.”

“Becautious of the words that you use against me,” said the woman. “Was it not you who took the virtue of a girl still so new to theworld? You were the only mistake that I ever made. So now is thetime for that mistake to be eradicated.”

“If notfor that so called mistake, we never would have made our beautifulson.”

“Regardlessof what we once had, you are nothing now but an abomination. And youmust be stopped. No matter the cost.”

“Stopped? Look around you. The end has already come. All I need is for onemore piece to fall into place, and we both know what that piece is.”

“Enough,”said the woman, spreading her damaged wings.

“Howunfortunate,” said Shadow Kahn. “To think that you were the bestthey had to offer. How very unfortunate.”

A suddenforce hit the woman, destroying what remained of her wings andtearing off her blindfold to reveal her dazzling blue eyes.

“Whathave you done?” asked the woman.

“Did younot know that I was capable of such a thing? It would seem that yougreatly underestimated my abilities.” Shadow Kahn then made hisway to the woman, prompting her to begin backing away. “You shouldbe thanking me. I have just breathed new life into your lifelessbody. Can you not appreciate what I did?”

“How dareyou.”

“Fearnot,” said Shadow Kahn. “For the life of a mortal is mostfleeting.” And with that, a spear thrust from the shadows anddrove itself into the woman’s stomach, sending her to her knees andgasping desperately for breath.

Making hisway to her side, Shadow Kahn let the woman in on a very grim piece ofinformation. “You need not worry. I still have a use for you.”

Beforeentering the castle, James addressed the others. “This is myfight,” he told them. “If you choose not to follow me, I'llunderstand.”

“I won’tleave you,” said Jaycee.

“Thisisn’t just your fight,” said Archer. “It became our fight along time ago. Only a coward would turn his back on a comrade inneed.”

With Aikohaving failed to voice her support, everyone turned their attentionto her. With nary a trace of fear, Aiko replied. “Let’s go.”

It took thecollective strength of all four to open the tremendous door to gainentrance into the castle. And once the four were inside, the doorslammed itself shut, ensuring that no one would be escaping from thehorrible fortress.

“Oh myGod,” gasped Jaycee.

The otherswere just as horrified as Jaycee when they discovered what it wasthat had frightened her so. Hanging high upon the wall before themwas a large wooden cross. And upon the cross was nailed a man. Hiswrists had been penetrated by steel spikes as were his legs. But themost disturbing thing about what they were looking at was that theman nailed to the cross had not the head of a man, but that of agoat.

“What isthis?” gasped Aiko.

The manupon the cross suddenly began attempting to free himself fromcaptivity. The cries that burst from him came more from beast thanman.

“This istoo much,” whispered Aiko, making a move for the door. To herdismay, she found the door was no longer there.

A doorbeneath the abomination opened. Wanting badly to distance themselvesfrom the horrific sight, the four made no hesitation before venturingthrough.

Beyond thedoors was a labyrinth that stretched as far as the eye could see.

“Do wereally have to replace our way through here?” asked Archer.

“Itdoesn’t look like we have a choice,” said Aiko, who had onceagain found the entrance the group had just used no longer there.

“Thenlet’s go,” said James.

Jayceeclasped tightly onto James’ hand.

“So whichway do we go?” asked Aiko, still staring at the spot where the doorhad been. After not receiving a reply, she turned around only toreplace the others were gone. All that was set before her was aseemingly endless maze.

Archer hadsuffered the same fate as Aiko. He had taken his eyes off the othersfor only a second, but that had been long enough to become separated.

Had Jayceenot taken James’ hand, the same fate surely would have befallenher. But even together, the two were still very much alone.

Even witheyes closed and his subordinate’s ability to travel as silent asthe wind, Shadow Kahn knew that Sage had entered his throne room. His uncanny connection to the young man made him aware that somethingwas wrong.

“What isit that has you troubled, my loyal Sage?” asked Shadow Kahn.

Sage saidnothing as he gazed into his master’s eyes.

“I takeit you saw something not to your liking.”

“I sawwhat you did to those men,” said Sage, his gaze focused on thefloor.

“Theywere delusional,” said Shadow Kahn, making his way over. “Theyput their faith in a man. And no man can ever be your God. So whyfollow one?”

“Evenyou, my lord?”

“At onetime, that was so. But not now. I am far more than just a man. Ihave become someone to whom mankind should pledge their undyingdevotion. The old beliefs failed. How can one know what God is thetrue God if they have never looked upon His face? I am the true God. And anyone who says different will suffer grave consequence.”

“I sawit,” said Sage.

“You sawwhat?”

Sage meteyes with his master. “My creation.”

“And youwere confused by what you saw.”

“I’mnot confused about a thing,” said Sage, drawing his sword. “Ialways had the feeling that I was nothing but a surrogate for you. Astand-in until your real son returned to your side. But afterwitnessing that, all my doubts are gone. Was it not enough to bewhat I was? Did you have to lie to me about my past?”

“Howwould you have felt had you known the truth? You should be thankingme. I gave you a life. I made you real. Did you ever feeldifferent?”

“But nowthat the end is near, what good am I?”

“Istrongly urge you to reconsider.”

“Thentell me I’m wrong,” said Sage. “Tell me that what I saw wasn’treal.”

“How canI lie to you when you already know the truth?”

“Why him? Was there nothing better?”

“One cannot create life from nothing.”

“Youalways have an answer, don’t you?” remarked Sage.

“Thenyour decision is final?” asked Shadow Kahn. “Nothing I say isgoing to change your mind? If that is so, then make no morehesitation, my loyal Sage.”

Once againaverting his gaze, Sage dropped his sword at his master’s feet. “This was never any real life,” he said. “I’ve known thatfor so very long.”

Lookingback into his master’s eyes, Sage saw for the first time whatlooked like something other than anger and hate. There was almostsadness in them.

