Legacy

The midday sun had perched itself above the castle of the Nova of the north. Unlike those of the other holy leaders, the Nova of the north’s castle was of a size that would have made even the wealthiest of kings envious. But even in all its grandeur, the castle was less complete than others, as a portion of its roof was missing. The gaping hole was centered directly above the throne room, allowing the sun to bathe the room in light.

As was customary for that time of day, the Nova was seated upon her throne. It was made of the purest gold and twice the size of an average throne. And the robe that the Nova wore was of a white so brilliant that it practically radiated.

“There’s no need for you to continue hiding in the shadows,” she said. “I’ve known you were here from the moment you crossed my threshold. So why don’t you come into the light where I can better see you? That is, if you’re not afraid.”

Shadow Kahn stepped out from an oddly placed patch of shadows in the corner and to the edge of the sunlight. “Do you really think that I fear the light?” he asked. “You seem to have forgotten that I once walked in the same light as you.”

Outside, the soldiers Andrew had sent to protect the Nova lay in a heap. They had been no match for their unstoppable foe.

“I take it you’ve come here seeking retribution for the actions that were taken against you,” said the Nova. “Isn’t that right, Kenneth?”

“I no longer go by that name. You will address me as . . .”

“I will address you by whatever name that I deem fit,” said the Nova, cutting off Shadow Kahn. “Now, I’m well aware of your recent exploits, and I must say, you have been busy. But that all comes to an end now. For there is no place in this world for someone like you. So I’m afraid I can no longer allow you to exist.”

“Oh, but there is a place in this world for someone like me,” said Shadow Kahn. “The fact that I even exist is proof of that. This depraved world has for centuries yearned for someone to set if free from its misery. And that is why I am here.”

The Nova began laughing. “And who are you to judge man? ‘Tis not the place of a mere mortal to pass judgment?”

“Then pray tell. Whose place is it?”

“Only our God may pass judgment.”

A grin appeared on Shadow Kahn’s face. “I am God.”

“Enough!” exclaimed the Nova. The mere raising of her voice was all that it took to send a powerful force slamming into Shadow Kahn. Had he been a normal man, Shadow Kahn surely would have been torn to shreds by its sheer strength. But the force that struck him did little more than ruffle a few of the hairs upon his head.

“So, the stories they tell about you are more than mere fables,” said Shadow Kahn. “There is something different about you.”

“I could say the same about you,” said the Nova. She then removed herself from the throne and made her way to the opposite edge of the light. “I was trying to take your head off. But it would seem that I failed.”

“If you want to kill me, then you will have to do far better than that.”

The group had returned to their journey after spending the rest of the night in a makeshift shelter made of leafy branches and mud.

The green of the forest looked a more vibrant shade after its cleansing and not a cloud could be found in a now pristine blue sky. The beauty of the newborn day gave them hope that things could possibly turn in their favor.

After a few hours into the latest leg of their journey, the group could see the Nova of the north’s castle in the distance. They were so close to their destination now that they felt as if there was absolutely nothing that could stand in their way.

Shadow Kahn stepped into the light pouring in from the roof. He did this to show the Nova of the north that he was unfazed by removing himself from his beloved darkness. But after only a short time, his arrogant aura changed.

“I take it the light is not to your liking,” said the Nova.

“A little pain is a small price to pay when one is given the opportunity to do away with the only stumbling block left in their path,” replied Shadow Kahn.

“Then by all means,” said the Nova, “do away with me.”

Even surrounded by light, a darkness began forming around Shadow Kahn. It attempted to expand to a larger size but the light refused to allow such a thing to happen. It fought back and kept the darkness confined to only a small area around Shadow Kahn.

When the Nova spread her arms, the light shining in grew in radiance.

“Look,” shouted Aiko, pointing at the sun.

But there had been no need for Aiko to make her announcement, as the others had seen for themselves the peculiar event taking place. The sun had begun to pulsate and looked to be of a much larger size than usual.

“What’s going on?” asked Jaycee.

The ground began to shake so violently that Jaycee was sent falling into James. Aiko lost her balance as well and fell to the ground before Archer could catch her.

The trembling of the outside world could do nothing to match how violently the Nova’s castle was shaking. Unable to withstand such power, large portions were beginning to crumble, and if things continued to play themselves out as they were, there would soon be nothing left of the grand structure.

“There is no darkness that can block out such a light,” said the Nova. The pressure that was raining down upon the room would have been more than enough to flatten any normal human being, but the battle that was taking place was being waged by the two most powerful entities within the world of the living, and mere crushing pressure would do little to them.

With his head lowered and his body perfectly still, it looked as if Shadow Kahn was unable to counter the attack. It seemed as if he could do little more than stand his ground. “I was told to wait before doing this,” he said. “I was told to bide my time until I was ready. Well, whether the time be right or not, we are about to find out.” When Shadow Kahn raised his head, his eyes were of the darkest shade of black.

The blinding light entering through the roof abruptly returned to a normal level and the crushing pressure that came with it dissipated. The shaking that had nearly brought the castle down also came to an end, bringing about an uneasy calm.

“I see,” said the Nova. “So your power comes from the same darkness that has inhabited this world since its inception. Feeding off the suffering and pain of the mortals. Perhaps at another time your power would not have been unmatched. Perhaps I would have been able to best you, but not even I have such power.”

Shadow Kahn faced the palm of his hand toward the floor, prompting a ball of what could best be described as darkness to begin forming in it. “How ironic it is that I would use the very hatred that the mortals have for one another to rid this world of them,” he said. His body then began to tremble terribly, as the price for summoning such a thing was a heavy one. “If only they had learned to coexist. Now they have no one to blame for this but themselves.”

“It is my duty to protect this world and everything within it,” said the Nova. “No matter what the cost. So prepare yourself for oblivion.”

With what they assumed to be only a temporary calm presenting itself, the group made a mad dash for the castle. They knew the events taking place were related to something that was happening inside, and if they wanted to stop it, then time was against them.

“You must die for your sins once again,” exclaimed the Nova. “But there will be no coming back for you this time.”

The light shining down once again intensified.

“How foolish,” said Shadow Kahn. “To think that a light exists that can save you once Hell’s Fury has been awoken. You really have forfeited the right to exist.”

When Shadow Kahn faced the ball of darkness toward the Nova, it badly dimmed the light shining down. So volatile was the interaction between darkness and light that it created an explosion of energy so tremendous that it reduced the Nova’s castle to nothing but rubble.

When the shock wave reached James and the others, it knocked them completely off their feet, leaving them all badly dazed.

After taking some time to collect themselves, the group continued to what remained of the Nova’s once grand castle.

“What could have caused this?” asked Jaycee.

“I don’t know how it happened,” said Archer, “but one thing’s for sure. Whoever was in this castle couldn’t have survived an explosion of that size.”

There was no body of a divine holy leader among the rubble nor was there the body of a man hell bent on bringing about the end of mankind. Little did the group know that the body of a supernatural being never remained in the world of the living. For once they had expired, nary a trace was ever left behind.

“Do you think . . . he was here?” asked Aiko.

“I’m sure of it,” replied James.

“Does that mean it’s over?” asked Jaycee.

“Yes . . . it’s over.” Despite what he had just said, James couldn’t help but think that he might not have actually witnessed the dramatic conclusion to the most malevolent man to ever walk the face of the Earth. Part of him believed things were only just beginning.