Chapter 32 – Showdown

GR’EX, JEK’JON, & TAN’DON

Gr’ex shook his head as he saw his master’s friend crash into a building. “Well, he’s dead. No one could’ve survived an instant kill artifact like that.”

Gr’ex was on Lucile with Tan’don and Jek’jon. Lucile was towards the back of the battle as Gr’ex and Tan’don had zero interest in getting in melee range. They were both casters and were best at ranged combat.

“Agreed. Our new master is not going to be happy to lose his friend. Hopefully he doesn’t take it out on us.” Tan’don replied.

“No, Shadowalker is not like that. He actually cares about us. Laraaq should’ve known better than to charge at the boss.” Gr’ex commented.

“He probably thought if he took him out it would be all over.” Jek’jon theorized.

“Ha! Not likely with that abomination in the mix. That thing would go feral the moment its master is killed. It will have to be taken down first.” Gr’ex stated.

Tan’don nodded in agreement. “I still cannot believe Tek’tar would be foolish enough to tangle with the Eldritch.”

“Please. Tek’tar has always been a power-hungry fool.” Gr’ex replied.

Tan’don looked incredulously at Gr’ex. “You are one to talk Gr’ex.”

“Hey! I have grown since then! It is not all about power for me...” Gr’ex retorted.

“Now maybe, but just last week when we talked, you had that power hungry look in your eye you’ve had since we were little.” Jek’jon fired back.

Gr’ex harrumphed.

Jek’jon decided to stop teasing his best friend. “We have more important things to worry about than Gr’ex’s personal growth as a goblin.”

“Agreed!” Tan’don said as he cast an Earth spell to subtly change the ground underneath some Bone Marrow goblins causing them to lose their balance and fall over. Goob’reks and his squad used the opportunity to kill the off-balance goblins.

“That Goob’reks is impressive.” Tan’don commented.

“He took Gr’ex’s recommendation to embrace the Shadow class. After meeting Shadowalker he practically jumped at the chance. He and his squad are absolute fanatics when it comes to Shadowalker. Though many of my people, myself included are as well.” Jek’jon explained.

Gr’ex threw a Death Bolt at a Bone Marrow warrior that broke through the line. The goblin screamed before falling dead, only to rise again as one of Gr’ex’s minions. The undead minion turned around and plugged the hole in the line he’d just made. “I love that spell!”

“Of course, you do, it’s a classic. I still cannot believe some necromancers are unaware if you dual cast it with Raise Dead they comeback stronger than normal undead minions.” Jek’jon commented.

“I did not know that, and I am twice both your ages combined!” Tan’don commented as he shot out an Earth Spike to impale another goblin who broke their attacking line.

“Yea but that is because you are and Earth Tamer. Strong with beasts and Earth magic but little to do with necromancy.” Jek’jon stated.

“Grandma taught Jek’jon, and I when we were kids.” Gr’ex explained.

“Hal’ex is a fine woman. Such a talented goblin female.” Tan’don commented with a wistful smile on his face.

Jek’jon and Gr’ex looked at each other before Gr’ex about gagged. Jek’jon put his hand on the Crawlers chief’s shoulder. “Ignore Gr’ex. I think it is sweet when older goblins can find love.”

Tan’don’s face turned a shade of purple. “Wait, what? No... I just...” he stuttered out before looking at Gr’ex. “Sorry my boy, your grandma and I wanted to find the right time to tell you...”

“Tell me what?” Gr’ex began to say when it clicked in his head. “Nooo...” Gr’ex said before he sent another Death Bolt at a charging goblin. That made him think of his grandma and how she could still whoop his behind even now, so he decided to change his tune. “You know what, never mind. You two do you... I mean, Ugh I just do not want to see it.”

Jek’jon just laughed at his friend’s embarrassment as he sent his own undead minions charging into the fight.

Gr’ex cast spell after spell, trying to shift his mind from the thoughts running unbidden in his mind. “Must get image of Grandma and Tan’don out of my head!”

“Well don’t give them to me!” Jek’jon teased as he cast his own spells at their enemies.

After that reveal, Gr’ex stopped his musings and put all his focus on the battle. The trio of goblin casters wreaked havoc on the battlefield wherever Lucile took them. The spider was smart, and it was clear this was not her first battle either. She guided them to areas where the attacking lines were wavering so as they buckled, the trio of casters stepped in and plugged the hole and pushed on.