“I canput up this act no longer. I refuse to be neglected. I refuse toshare your favor with anyone. Even if that someone is the one you’vebeen waiting for your entire life. How could I ever share anythingwith him, knowing we’re one in the same?”

Shadow Kahnplaced his hand on Sage’s shoulder.

“Once youhave what you want, I’m merely going to be cast aside,” saidSage. “I know that. And I won’t allow it to happen. I won’tforce you to choose between us. Because I know the choice was madelong before my first breath was ever drawn. I won’t change the wayI feel. Not even for you, my lord.”

“Then sobe it,” said Shadow Kahn. “Let this act be testament that upondeaf ears your wishes do not fall. No matter how far it deviatesfrom my own, I will not deny you your final request.” Removing hishand from Sage’s shoulder was enough to reduce the young man backto the pile of ash from whence he had come. And by a sudden breeze,the ash was blown away until none of it was left behind.

With nary aspeck in his hand remaining of Sage’s existence, Shadow Kahnclenched a feeble fist. “There was always going to be a place inmy new world for you,” he said. “I was never going to neglectyou . . . my loyal Sage.”

Having losttrack of just how long he had been wandering the seemingly neverending maze, Archer came to the conclusion that he and the otherswere probably going to spend the rest of their lives in the dementedlabyrinth. He was sure there was no way out. And he was sure thatthe others were just as far from replaceing escape as he was.

“Cananyone hear me?” shouted Archer. “James, Jaycee, Aiko, are anyof you out there? Somebody, say something!”

Once theechoes had died, there was nothing but silence.

Archer’sdefeatist mindset changed when he came upon a door. On the otherside was a hallway. It was more narrow than the maze but made of thesame red stone. Having no desire to replace another way out, Archerventured inside.

Each stepArcher took created an unsettling echo in the cramped space. And itworried him to think he might be alerting something of his impendingarrival.

Shortlyinto the latest leg of his journey, Archer could hear something otherthan his own footsteps. It was faint but Archer could hear thedistinct sound of dripping water. And as he ventured further, thesound got louder.

Archer wasstartled when he came upon the source. It was blood that wasdripping from the ceiling, and it was dripping into an alreadysizable puddle on the floor.

“What isthis?” gasped Archer.

Not wantingto watch such a bizarre occurrence as blood dripping from a stoneceiling, Archer continued on his way. But he would be stopped deadin his tracks when the sound of dripping became more rapid. Archer’sheart began to race when he witnessed the blood start to pour fromthe ceiling at an alarming rate.

Once theblood had stopped pouring down, a far greater horror took place. Ahead made of rich crimson began to emerge from the puddle. Its mouthwas agape, as if in the middle of a silent, but still very horrific,scream. And with each moment that passed, more of the gruesomecreature began to emerge.

“There’sno way,” said Archer. “There’s just no way.”

Though hewanted to flee, Archer was unable to look away from the grislyspectacle before him. And it wasn’t before long when the creaturehad completely emerged from the puddle, its featureless face directedat Archer.

When thecreature made a move toward him, Archer fired an arrow. The arrowpierced the creature in the chest, then fell to the floor.

Realizingthat arrows couldn’t stop such a foe, Archer had no choice but toflee. At the end of the hall was another door, which Archer made nohesitation in entering through and locking behind him. The roomseemed a blessing and a curse at the same time as the door throughwhich he had just entered looked to be the only way out.

Thecreature was slow but it reached the room sooner than Archer hadexpected. It tried to gain entry, but was unable to get through alocked door.

Any feelingof relief Archer was feeling was quickly quelled when blood began toseep in under the door and through numerous cracks. Archer knew itwouldn’t be long before the blood was completely inside the room.

Scanningthe room hoping to replace something that could help him, Archer noticeda light coming from behind a bookshelf. Pulling it away from thewall, Archer discovered another door. When he opened it, he was hitimmediately by a searing heat.

Fastened tothe wall outside was a bridge hanging high above a bubbling redliquid. The bridge was little more than worn wooden planks and aseries of even more worn out ropes. If Archer could manage to makehis way across, another door awaited.

Treading ascarefully as he could, Archer was able to reach the other side of thebridge. But to his dismay, he found the door locked.

Thecreature emerged from the room and immediately began its trek acrossthe bridge. Knowing too well that an arrow would do nothing to stophis pursuer, Archer had no choice but to ram his shoulder into thedoor, in hopes of breaking it down. But despite his best effort,Archer was unable to gain entry into the next room.

With thecreature making its way closer and no means by which to escape,Archer had only the most desperate of options left. He had to cutthe ropes and destroy the bridge. If his plan was successful, thenthe creature would surely fall into the bubbling liquid and allArcher would need to do was hold on tight then climb back to where hehad come from.

Despitetheir worn appearance, the ropes were far stronger than Archer hadanticipated. This gave the blood ample time to close in on him.

When thefirst rope finally gave way, the bridge shook so violently thatArcher was sure he was going to fall from his precarious perch. Butwith such a tight grip on the other rope, he was able to keep himselffrom falling.

With thebridge losing its stability, the creature increased its speed.

Archer’scutting became more frantic the closer the creature got. “Cut,damn you,” he exclaimed. “Cut!” With the growing ferocitywith which the bridge began to sway, Archer knew he was close tosevering the second rope.

Just as thecreature had come to within an arm’s length, the rope snapped,sending the bridge falling. Holding the rope tightly, Archer wasable to keep from falling when the bridge slammed into the wall. Hisbow and arrows, however, were lost to him. And the creature droppedinto the liquid as it had made no attempt to cling to the rope.

With hisbody numb from the death-defying experience, Archer could do littlemore than cling to the rope and realize just how close he had come tohis demise. But the situation he and the others were in left Archerwith little time to count his blessings. He needed to climb to thetop and quickly continue on his way.

