Legacy

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

“What is it that compelled you to wait so long?” asked Shadow Kahn, his gaze fixed upon the center of the room. “Did you really think that I would have been stopped before this day could come? Is your kind really that naïve?”

In the blink of an eye, the woman in white appeared in the spot where Shadow Kahn had so intently been staring.

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

“Be cautious 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 the world? You were the only mistake that I ever made. So now is the time for that mistake to be eradicated.”

“If not for that so called mistake, we never would have made our beautiful son.”

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

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

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

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

A sudden force hit the woman, destroying what remained of her wings and tearing off her blindfold to reveal her dazzling blue eyes.

“What have you done?” asked the woman.

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

“How dare you.”

“Fear not,” said Shadow Kahn. “For the life of a mortal is most fleeting.” And with that, a spear thrust from the shadows and drove itself into the woman’s stomach, sending her to her knees and gasping desperately for breath.

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

Before entering the castle, James addressed the others. “This is my fight,” he told them. “If you choose not to follow me, I'll understand.”

“I won’t leave you,” said Jaycee.

“This isn’t just your fight,” said Archer. “It became our fight a long time ago. Only a coward would turn his back on a comrade in need.”

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

It took the collective strength of all four to open the tremendous door to gain entrance into the castle. And once the four were inside, the door slammed itself shut, ensuring that no one would be escaping from the horrible fortress.

“Oh my God,” gasped Jaycee.

The others were just as horrified as Jaycee when they discovered what it was that had frightened her so. Hanging high upon the wall before them was a large wooden cross. And upon the cross was nailed a man. His wrists had been penetrated by steel spikes as were his legs. But the most disturbing thing about what they were looking at was that the man nailed to the cross had not the head of a man, but that of a goat.

“What is this?” gasped Aiko.

The man upon the cross suddenly began attempting to free himself from captivity. The cries that burst from him came more from beast than man.

“This is too much,” whispered Aiko, making a move for the door. To her dismay, she found the door was no longer there.

A door beneath the abomination opened. Wanting badly to distance themselves from the horrific sight, the four made no hesitation before venturing through.

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

“Do we really have to find our way through here?” asked Archer.

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

“Then let’s go,” said James.

Jaycee clasped tightly onto James’ hand.

“So which way do we go?” asked Aiko, still staring at the spot where the door had been. After not receiving a reply, she turned around only to find the others were gone. All that was set before her was a seemingly endless maze.

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

Had Jaycee not taken James’ hand, the same fate surely would have befallen her. But even together, the two were still very much alone.

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

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

Sage said nothing as he gazed into his master’s eyes.

“I take it you saw something not to your liking.”

“I saw what you did to those men,” said Sage, his gaze focused on the floor.

“They were delusional,” said Shadow Kahn, making his way over. “They put their faith in a man. And no man can ever be your God. So why follow one?”

“Even you, my lord?”

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

“I saw it,” said Sage.

“You saw what?”

Sage met eyes with his master. “My creation.”

“And you were confused by what you saw.”

“I’m not confused about a thing,” said Sage, drawing his sword. “I always had the feeling that I was nothing but a surrogate for you. A stand-in until your real son returned to your side. But after witnessing that, all my doubts are gone. Was it not enough to be what I was? Did you have to lie to me about my past?”

“How would you have felt had you known the truth? You should be thanking me. I gave you a life. I made you real. Did you ever feel different?”

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

“I strongly urge you to reconsider.”

“Then tell me I’m wrong,” said Sage. “Tell me that what I saw wasn’t real.”

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

“Why him? Was there nothing better?”

“One can not create life from nothing.”

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

“Then your decision is final?” asked Shadow Kahn. “Nothing I say is going to change your mind? If that is so, then make no more hesitation, my loyal Sage.”

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

Looking back into his master’s eyes, Sage saw for the first time what looked like something other than anger and hate. There was almost sadness in them.

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

Shadow Kahn placed his hand on Sage’s shoulder.

“Once you have what you want, I’m merely going to be cast aside,” said Sage. “I know that. And I won’t allow it to happen. I won’t force you to choose between us. Because I know the choice was made long before my first breath was ever drawn. I won’t change the way I feel. Not even for you, my lord.”

“Then so be it,” said Shadow Kahn. “Let this act be testament that upon deaf ears your wishes do not fall. No matter how far it deviates from my own, I will not deny you your final request.” Removing his hand from Sage’s shoulder was enough to reduce the young man back to 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 a speck in his hand remaining of Sage’s existence, Shadow Kahn clenched a feeble fist. “There was always going to be a place in my new world for you,” he said. “I was never going to neglect you . . . my loyal Sage.”