LARAAQ

A workbench had arrested Laraaq’s momentum after he crashed through the brick wall. It took him several moments to untangle himself from the rubble. Laraaq knew the Time Armor buff Shadowalker placed on him saved his life. He also knew his were-form helped him survive going through a brick wall. There were bruises in multiple places and cuts and gashes on his arms and torso.

Just as Laraaq was standing up after extricating himself from the rubble, Jennifer burst in through the hole in the wall.

“Laraaq! Are you okay?! Wait! How are you standing?” Jennifer blurted out multiple statements and questions as her brain processed what she was seeing.

“My were-form makes me pretty durable.” Laraaq commented as he had blood running down his left arm.

“Apparently not durable enough. Hold still and let me heal you!” Jennifer said as she cast her diagnostics and healing spells.

After a few minutes Laraaq was feeling fine. He knew he would be sore later but that was a small price to pay when surviving an instant kill artifact and crashing through a brick wall. “Come on we have to get back out there!” Laraaq said as he started to head for the same hole he made.

“You just got slammed through a wall and you want to go back out there?!” Jennifer asked incredulously.

Laraaq looked at her. Other than his best friend and some family, he wasn’t used to people being concerned for his well-being. “Look I appreciate the concern, but you checked me out, I’m fine.”

“Multiple lacerations and a few broken bones would not classify as fine!” Jennifer argued.

“But you healed those wounds.” Laraaq retorted.

“Yes, but I’m running low on mana, what if something else happens. I may not be able to save you.” Jennifer said concerned.

“I appreciate that Jennifer, but there is zero chance I’m not going back into that fight, not when my best friend and your parents are out there risking their lives! What kind of a man would I be? More importantly what kind of a friend would that make me?!” Laraaq explained.

He wanted her to know he appreciated the concern, but Laraaq could not live with himself if others he cared about were risking their lives and he did nothing.

Jennifer sighed. She knew he was right. She did not want anything to happen to her family and the friends she started to make either. “You’re right. I just lost control of my emotions for a moment there. I’m fine.” She loaded a round into her rifle. “Let’s kill some goblins!”

“I knew I liked you!” Laraaq said as he stepped out from the hole.

Laraaq surrounded his fist in flame. Realizing it didn’t burn him he got a crazy idea. Concentrating he spread the fire all over his body. Jennifer stepped back from the heat.

Laraaq was rewarded with a notification.

Congratulations! You have unlocked the spell Flame Armor! This is a 5th tier spell!

Spell: Flame Armor (5th Tier)

Description: Surround yourself in burning flames. These flames do not harm you but can burn your enemies and counteract any Water or Ice attacks. Causes a slow but constant drain on mana. The more mana channeled into the spell the more intense the heat.

Laraaq yelled out at Tek’tar and flipped him the bird. “Flame on, bitches!”

After shocking and insulting the goblin boss Laraaq and Jennifer witnessed the Eldritch Undead Abomination deal a devastating blow to the Magimech. The giant power suit crashed into a nearby building and did not get up.

“Go! I’ll get your parents some payback!” Laraaq said as he shifted into full Battle Honey-Badger form, growing to four meters tall, still covered in flames.

Laraaq barreled into the Eldritch Abomination. The monster screamed as each blow Laraaq landed burn the abomination’s flesh. The two behemoths batted at each other relentlessly as their fight moved them further west of the battle and the fallen Magimech.

Jennifer wasted no time rushing to the giant power suit. The thing had a huge dent in it and sparks were periodically coming from certain parts of the Magimech. She carefully navigated the collapsed building the suit had crushed.

Jennifer was able to reach the small emergency hatch they built just in case the main hatch was damaged, which it was. Opening the hatch, she quickly found her mom and dad both unconscious, blood and visible wounds on their faces. She immediately began to cast her diagnostics and healing spells on them, focusing on the life-threatening injuries first.

Jennifer knew she did not have enough mana to fix all of their injuries. As she cast one healing spell after the other, Jennifer just hoped it would be enough. After healing her father, who was closer, she moved to her mother, casting the last of her power in the hope it would be enough to save her life.