But beforeArcher could begin his climb, something so blistering hot that itburned a hole in his clothing grabbed him by the leg. Archerdiscovered that the creature of blood had taken a hold of him. Andit wasn’t before long when the heads of dozens more began risingfrom the liquid. It was at that moment when Archer realized the redliquid bubbling beneath him was in fact a lake of blood and if hewasn’t able to pull his leg free from his captor, then he would bespending his final moments in it.

The mazehad led Aiko to a door similar to the one Archer had found. Fearingwhat might be waiting for her, she cracked it open and peeked inside. Fortunately for her, all she found was a room larger than any shehad ever before seen.

“Be readyfor anything,” said Aiko as she made her way inside.

Once Aikohad gone deeper into the room, the door slammed shut.

“Thathappens way too often,” said Aiko.

When sheturned toward the door, Aiko found a woman dressed in the garb of afemale ninja. The smile on her face was anything but friendly.

“And who,may I ask, are you?” asked Aiko.

“My nameis Mika,” said the woman. “And I’m ever so glad to meet you.”

“Why do Inot believe that?”

“Itdoesn’t matter what you believe. All you need to know is, you’regoing to die now. You’re going to die a very slow and very painfuldeath.”

“It’lltake a lot more than you.”

“Thenlet’s give her what she wants, sister,” said a voice similar toMika’s.

“Who wasthat?” asked Aiko, scanning the room.

“No needto look for me. I’m standing right in front of you.”

Mikacrouched to present a perfect replica of herself standing behind her.

“Let meintroduce you to my sister, Mina,” said Mika. “She may look justlike me, but don’t be fooled into thinking her skills are asrefined as mine.”

“Alwaysthe boaster, aren’t you?” asked Mina. “Well, you know as wellas I do that anything you can do I can do, but far better.”

“Are youtwo cows finished arguing?” asked Aiko.

“What didyou call us?” asked Mika.

“I thinkthis little bitch needs to be taught a lesson,” said Mina.

“Icouldn’t agree with you more.”

Mina thentook her place in front of Mika.

“What doyou think you’re doing?” asked Mika. “You have to wait yourturn. Big sister always goes first. You know that.”

“Why areyou two arguing?” asked Aiko. “I don’t mind taking you on atthe same time. It’s the only way you’ll stand a chance againstme.”

“Did youhear that, sister?” asked Mina.

The sisterswent on the attack. But the furious barrage was nothing Aikocouldn’t handle. She blocked and dodged each strike with the graceof a true master of the art. And when she found an opening, Aiko wasable to strike her opponents, sending both reeling.

“Thisone’s going to be more trouble than we thought,” said Mina.

“Thenwe’ll just have to stop playing nice,” said Mika.

The sistersbegan circling Aiko like predators sizing up their prey.

“You planon attacking from both sides, is that it?” asked Aiko.

“That’sexactly it,” replied Mika. “Now, prepare yourself.”

The sistersagain attacked. Initially Aiko was able to evade all of heropponents’ attacks. But with a foe attacking from the front andthe back, her defense was eventually penetrated, forcing her toseparate herself from the sisters.

“Did yousee how hard I kicked her?” asked Mika. “I bet you can’t kickher nearly as hard as I just did.”

“Thatsounds like a challenge,” said Mina.

During thenext barrage, Mina was able to land a kick to Aiko’s ribs that wasso powerful that Aiko was sure it had broken one of them. But to notallow Mina the satisfaction of knowing she had been wounded, Aikorefrained from clutching at her battered body. The look of pain,however, was enough to show Mina that she had weakened her foe.

Mina beganlaughing. “Wrong again, sister,” she said. “I kicked her muchharder than you did. Just look at her. She’s fighting backtears.”

Clearlyupset by what her sister had said, Mika again attacked Aiko. Buteven with her foe battered, Mika was unable to land a blow. Aiko,however, was no match for a sneak attack. From behind, Mina landed ablow to the back of Aiko’s head, badly dazing the girl and sendingher crashing to her knees.

“Thinkyou can do better?” asked Mina.

“Child’splay,” said Mika. Showing her total lack of respect for Aiko, Mikajerked her off the floor by the hair. “Now let me show you theright way.” And with that, Mika drove her fist into Aiko’s face,sending her back to the floor in a near unconscious state.

“Welldone, sister. Now what?”

“As muchas I enjoy playing with this one,” said Mika, “the master gave usan order. So it’s time for us to bring an end to this.”

“Let medo it. You got to kill the last one.”

“You’renot finished with me yet,” said Aiko, her voice little more than awhisper. With a noticeable tremble in her body, Aiko got back to herfeet.

“Do youreally want us to hurt you more?” asked Mika. “Why don’t youjust make this easy for us and give up? I promise I’ll finish youquickly.”

“Neitherof you is better than me.”

Minacaptured Aiko from behind. “Why can’t you just accept it? You’re outclassed. There’s nothing you can do that we can’t dobetter.”

“There’sone thing I can do better than you,” said Aiko. When Mika drewclose enough, Aiko kicked her in the face. “I can fake being hurtbetter than you.”

“Littlebitch,” said Mika, clutching at her now bleeding nose. “So youwere only feigning your injuries? Then we have no choice but to stopplaying.”

Stomping onMina’s foot, Aiko was able to free herself. She then elbowed herin the face, sending Mina crashing to her knees.

“I don’tknow,” said Aiko. “Your sister had a much more pained look onher face after I beat her up. Maybe we should give you anotherchance.”

The insultwas enough to provoke the sisters to attack. Having already workedonce, they again attacked from the front and the back. In herweakened state, Aiko was unable to fight off both. After absorbingnumerous blows, Aiko was sent to the floor in a heap.

“Look atwhat I did,” said Mina. “It was my kick that finished her.”

“What areyou talking about?” asked Mika. “I’m the one who did this. Ikicked her so hard that she can’t even stand. You’ll never beable to kick as hard as me.”

“That’sa lie! I kick twice as hard as you can!”

As thesisters argued, Aiko realized that no matter how badly one sisterbeat her, the other would inevitably come up with something to besther.

