CHAPTER FIFTEEN: DARKNESS AND LIGHT

Vlad soars quickly through the sky, avoiding many monstrous enemies along the way. He lands to the right of the towering castle of the Dark Lord that seems to reach past the stars and returns to his normal form, “Why did we land here?” I ask quietly.

“I came to this tower long ago, but only I know the secret passageway to the top floor, warpgate magic that is long forgotten, it will take us to the final battle.” Vlad runs his hand along the stone carvings in the wall and chants a spell.

“What about your wife?” The stone carvings glow a light-purple color.

“I will save her once we cut off the head of the Dark Lord.” A spiraling portal appears and he draws his sword, “Whatever we may face, I will fight alongside you until the very end.”

“Aye let's fight hard then!” Nova I will see you soon. We both rush through the portal, ready to save the kingdom.

We arrive in a empty hall, there is nobody on the throne. It's very quiet as the two of us walk with our weapons drawn.

A mage appears out of nowhere, “Feint! Feint! Feint!” I teleport behind him before he can react and shove the Greatsword through his body. A ball of dark energy floats from his body and hovers near me.

I try to focus but my vision is blurry, as if I'm looking through glass. What is this feeling? I can't feel my body, “Vl...Vlad why?” His sword is poking through my stomach. I'm high in the air, this isn't how I was supposed to die.

“Do you really think I would betray the Dark Lord?” Vlad lets out a ghoulish laugh.

The necklace Deus Ex Machina gave me glows a violet color as blood falls like a river from my mouth onto the floor. A black orb floats out of my mouth and spins with the other orb to create a portal. Deus Ex Machina walks through with Nova standing next to him, “It seems as if the ritual was successful.” Steam flows out of his nostrils, I am standing beside him healed now.

“Who are you?!” Vlad yells, black energy surging around him.

“He is the true Dark Lord.” A tall slender woman clad in black armor with long black horns appears next to Vlad and bows to Deus, “My love, it seems your revival was complete. There was an Umbra clone at the forest who protected the four. He will be here shortly.”

“My lord!” Vlad bows, “Revival? What do you mean?”

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“Nova what's wrong? An Umbra clone?” Her face is blank and unchanging, “Nova?”

“Not yet my love, but soon, very soon.” Deus changes form into a tall muscular man whose skin is covered in rune symbols, “Umbra I have to thank you. You played right into my plan, but it seems that you and Nova forgot who you fight for.” My body won't move.

“What do you mean?” I am stuck in place.

“Two weak Adventurers wandering through the forest at night, being chased by Wererabbits, who instead of dying chose to make a deal with a vampyric dark magician, that was my master. Haven't you ever wondered why your hair is red? The sign of a Dark Elf, and Nova's fangs? Do you understand how many rivers of blood you two have spilled? Have drunk. You left me to die in that field and said I volunteered to help but you knocked me unconscious! I was saved by a dark magician who taught me the ways of evil. You left Eva to die when she tripped over a root, but I saved her and we stand here before you today to destroy everyone you love.” I struggle to move as he holds a knife to Nova's neck.

“It is you Juzo! How did you send me to the past? This doesn't make sense!” As much as I struggle I can't lift a single finger.

“There are many different worlds connected to this tower, some are exact copies of this world, I merely sent you to a world with a similar timeline and used the potion to clone myself here as well. You were my pawn all along you fool! I will show you true despair! You don't deserve happiness!” He laughs evilly and holds his hand towards me, “Mind Control!” The dark glow of his hand makes the necklace glow and puts my mind in a trance. I can't control my body.

“Summon Allies!” I say, using a spell I didn't know existed. No! No I can't do this! Emma, Embra, Emduk, Embal, Desthro, and Emdul appear but are trapped in black spheres. They yell and try to break out but are unable to. I grip my sword but try to fight it, I can't control myself, “All hail the Dark Lord.” I whisper and slowly push my Greatsword through each one of their bodies, the frightened and pained faces I can't escape for I am forced to watch as I slaughter my loved ones. The orb sinks into their skin and they stand still in a line, their eyes a light violet color. Desthro takes the form of a ice werewolf and Emdul turns into a tall mage with dark orbs hovering around him. Juzo holds his hand toward Vlad who mindlessly walks in line with the others.

“Great job Umbra! Vlad was a mere pawn as well and as the old Dark Lord of this realm he cannot remain alive. Now for the love of your life.” Juzo motions with his hand and as much as I try to I can't stop myself. My blade sinks into the middle of her body, the violet eyes return to red as she gasps and chokes on her blood.

“My love...I wasn't strong...enough.” She slowly whispers, rubbing her hand on my cheek.

“I'm so sorry, I will find you wherever you may go in the afterlife. I will follow you!” I wrap my arms around her, “Do it love.”

“How did you break my mind control!? It doesn't matter anyway! You will die along with Nova!” He laughs hysterically.

“My love.” I kiss Nova, “Infinity Barrier! Do it Nova! The Final Step Supernova!”

I use all of my mana to create a sphere of infinite barriers around Nova, Eva, Juzo and myself. It is a last resort skill, but then again this is a last resort, “Nooooo!” Juzo attempts to break through but can't.

“Noooo it won't break!” Eva is shooting a volley of purple projectiles.

“Good...bye… my love…..I..love...you…. Final….Step...Super...Nova!” I wrap my arms around her, the smell of her hair like dead roses, I missed her so much. I will leave with her to the next plane of existence, wherever that may be.

“Juzo, Eva. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough! I'm sorry I was a coward, but the Umbra of this realm has protected you, the four are coming up. They will fix everything, this is what my clone has told me.” I sigh as Eva and Juzo hold each other. They stare in silence then look away. I guess nothing has to be said, I don't deserve their forgiveness. Oh well. I kiss Nova's forehead as a blinding white light envelops us.

The white orb of the barrier disappears, and silence fills the hall. Vlad and the others remain motionless. A summoning spell of runes on the floor glows and a portal appears. Deus Ex Machina walks through, “Good timing Clone Juzo. Guess I have to do everything myself. All of you get to the lower dungeons! We have company coming soon.” His form changes to Juzo with runes as he turns around and takes a deep breath. The group vanishes, “Summon Grimgar Ex Battle Axe Clones!” He holds his hand up and from the ground appear an army of Grimgar the Terrible holding large battle axes. Juzo walks through them to the throne with his helmet under his arm and Greatsword on his back.

He turns around and smirks, “You can't do this!” Clone Umbra screams as Juzo puts his helmet on and sits down.