‘Laraaq, kick that ugly monster’s butt. Make it pay for what it did...’ was the last thing Jennifer thought before she passed out from mana fatigue.

SHADOWALKER

I had been fighting on the frontlines when Tek’tar used some kind of instant kill artifact on Laraaq. After seeing my best friend get thrown through a wall and then step out completely fine and looking like a flaming badger. ‘I know there is a joke in there somewhere.’ I thought before I turned my attention on dodging these Bone Marrow goblins.

Many of the goblins seemed to be moving through molasses in winter with how slow they were. I realized with my mental speed and Dexterity increases it made it easy to dodge and counterattack them with a Dark Bolt or quick slash with my blade. Only the more Dexterity based fighters proved a problem to my speed.

The combination of Master ranked Weapons Mastery and Unarmed Combat Mastery helped me quickly adapt to the fight as if I was easily recalling a memory of where I had done this exact fight in the past. I made short work of those that entered my path. Every now and then I would shoot off a Dark Lightning spell that would wreak havoc on the enemy, causing several to move away from my part of the battlefield.

As I made my way through the enemy forces, I saw the Eldritch Abomination batter away the Magimech. My heart swelled with concern as I saw the dented and broken power suit collapse the building it fell on. I had given them the order to fight that thing, but I had no time for guilt, I had to remain focused on the battle.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Then my best friend proved what a powerhouse he was as he shifted into his full battle form wrapped in flames as he barreled into the Eldritch Abomination. I had to trust he would handle the monster, allowing me to focus on the next biggest threat, Tek’tar. I jumped up to the platform the goblin chief stood on.

“Time to end this Tek’tar!” I roared.

Tek’tar laughed. “Puny huemon! You are no match for Tek’tar. You are only level 13 and have not even selected a class yet!”

I had to get Tek’tar to use whatever trump cards he had. I decided to taunt the goblin. “If I’m no match for you, then why did I ruin your ritual the first time you tried it?”

Rage spread over Tek’tar’s face. “YOU WERE THE ONE!” He roared as he slashed out with his staff.

I parried the blow but felt some kind of magic try to flow down my blade and latch onto my hand. I quickly shook it off and whatever it was fell right off me. Tek’tar did not look pleased at that as he kept swinging. Every so often I would feel that magic attempt to again take hold, only to fall right off me.

We traded blows back and forth. One thing I could say about Tek’tar is he did not skimp on his physical attributes. The buff goblin hit like a semi-truck every time I made the mistake of blocking instead of parrying his blows.

In fury, Tek’tar reached into his battle robes. “Fine you have forced me to use this! Consider it a compliment I find you worthy!” He withdrew a small totem and snapped it in half. A sickly green erupted from the totem and struck out at me. It was too close for me to dodge fully in time.

I was hit with the energy point blank, but my partial dodge prevented me from being knocked back. Instead, I hit the ground hard, and my Time Armor activated and negated the blow. I stood back up, dusted myself off, and wiped the blood from my busted nose. “That actually hurt. In the wise words of Ben Stiller, nobody makes me bleed my own blood.”

This seemed to infuriate Tek’tar even more. “Ahhh! How are you still alive!” The goblin chief charged me.

He almost knocked me off the platform we were fighting on from the sheer power of the blow I could only partially parry.

We continued to exchange blows. His staff had a sharp edge to the end, so Tek’tar was able to turn it at the last minute and cut me a few times. The goblin seemed to frown when I did not collapse in pain. My guess was he had some type of curse or poison on it.

Tek’tar withdrew another totem and immediately shattered it. “This time the magic didn’t hit me but rather it surrounded Tek’tar. “STOP!” The goblin called out and I paused involuntarily.

“Ha, ha, ha, ha! I temporarily have access to the words of power! You are mine to command! Nothing will stop me from claiming the Leyline Nexus! Nothing!” Tek’tar said in triumph.

His words triggered something in me. I could feel a vision pop into my mind unbidden. The world around me faded and I was floating far above, able to see the entire planet. Then I saw lines of magical power flow over the Earth, forming a network of various kinds of magic. The lines I instinctively knew to be leylines did not flow in a straight line or in the same direction. Some bent in certain places and where certain lines crossed, I knew to be a Leyline Nexus. Some of these points seemed to glow brighter than others.