Having toend the fight before one sister could prove herself stronger, Aikocame up with the only plan available to her. “I bet there’s onething you two can’t do better than me,” she said. And with that,Aiko got back to her feet and sprinted away.

“Resortingto cowardice?” asked Mika. “Well, it’ll do you no good. There’s nowhere for you to run. You’re just delaying theinevitable.”

“Afteryou, my lovely sister,” said Mina.

“Why,thank you. It’s nice to know that you’ve finally learned yourplace.”

Just asMika had begun her pursuit, Mina swept her leg out from under her. And with her sister on the floor, there was no one to stop Mina fromclaiming the prize.

“How dareyou,” exclaimed Mika before joining the chase.

“I don’tknow what you’re planning,” said Mina. “But it won’t work. There’s no escape from this room. All you’re doing is tiringyourself out even further, which will make my job of killing you somuch easier once I catch you.”

Mika wasunable to narrow the gap between she and the others. “I don’tknow how this proves anything,” she said. “You both startedbefore I did. How does this prove that either of you is faster thanme? You’re both cheaters.”

Even withthe distance between herself and the wall shrinking, Aiko did nothingto slow herself. She appeared as if she was going to run full speedinto it.

“Betterthink quick, little girl,” said Mina.

When shereached the wall, Aiko planted her foot on it and performed aflawless back flip. What made her move all the more elegant was thatAiko was able to shift her body so that when she landed she was nowfacing opposite the wall.

“Youthink I can’t do that?” asked Mina.

“I can dothat move in my sleep,” exclaimed Mika.

When shereached the wall, Mina performed flawlessly the same move as Aiko. But when she executed the shift that would put her facing oppositethe wall, it was discovered that Aiko was waiting for her on herlanding spot.

Knowingthat Mina was in no position to defend herself, Aiko unleashed asdevastating a kick as she could, catching her foe under the chin. The force of the impact sent Mina flipping backward before slammingto the floor.

Mika hadbeen so focused on what had happened to her sister that she failed tostop in time and ran face first into the wall. With no way to defendherself in her dazed state, Mika was easy prey for Aiko, who endedthe fight with a single blow.

“Sorry,ladies, but I’m in a rush,” said Aiko. “So I won’t be ableto play anymore.” She then turned her attention to Mina. “Bythe way, you hit the floor much harder than your sister. I’m sureif you were still conscious, you’d want to know that.”

To ensureneither sister was playing possum to get the drop on her, Aiko backedher way out of the room. But as she did, she backed into something. With the way things had gone so far, Aiko knew she had collided withyet another foe. “Don’t tell me there’s three of you,” shesaid. When she turned around, Aiko found Shadow Kahn. “It’syou.”

“Were youexpecting someone else?”

Aiko beganbacking away, but she stopped after only a few steps.

“No,”she said. “I won't back down. No matter what, I will stand myground.”

“You havefar more courage than brains,” said Shadow Kahn.

Aiko’sresponse was to strike Shadow Kahn in the face. Knowing she had nowpassed the point of no return, Aiko had no choice but to continueattacking. Such ferocity was there behind the assault that whatlittle energy she had left quickly depleted.

“Have youhad your fill?” asked Shadow Kahn.

Havingpushed herself to near exhaustion, Aiko hadn’t the energy toanswer.

Shadow Kahngrabbed Aiko by the throat and lifted her off the floor. Aiko triedas best she could to remove the hand, but her captor’s grasp wasunbreakable.

“Have youany last words before you take your final breath?”

“I neverturned my back on him,” said a now teary eyed Aiko.

“Howadmirable.”

As herfinal act, Aiko spat in Shadow Kahn’s face.

“Thereare so many noble ways a person can die. Unfortunately, you will notbe dying one of those deaths.” And with that, Shadow Kahn crushedAiko’s throat. Her lifeless body being of no use to him, ShadowKahn tossed it to the floor and took his leave.

James andJaycee were having no luck escaping the maze. Just when it felt asif they were close to replaceing a way out, they quickly realized theywere no closer to their freedom than they had been at the beginningof their ordeal.

“James,”said Jaycee. “Do you hear something?”

Jameslistened for what it was that Jaycee had heard. And that was when heheard the same growling sound he had heard the night his parents weretaken from him. But the direction from which it was coming wasunknown.

Whatstarted off as one soon became many. It had become painfully obviousthat James and Jaycee were now surrounded.

“James,”said Jaycee, a noticeable tremble in her voice.

“Let’sgo,” said James, taking Jaycee by the hand. The two then began amad sprint. But no matter how fast they ran, the two couldn’tescape the growls.

It wouldsoon be discovered, though, that not being able to distancethemselves from the growls was the least of their problems.

Oneunfortunate turn led James and Jaycee to a dead end. But once thetwo had found themselves unable to go any further, the growlingstopped. And in its place emerged the sound of approachingfootsteps.

Shadow Kahnemerged, prompting James to draw his sword.

“Now,now, James,” said Shadow Kahn. “You have no need for thatweapon. I was hoping we could have a peaceful discussion. Just thetwo of us.” He then turned his attention to Jaycee. Jamesinstinctively stood in front of her.

“Youheartless murderer,” said James. “How could you?”

“To whichinstance are you referring? The untimely demise of those claiming tobe your parents . . . or the eradication of mankind?”

“Bastard!”exclaimed James. Though he was incensed by what Shadow Kahn hadsaid, James refrained from attacking as he knew a battle would befutile.

“Why areyou not attacking me? Is it because you fear what will happen if youdo? Or is it because you would rather not turn your weapon againstyour own blood?”

“Don’tyou ever say that again. You are not my father. At one time inhistory, that might have been true, but you’re the furthest thingfrom that now.”

“But,James,” said Shadow Kahn. “I will always be your father. Regardless of how much time passes, nothing will ever change that.”

“You’renothing to me,” exclaimed James. “Is that why you killed myparents? Because in your twisted mind I was still your son?”

“Thereason for that was simple. They took you from me, so I took themfrom you. I was merely forcing them to pay for their crime.”

“You’rea demon!”

“Suchbehavior is so unbecoming of you,” said Shadow Kahn.

“Whythem? Why not me? I’m the one you wanted to punish. Isn't thatright? Because I refused to bow down to you?”

“Punish? Is that what you think? James, I have no intention of punishing you. Once I create my new world, you will be its king.”

“What?”gasped James.

“That iswhy I need you. You will reign over this world as its king, while Iwatch over it as its God. Is that still not enough to convince you?”

“I’llnever join you.”

“Why mustyou play the part of rebellious child? Why can you not see that, asyour father, I have only your best interest in mind?”

“You’renot my father! Your blood may have at one time flowed through myveins, but not anymore. You’re nothing to me!”

“Let meput this in terms that you can better understand. The only reasonyou were sent here was to bring an end to me, though it was such amisguided thing for them to do. They thought I would never be ableto raise a hand to my child. I reluctantly proved them wrong. Now,if by some small chance you do stop me, what do you think will becomeof you? Do you think you will be allowed to live this life thatnever should have existed? Look at it this way, James. If I exist,you exist, if I disappear, you disappear. You need me more than youcould ever imagine. As does this world. For I am the only one whocan repair the damage that has been done to it. So, are you still soeager to bring about my downfall?”

“How canI believe a word that comes from your mouth?” asked James.

“Thisuseless back and forth is clearly going to get us nowhere. And mypatience wore thin long ago, James. Now, I have waited far too longfor this day, and will let nothing stand in my way. Not even you. So let me bring an end to this.”

Facing thepalm of his hand toward James, Shadow Kahn conjured a ball of bluelight. “I do regret having to do this,” he said. “But if yourefuse to join me, then I have no choice but to force you. It willcome as a surprise when you replace just how easily your spirit isbroken once you come back from the dead.” Shadow Kahn then focusedon Jaycee. “But as for you, my dear, you are not going to be asfortunate. For this is where your journey comes to an end. If youwish to say goodbye, then this would be the time to do so.”

Jamessheathed his sword.

“Finallycoming to your senses?” asked Shadow Kahn.

BeforeJames could give his reason, Archer leaped from the top of the mazewall and captured Shadow Kahn in his grasp, pinning his arms. Eventhough the spell was in its infancy, it still caused Archer a greatamount of pain.

“Archer,”gasped James.

“James,Jaycee, it’s been an honor to serve with you,” said Archer. “Buta good soldier knows when to lay down his life to save his comrades.”

“Youcan’t,” said Jaycee.

“Itdoesn’t look like we have a choice,” said Archer. “Now go! Ihave a feeling he can break free anytime he wants.”

“Youwould be correct,” said Shadow Kahn.

Archer gaveJames and Jaycee a nod as they made their escape.

“Are youaware of the consequences that await you?” asked Shadow Kahn. “Youare not going to escape with your life.”

“I’maware,” said Archer. “The question is: are you?”

“You poorfool.” And with that, Shadow Kahn’s spell exploded, reducingArcher to nothing more than mangled bits and pieces.

What haddone unspeakable damage to Archer had left Shadow Kahn with nary atrace of injury. Archer had given his life with the belief thatShadow Kahn’s spell backfiring would do great harm to him, but thatseemed not to be the case. For Shadow Kahn had done nothing toescape as he had been confident that his power could do him no harm.

“Can thevenom that courses through a serpent turn against its host?” askedShadow Kahn. “It was quite naïve of you to think your strategywould actually bear fruit. You sacrificed your life for absolutelynothing.”

Havingtaken his parting shot at the fallen warrior, Shadow Kahn began hisdeparture. But after only a few steps, he brought his progress to ahalt. For blood had begun to seep from a wound on Shadow Kahn’shead and was now running down his face.

Just whenthey felt as if they could run no further, James and Jaycee came tothe end of the maze. And waiting for them at the end was a pair ofimmense doors. They knew immediately that whatever it was on theother side of those doors, it surely would be bringing them to theend of their journey, one way or another.

With anominous creak, the doors opened by themselves.

There wasnothing but darkness inside the room. But that did nothing to deterJames and Jaycee from venturing inside.

Torcheslining the walls lit and began putting off enough light to show thatthe room was large enough to hold even the grandest of coliseums. The light also illuminated Shadow Kahn, sitting upon a massive throneat the other end of the room.

James andJaycee made their way closer.

Shadow Kahnmade nary a move, his head lowered.

“You knowwe’re here,” said James. “So let’s finish this.”

“And thenthere were two,” said Shadow Kahn.

“Aiko?”whispered Jaycee.

“Youshould be quite proud of yourselves. But all adulation aside. Doyou know what a father must do when a disobedient child refuses toobey him?”

“Stopcalling yourself my father,” demanded James.

Shadow Kahnraised his head to meet eyes with James. “He must resort to verydrastic measures to ensure the end of such behavior.”

From out ofnowhere appeared the woman in white. But unlike before, her clothingwas now of the darkest shade of black, including her silkenblindfold. Shackles hanging from the ceiling had ensnared her by thewrists, leaving her to dangle in midair.

“Whathave you done to her?” asked James. “Why is she in black?”

“Ibrought her back to life. And I dressed her in black because thecolor far better suits her now. And what I want now is for you tokill her.”

“What?”gasped James. “Never! I would never do such a thing.”

As if inresponse to James’ refusal, streaks of electricity began to ravagethe woman, producing the most horrendous of screams.

“What areyou doing?” asked James. “Stop!”

“If yourefuse to kill her, then this will continue to happen. Now, is thatreally something you want for your beloved mother?”

“What?”asked James.

“Youheard what I said.”

The womanin black was left limp and motionless from the attack.

“Pleaseexcuse my poor memory,” said Shadow Kahn. “But since you refusedto accept me as your father, then you have no choice but to refuseher as your mother.”