A small handful seemed to flow to somewhere else, not of this world, connecting them to another plane of existence. Of those I saw that shone brightest less than a handful seemed to touch to a place beyond my current comprehension. Those few seemed to have a magical lock that anchored them in a way I could not understand.

That was when I realized one of the brightest nodes looked familiar. As the vision zoomed in, I soon understood why I thought I recognized it. The forest, the town nearby, what I was seeing was the compound. No, it was what was underneath the compound.

I felt a backhanded slap that knocked me to the ground and brought me out of the vision. Tek’tar was standing over me, a vicious grin spread on his face. That is when I felt the pain in my side. The bastard had cut me with his staff when I was lost to my vision. I hadn’t even felt it, not until I came too.

Apparently, my lack of response had pissed him off, so he used a body enhanced backhand that made my head hit the ground and bounce. That was either what brought me out of the vision, or I had understood what I was meant to. Somehow Paul found one of these special nexus points and built the compound over it. How he knew about it or figured out it was there I did not know but I knew I did not want this jerk to have it.

I winced in pain as every part of me ached or hurt. ‘Man, how hard can that guy hit?’

“That’s better! I want you to look me in the eyes when I kill you!” Tek’tar taunted.

A sudden commotion drew both our eyes. Laraaq was beaten and battered but he had managed to bite down on the amalgamation of heads that made up the Eldritch Abomination faces. Along with his claws, Laraaq bit down and pulled with all his might ripping the mound of flesh off and killing the Eldritch Abomination.

They both fell to the ground, abomination dead and starting to decompose as the Eldritch energy was an anathema to life in this world. Laraaq fell unconscious, flames going out has he reverted to his human form, buck naked as the day he was born.

Tek’tar turned back to me, rage in his eyes. “No matter, I will make another one from the corpses of you and your friends.” Then the goblin laughed at my inability to move. “Ha, ha, ha, ha! I shall enjoy killing you huemon!”

As he was about to impale me with the pointy end of his staff, I saw Gr’ex come out of nowhere. He, Tan’don, and Jek’jon were riding Lucile. Tan’don and Jek’jon were using their magic to keep the other goblin forces at bay, which allowed Gr’ex to focus his attacks on Tek’tar.

“That’s my huemon you ugly, wart-faced bastard!” Gr’ex roared as he and Lucile knocked Tek’tar off his feet.

“Ha, ha, ha! Die you good for nothing son of an Orc!” Gr’ex taunted as he cast his Curse of Agony at Tek’tar before Lucile’s momentum would require her to catch herself before they both were carried over the platform.

I saw the look of shock on Gr’ex’s face as the enemy chief moved his staff up as it intercepted the curse, flared a sickly green color, and flung the spell back at them. The spell magnified and hit Lucile and everyone riding her. Gr’ex, Tan’don, Jek’jon, and Lucile all howled in pain. Their bodies locked up as the momentum from the leap sent them crashing to the other side of the platform.

Tek’tar stood up and looked over at the fallen spider and my friend. “It is good you are still alive Gr’ex.” Tek’tar shook his head. “A shame you decided to side with the losing side Jek’jon. I never liked you anyway. Stay there and suffer as I kill off this huemon. Then I will deal with all of you! Maybe I’ll have roasted spider for dinner in celebration of my victory.”

My mind scrambled to think of a solution. These words of power Tek’tar had access to seem to have some command over me. Just as my mind thought that my consciousness fell into another vision. I was back floating in space.

This vision felt different. Half the cosmos disappeared in golden white light. I floated between the stars and golden white space.

“What am I doing here?” I cried out.

I hear two distinct laughs. “This is the one you have chosen as your successor, Chronos?”

“Yes! He is worthy!” Chronos stated.

“That remains to be seen. He did choose to take on the burden of Champion of his world, but he denied his salvation.” This disembodied voice said.

I recognized the voice from the weird dream I had when the apocalypse started. The voice of Chronos I instantly knew was the Primordial Celestial Dragon whose core I absorbed.

“He denied his salvation for a chance to save others.” Chronos commented.

“Umm I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m about to be turned into a giant kebob if we don’t hurry this up.” I said in a panic, knowing Tek’tar was only a few steps from me, and I hadn’t felt his first attack the last time I had a vision.