“There'sno way,” said James.

“Sinceyou reject this woman, then you have no ties to her,” said ShadowKahn. “Which means you must allow her to accept her fate. Fromthis moment on, her life will be a never ending nightmare. No matterhow much agony her body is forced to endure, death will not spareher. She will exist only to be a vessel for pain and suffering.”

Streaks ofelectricity again ravaged the woman. The screams that burst from herseemed even more horrific than the ones that had come before.

“Stop!”exclaimed James.

“Whyshould I?” asked Shadow Kahn. “I have no problem with this. Butif seeing such a thing brings you so much grief, then perhaps youshould stop it. Perhaps what you need to do is ask yourself how muchyou care for this woman. Do you care for her enough to let her liveand allow her existence to be an eternity of misery? Or do you carefor her enough to bring an end to her life and spare her from theunimaginable horror that awaits her?”

A tremblingJames drew his sword.

“Whowould have thought that fate would be so kind as to bless us with thereunion of our precious little family,” said Shadow Kahn.

Jamesreluctantly began his advance. Even in such a dire situation, he wasunable to bring himself to hasten his step. For the longer it took,he thought, the further away he was from the horrible act he wasbeing forced to commit.

When he hadreached a suitable distance from which to strike, James was attackedby the electricity. It was unbearably painful, but James refused toflee.

“James!”screamed Jaycee.

“Stayback,” shouted James. With precious little time before hesuccumbed to the pain, James knew he had to take action. “Pleaseforgive me,” he said. And with that, he ran his sword through hismother’s chest, bringing about the most horrible scream of all.

Theelectricity died away and the chains ensnaring James’ motherreleased their captive, allowing her limp shell of a body to fall tothe floor. After ever so carefully removing his sword from her,James held his mother.

“James,”said his mother. “Let me see you.”

Honoringwhat he knew would be her final request, James removed his mother’sblindfold. Her eyes were the same striking shade of blue as his.

Seeing herson for the first time in so many years, James’ mother couldn’thelp but smile. “What a handsome man you’ve become,” she said,placing her hand upon James’ face. With blood on her hands, sheinadvertently stained James’ face red.

“Whydidn’t you tell me who you were?”

“It wasforbidden. One could call it punishment for the life I led. Besides, what right did I have to call myself your mother? I wasnever worthy of you.”

“As muchas I hate to break up this touching moment,” said Shadow Kahn. “Time is of the essence, and we have very important business totend to. So if you would be so kind as to take your leave, it wouldbe greatly appreciated.”

James’mother then burst into flames, forcing James to release her. It tookno time at all for her body to completely burn away to nothing.

“You madeno hesitation whatsoever in taking your own mother’s life,” saidShadow Kahn. “If this is how you treat those you care about, thenI shudder at the thought of what you have in store for your dearfather.”

“Howcould you make him do that?” asked Jaycee.

“Silence,”said Shadow Kahn. “You have no right to address me. This hasnothing to do with anyone but my son and I. But if you really wantto get involved.”

“Stay outof this, Jaycee,” said James.

“But,James.”

“I swearto you, I won’t let any harm come to you.”

“Whatchivalry,” said Shadow Kahn. “Fear not, girl. After I finishwith him, you will be next. So cherish these last few moments thatyou have left.”

“Thisends here and now,” said James.

“I agreewholeheartedly.”

A ball ofblue light appeared in the palm of Shadow Kahn’s hand. But when itdid, a trickle of blood began to run from his nose, prompting ShadowKahn to do away with the spell. The effects from his earlier spellbackfiring on him were far from finished with him. “It would seemthat I have no other choice,” he whispered.

“Seeingas I believe in a level playing field,” said Shadow Kahn. “Wewill do this your way.” Within his grasp appeared a black light inthe shape of a blade. And from that light emerged a most magnificentlooking sword.

“What isthat?” asked James.

“Beholdthe most powerful weapon in all creation. Crafted in the fires wherethe demons sleep. Behold the Sword of Hell.”

Showingneither fear nor awe for the weapon, James attacked. His strikeswere fast and furious, but Shadow Kahn was up to the task ofdefending.

“I takeit my weapon failed to impress you.”

James lethis sword do the talking and unleashed wave after wave of furiousstrikes. Though he had no experience in swordplay, Shadow Kahncontinued to deflect every attack. For his sword was more than amere weapon. It was a living entity that craved battle, and it wouldstop only after tasting blood.

When anopening had presented itself, Shadow Kahn unleashed a single attack. The impact of such a powerful weapon clashing with his sent asensation through James’ body that left him nearly completely numb.

“Do youreally want this battle to continue?” asked Shadow Kahn. “Thissword will never allow you to win. And despite how strong yourspirit might be, your body will not last forever. You yearn formercy. I can see it in your eyes.”

James againattacked. But with such ease did Shadow Kahn defend himself that itlooked as if he was toying with him.

“Do youstill not understand? You will never be my equal. No matter howwell you fight, I will always defeat you. Far better men than youhave come at me with far more than what you have only to meet with amost unpleasant demise. Now, allow me to give you a merciful deathso that I may begin . . .” Before Shadow Kahn could finish, Jamescaught him by surprise with a slash to the cheek.

FearingShadow Kahn’s wrath would be unleashed because of what he had done,James began backing away. He knew if the man he was battling hadbeen holding back, then his brazen attack would ensure that ShadowKahn would stop doing so.

Aftertouching his face to feel the cut, Shadow Kahn’s demeanor grewdark. “Do you think this proves anything?” he asked.

“Thenwhat are you waiting for?” asked James. “Why isn’t that woundhealing itself like the other one? Is it because it can’t?”

Shadow Kahnimmediately went back on the attack. His effort produced a slashacross James’ cheek in the same spot where James had cut him.

“James!”screamed Jaycee.

“Archerand I talked about this very thing before we got here,” said James,who seemed strangely calm for someone who had just been wounded. “Itall stemmed from something Sage told me. He said the only powerstrong enough to stop you was your own. It took a while, but Ieventually figured out what he meant by that.”

“Sagetold you this?” asked Shadow Kahn.

“It wassupposed to be me who sacrificed himself to stop you. But Archerbeat me to it. As you so clearly saw for yourself.”

“Layingdown your life to save another. What a foolish concept. No one inthis world is worth dying for. How naïve it was of you to thinkthat something like that could actually stop me. I thrive upon thepower that courses through this body.”

“But isit really your power? Or are you merely someone’s puppet?”

Rather thananswering the question, Shadow Kahn attacked. But his body wasgrowing weaker by the second, leaving him unable to penetrate James’defense, even while in possession of such a powerful weapon.

Sensing hisfoe’s weakening state, James became the aggressor. Only by thenarrowest of margins was Shadow Kahn able to defend himself.

“What areyou waiting for?” asked James. “Use some sort of spell and doaway with me. That’s what you’re best at, isn't it?”

“To thinkmy kindness would receive this response. I did this only to give youa fighting chance, and you repay me with insults?”

“Then Isuggest you stop going easy on me.”

“If thatis what you want,” said Shadow Kahn.

The Swordof Hell began to tremble as if growing eager with anticipation.

“I shouldlet you know that since this sword has already tasted your blood, itwill stop at nothing to taste more,” said Shadow Kahn. As hespoke, a trickle of blood began to run from his mouth. “Even I ampowerless to stop it.”

With aferocity James had yet to see in the battle, Shadow Kahn went on theattack. Only barely was he able to defend himself. It had becomepainfully obvious that the battle was no longer being fought againstShadow Kahn, but against his weapon.

“James,”whispered Jaycee.

Having thenewfound power to contend with, James was unable to defend againstevery attack. He absorbed numerous slashes to his chest and arms,but the adrenaline that was fueling him made it possible for him tofight on. And with a weapon that was concerned only with attacking,James successfully landed several attacks of his own.

So furioushad the fighting become that James and Shadow Kahn had to separatejust to catch their breath. Both fighters were now bloody messesfrom the damage they had sustained, making them nearly too weak tofinish what they had started.

“You hadbetter hurry if you intend to finish me off,” said Shadow Kahn. “You look to be tiring. But with this sword, I can fight forever.”

“Whydon’t I believe that?” asked James.

“Why mustwe fight like this, James? Why can you not see things from myperspective? I merely want to change this world for the better.”

“How canI believe that? Look at what you’ve done.”

“The lossof life is a necessary evil. There was no place for them in my newworld. There was only room enough for you and I.”

“And whatmakes me any different from them?” asked James. “I have the samewants and desires. The same fears, the same flaws.”

“But noneof them were my blood.”

“Andneither am I,” said James.

“Youstill believe that? You certainly have the same stubbornness thoseof this world had. That will be addressed once I bring you back fromthe other side.”

“Youdon’t get it, do you? I’ll never be yours. I’ll fight youevery time. I have my own will. And that will is going to make mewant nothing to do with you. If you succeed in creating this perfectnew world of yours, you’ll have it without me.”

“Oneshould never underestimate the power of persuasion.”

“What doyou mean?” asked James.

“What ifI promised to let that girl live? After all, what good is a kingwithout a queen? The two of you could rule this world together . . .forever.”

So caughtoff guard was James that he was unable to come up with a reply.

“Wouldyou like to reconsider now? Or would you rather your dear littleJaycee suffer a fate far worse than anything you could ever imagine?”

“Whywould I subject Jaycee to the same living Hell you want for me?”

“Howunfortunate,” said Shadow Kahn, who attacked so quickly that Jameshad no time to react. The Sword of Hell pierced his shoulder, onlybarely missing a fatal blow.

“James!”screamed Jaycee. Unable to stand back any longer, she ran to him. Jaycee had no fear of the danger she was putting herself in. Shecared only about tending to James, and was willing to take any riskto do so.

Thedistraction of Jaycee approaching forced Shadow Kahn to take his eyesoff James for only a split second, but it was more than enough timefor James to replace an opening and run his blade through Shadow Kahn’schest.

To hisknees fell Shadow Kahn. Even with a sword penetrating his chest,there was no look of pain on his face. He looked more surprised thananything.

When Jayceetried to remove the Sword of Hell, an incredible pain coursed throughher body. A weapon such as that would allow no mere mortal to handleit. But despite the pain, Jaycee again took hold of the weapon andcarefully removed it. When it had been removed, Jaycee threw it tothe floor.

“Ithought I told you to stay back,” said James.

“Icouldn’t just stand there and watch you die,” replied Jaycee.

“To thinkthat I would so blindly follow my foolish pride to commit such anact,” said Shadow Kahn. “I turned what should have been abeautiful gift into nothing but a mockery. To turn my weapon on myown son . . . there is no greater shame.”

To theirutter disbelief, James and Jaycee watched as tears began to fall fromShadow Kahn’s eyes.

“Is thisthe proof you needed?” asked Shadow Kahn. “Does this not provemy humanity? But shed no tears for me, for this is not where myjourney ends. Death will not stand in my way. For those like us . .. we never fade away. We are never forgotten like so many that havecome before.”

Deathhaving no power over him, new life was breathed into the GreatDeceiver. And with his rebirth came a most disturbing laugh. And asthat laughter grew, the ring of fire roared back to life. And withinthe fire reappeared the gargantuan beast. Its monstrous roar wastestament to its master’s victory.

“PerhapsI was wrong to go about things in the manner I did,” said ShadowKahn, his gaze turned to the heavens. “But everything I did, I didfor the right reasons.”

“Getback, Jaycee,” said James.

Jaycee madeno protest and did as she was told.

“Thereare no words that can mend the mistakes of the past,” said ShadowKahn. “Nor can any act atone for such sin.”

“Stopnow,” demanded James.