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Do you think the two of us cannot pause time to have a conversation with you? I was once called the god of time and space after all. Though I never really cared for that title. Mortals don’t really understand gods from God.” Chronos stated.

“And I always appreciated your understanding of the truth my old friend.” the disembodied voice said.

“Umm, I’m lost.” I commented.

“Of course, you have felt lost since you denied your own salvation, but you have not truly been lost.” The disembodied voice replied.

Chronos spoke up. “What do you know of faith?”

“That it is a power that can literally influence the world around you.” I answered.

“Yes, that is part of it. When many begin to believe the same thing, they give that thing power. This can give rise to minor entities of power; some call them gods. There are other beings who rise to the height of their power that helps them transcend their mortal coils. The Greek gods were such beings. I will not bore you with the details, but Pride makes them disconnect from the one true source, God with a capital G.”

“But what does that have to do with my situation right now? These words of power Tek’tar is using have commanded me to not move!” I lamented.

“It is important because there are things I can and cannot say. What I have told you so far are foundational truths you must hold on to as you will need them when the time comes.” Chronos explained.

“Did you just make a pun about time? Wait, how are you even here? I thought i absorbed you.” I groaned.

“Hmmm, that was not intentional. Yes, you absorbed almost all of me. I held this last spark of my existence for this exact moment. When you truly master time, you will understand more than you can imagine currently. You see I was given the Dark Mantle as part of my charge. It’s true power is in the authority it grants you over the Dark and the creatures there.” Chronos explained.

“I know that. I have used it several times before.” I replied.

“No! You do not understand, it grants you authority over all that is the Dark! I can say no more until you begin to truly understand.” Chronos stated.

What was he trying to tell me? A dear friend of mine wrote a book on true authority and how it comes from God. True authority cannot be taken from you by anyone other than the one who granted it to you. If God gave Chronos the Dark Mantle he was giving him authority over the Dark, but how did that help me now? Then the realization hit me like an explosion, and I blurted out the answer.

“No one can command me or use the Dark against me since I possess true authority over that power. I have been denying my authority out of the fear and jealousy it instills in others.”

“You shall keep the authority over the Dark. As a result of this moment, you may one day come to be one with the Dark and side with those who have fallen. If you do choose that path the Light will forever be in opposition to your designs.” The disembodied voice proclaimed.

There was no malice or threat, just stating a simple fact and outcome.

“Now comes the fun part!” Chronos exclaimed.

“Uh, fun part?” I hesitantly asked.

Chronos continued to explain. “To protect the authority of Time and Space, my power was split into two. Part of my power, the Infinite Well of Time Magic was locked in an artifact that looked like a simple magic book. I used the disguise of a wolf known as Valaxia to hide its true purpose. Someone has already claimed the Infinite Well of Time Magic. However, I held back this last spark of myself. You shall have authority over time, only the one with the Infinite Well of Time Magic will be outside your awareness. Forgive the pun, but it will take you many years to comprehend what is about to happen. If I could tell you more I would.”

There was a pause and when Chronos next spoke I realized he was talking to the disembodied voice. “I chose this one to impart my authority over Time and Space that you gave me so long ago. This soul, this mind, and spirit is the one I CHOOSE AS MY SUCCESSOR!”

“SO AGREED!”

I felt the cosmos itself rush into me until there was only the golden light left around me.

“The path you are undertaking...” the disembodied voice paused and said nothing for a few moments. “You must use both your mind and intuition only when you are whole and are ready shall we meet again.”

“But you are my intuition, aren’t you? Or at least you are connected to it.” I commented.

“Wise beyond your years. I weep for the hardships you and your world will endure.”

There was a flash of light so bright I shut my eyes. When I opened them, I saw Tek’tar exactly the same distance from me as before. ‘Good no time has passed. Time to do this.’

I released my tight hold on my Dark Mantle ability. The moment I did, the chains I felt wrapped around my will shattered into nothing and I stood up and took a step toward the goblin chief.

Tek’tar stopped mid-stride, horror on his face. “No! That’s not possible! I command you to STOP!”

I took another step forward, not even feeling the effects. If only I had released my Dark Mantle earlier. Tek’tar stood there in shock unsure what to do. He had never heard of anyone not submitting to the words of power, especially one so low leveled.