“Still .. . Your mercy graces me. Oh God, my God.”

Having noother choice, James ran his blade through Shadow Kahn’s throat,rendering him unable to continue. When the life looked to have beendrained from him, James ever so carefully removed his blade.

As much ashe had come to loathe the man, James couldn’t help but shed tearsfor him. He had denied Shadow Kahn many times, but deep down he knewthat at one time in history the two had been father and son.

“Is itover?” asked Jaycee.

“It’sover,” replied James.

Just asJames had begun his way back to Jaycee, the Sword of Hell began totremble, albeit ever so slightly. Neither had any idea as to thetrue power behind the weapon until Jaycee spotted it out the cornerof her eye. “Behind you,” she exclaimed.

Jamesturned and discovered the Sword of Hell just as it had flung itselfat him. Throwing himself to the floor, James was able to narrowlyavoid the pierce of its blade.

The soundof Jaycee’s staff hitting the floor sent a chill down James’spine. It was the thing he had feared most since the beginning ofthe ordeal. He had vowed to protect Jaycee even if it meant he wouldhave to give his own life to do so, but those well meaning intentionsmeant nothing now. James knew he had failed Jaycee in the mostterrible way.

Everyinstinct told James not to look, but he had no choice. When heturned to face Jaycee, he found her lying on her side. The Sword ofHell had penetrated her stomach and was protruding out her back.

“James,”said Jaycee, her voice a mere whisper.

Jamesrushed to Jaycee and took her in his arms. “Jaycee,” he said,tears welling in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“It’snot your fault,” said Jaycee.

Each breaththat Jaycee took was so faint that James feared it would be her last.

James beganto pull ever so gently on the Sword of Hell, ignoring the pain thatwas being inflicted upon him for handling such a weapon. But witheach tug James made, it became evident by Jaycee’s face that herbody was paying a heavy price. Reluctantly, James continued to pulluntil the sword was completely free. He then threw it to the floor,hoping he had caused the living weapon pain by doing so.

James tookJaycee’s hand. Her touch was noticeably cold.

“I’mglad that I was able to make this journey with you,” said Jaycee. “It might not have ended the way we wanted, but I’m happy that wedid it together.”

“So am I. I wouldn’t have wanted to make it with anyone else.”

“We’llsee each other again,” said Jaycee, her eyes growing heavy. It wasobvious that Jaycee was fighting a losing battle with the comingdarkness, but still she refused to yield. “I know we will. Someday we’ll be together.”

“Wewill,” said James.

“I loveyou, James.” And with that, Jaycee closed her eyes for the lasttime.

Jamestightened his embrace and wept the most bitter of tears.

The floorbegan to shake. So furiously did it tremble that the castle began tocrumble. Having no fear of death, James refused to release Jaycee. He could think of no better way to perish than with his beloved inhis arms.

The far endof the room was swallowed into a fiery pit. And as the pit grew,James was sure it was only a matter of time before it swallowed him,as well.

But thegrowing hole would not be taking James. It seemed to be growing inthe opposite direction as it devoured only the back of the castle.

The meretoppling of a once mighty structure, however, would only pale incomparison to the horror that was soon to rear its gruesome head. From the now gargantuan hole came a roar unlike anything James hadever before heard. The sheer volume of it was nearly enough todeafen him, which let James know that the size of the beast that hadmade it would have to be unimaginable.

First toemerge from the hole was the head. That part of it alone was largeenough to block out the sun. And the horns that protruded from itwere as tall as towers. Even the red eyes of the behemoth dwarfedJames.

As hewatched the beast rise, James was unaware of the privilege that wasbeing bestowed upon him. For he was the first mortal to ever seteyes upon the king of the demons, and he would surely be the last.

So enormouswas it that even from only the waist up the demon king alreadytowered hundreds of feet. Its wingspan stretched even further.

Thecreature had always been the most favored of the Great Deceiver’sunderlings. And no mere upstart could ever usurp its position.

Beforeturning its attention to James, the king of the demons picked upShadow Kahn's lifeless body and devoured it with incredible ease.

With suchenormous size on its side, the demon king would have no problemcrushing James like a gnat. But it refrained from using brute forceto do away with the world’s last trace of humanity. Instead, thedemon king faced its hand toward the floor. What started off as asmall black spark soon began to grow to a massive size.

ShadowKahn’s version of Hell’s Fury, even on its small scale, hadcreated incredible destruction. But if the demon king unleashed thespell at its intended size, the result could be so catastrophic thatit might rip the planet in half.

James tookpossession of the Sword of Hell. Despite the excruciating pain heexperienced while holding it, James refused to release it. He thenstared down the rapidly growing ball of black energy as if it was aliving opponent staring back at him. In only a short time, the spellhad already grown to an enormous size.

With nohesitation, James began a furious charge. The nearer he drew toHell’s Fury, the more damage was done to him. The first few stepshad created paper thin slashes to several parts of his body, and thecloser he got, deeper gashes began appearing. But regardless of hispain, James refused to slow his progress.

With everyounce of strength he had left, James slashed Hell’s Fury. Theswirling black ball exploded so violently that it would have beenfelt hundreds of miles away had there been anyone left to feel themagnitude.

In lessthan the blink of an eye, James was vaporized, as was Jaycee’sbody. The demon king departed from the world of the living with aghastly howl as its body was torn to shreds by the very spell it hadconjured. And nothing but the memory remained of Shadow Kahn’scastle as nothing but a vast nothingness remained in the wake ofHell’s Fury.

Havingsuffered such a horrific wound, the Earth began to sink into itself. The hole that had been created didn’t stop growing until it wasmiles wide.

Like thepurging of sin from a wretched soul, the Earth then began to expelthousands of demons. No longer content with the kingdom of Hell,they had come to lay their claim to the barren Earth above.

The demonsroared to the sky in jubilation of their glorious victory. For itwas a truly wondrous culmination to the Great Deceiver’s plan.