“Command me? I TAKE COMMANDS FROM NO ONE! I AM THE ONE WITH THE AUTHORITY HERE!” I roared as I fully released my power.

The whole battlefield stopped. The jarring effects from my Dark Mantle woke Laraaq and Jennifer from their unconsciousness. I heard Laraaq say, “Oh man, I’m naked. You there give me your pants, that’s an order!”

A notification with gold bordered and bold lettering popped into my vision. I instantly read the information.

Congratulations! The Primordial Celestial Dragon Chronos, also known as the god of Time and Space, has named you, their Successor! Your Dark Mantle ability is fully unlocked. You have received part of the Mantle of Time and Space. As this is incomplete you are not granted an ability but your control over Time and Space Magic has greatly increased. Please Note: You may want to kill the one that holds the Infinite Well of Time Magic to fully gain this authority.

Another prompt appeared in front of my vision.

In order to receive the full inheritance from Chronos you must be in your true dragon form. Do you wish to shift back into your dragon form? Yes, or No?

“You know what, yes!” I said out loud as I accepted the prompt.

My clothes ripped and I instantly grew almost twelve meters tall. This was the first time I was finally able to see myself in my dragon form. I glistened golden white with wing membranes that looked like star filled night.

I began to feel energy pour into me. Before my body could lock up, I reached down, picked up Tek’tar and bit his head off.

Then I felt power flood into me and my Divine Infinitum. I dropped the corpse as my body began to freeze and lost all focus of the outside world. I instantly understood why I had to be in this form. The influx of power was so intense I feared it might burn out my channels. My eyes began to glow, and I roared so loud it echoed for miles.

RROOAARRR!!!!!

Every single living being for miles stopped and turned in my direction. Little did I know this caused quite a stir at the compound. Every goblin regardless of what side they were on immediately dropped to their knees in supplication.

Laraaq finished putting on pants he had taken from one of the soldiers who was too shocked to move or respond. “Of course, he’s a dragon. If anyone would become a dragon it’s Shadowalker.” Laraaq just chuckled, happy for his brother as he knew how much Shadowalker loved dragons. “Huh? Now we both have an awesome form to wreak havoc with.”

Once the wave of power had passed and I had control over my body again I looked around. I realized I had grown larger or everything else shrunk. Seeing everyone stunned completing unmoving, all the goblins bowing in supplication, I realized I couldn’t remain in this form. I shifted back into human form.

I too was completely naked. Luckily, Laraaq had acquired another pair of pants for me to put on. “Thanks, brother!”

“Of course, looks like you and I are going to have to keep extra pairs of pants on hand for when we go full beast mode.” Laraaq commented.

“Good point! We should talk to Hal’ex about seeing what her Death Weavers can make.” I replied when I heard Gr’ex coming to the platform.

“YOU ARE AN ANCIENT DRAGON!” Gr’ex said in exasperation.

“Yep.” I answered.

“This whole time... wait that’s the core you got?!” Gr’ex said as he realized how I ended up as a dragon.

“Yep. Pretty cool race change, huh?” I said with a huge smile on my face.

“Luckiest son of...” Gr’ex started to say before Hal’ex was there on her undead mobile chair creature. She popped Gr’ex on the head. “Do not be rude to someone who could’ve just eaten me or still might.”

“Gr’ex rubbed his head. “Sorry grandmother.”

Mek’mar bowed in front of me. “Ancient one. What are your orders regarding the Bone Marrow clan?”

Gr’ex clarified for my understanding. “You killed their chief, by rights you are their new Warchief.”

“Not sure I can trust them after...” I started to say before Jek’jon politely spoke up. “My apologies for interrupting you Dark One, but after your display...” Jek’jon waved to the still bowing goblins. “They will follow you unto death as many of us will.”

“They will need a new chief to handle things and coordinate with.” I smiled at Gr’ex. It was time to reward his loyalty for stepping in to save me at the last minute. “Gr’ex, you decide on who their new chief will be. Regardless of who it is, they work through you as my right hand in all things related to our goblin people.”

Gr’ex’s grind was practically ear to ear as he rubbed his hands together in glee. “I know just the goblin for the job.”