Having lost track of just how long he had been wandering the seemingly never ending maze, Archer came to the conclusion that he and the others were probably going to spend the rest of their lives in the demented labyrinth. He was sure there was no way out. And he was sure that the others were just as far from finding escape as he was.

“Can anyone hear me?” shouted Archer. “James, Jaycee, Aiko, are any of you out there? Somebody, say something!”

Once the echoes had died, there was nothing but silence.

Archer’s defeatist mindset changed when he came upon a door. On the other side was a hallway. It was more narrow than the maze but made of the same red stone. Having no desire to find another way out, Archer ventured inside.

Each step Archer took created an unsettling echo in the cramped space. And it worried him to think he might be alerting something of his impending arrival.

Shortly into the latest leg of his journey, Archer could hear something other than his own footsteps. It was faint but Archer could hear the distinct sound of dripping water. And as he ventured further, the sound got louder.

Archer was startled when he came upon the source. It was blood that was dripping from the ceiling, and it was dripping into an already sizable puddle on the floor.

“What is this?” gasped Archer.

Not wanting to watch such a bizarre occurrence as blood dripping from a stone ceiling, Archer continued on his way. But he would be stopped dead in his tracks when the sound of dripping became more rapid. Archer’s heart began to race when he witnessed the blood start to pour from the ceiling at an alarming rate.

Once the blood had stopped pouring down, a far greater horror took place. A head made of rich crimson began to emerge from the puddle. Its mouth was agape, as if in the middle of a silent, but still very horrific, scream. And with each moment that passed, more of the gruesome creature began to emerge.

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

Though he wanted to flee, Archer was unable to look away from the grisly spectacle before him. And it wasn’t before long when the creature had completely emerged from the puddle, its featureless face directed at Archer.

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

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

The creature was slow but it reached the room sooner than Archer had expected. It tried to gain entry, but was unable to get through a locked door.

Any feeling of relief Archer was feeling was quickly quelled when blood began to seep in under the door and through numerous cracks. Archer knew it wouldn’t be long before the blood was completely inside the room.

Scanning the room hoping to find something that could help him, Archer noticed a light coming from behind a bookshelf. Pulling it away from the wall, Archer discovered another door. When he opened it, he was hit immediately by a searing heat.

Fastened to the wall outside was a bridge hanging high above a bubbling red liquid. The bridge was little more than worn wooden planks and a series of even more worn out ropes. If Archer could manage to make his way across, another door awaited.

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

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

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

Despite their worn appearance, the ropes were far stronger than Archer had anticipated. This gave the blood ample time to close in on him.

When the first rope finally gave way, the bridge shook so violently that Archer was sure he was going to fall from his precarious perch. But with such a tight grip on the other rope, he was able to keep himself from falling.

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

Archer’s cutting became more frantic the closer the creature got. “Cut, damn you,” he exclaimed. “Cut!” With the growing ferocity with which the bridge began to sway, Archer knew he was close to severing the second rope.

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

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

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

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

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

Once Aiko had gone deeper into the room, the door slammed shut.

“That happens way too often,” said Aiko.

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

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

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

“Why do I not believe that?”

“It doesn’t matter what you believe. All you need to know is, you’re going to die now. You’re going to die a very slow and very painful death.”

“It’ll take a lot more than you.”

“Then let’s give her what she wants, sister,” said a voice similar to Mika’s.

“Who was that?” asked Aiko, scanning the room.

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

Mika crouched to present a perfect replica of herself standing behind her.

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

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

“Are you two cows finished arguing?” asked Aiko.

“What did you call us?” asked Mika.

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

“I couldn’t agree with you more.”

Mina then took her place in front of Mika.

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

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

“Did you hear that, sister?” asked Mina.

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

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

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

The sisters began circling Aiko like predators sizing up their prey.

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

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

The sisters again attacked. Initially Aiko was able to evade all of her opponents’ attacks. But with a foe attacking from the front and the back, her defense was eventually penetrated, forcing her to separate herself from the sisters.

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

“That sounds like a challenge,” said Mina.

During the next barrage, Mina was able to land a kick to Aiko’s ribs that was so powerful that Aiko was sure it had broken one of them. But to not allow Mina the satisfaction of knowing she had been wounded, Aiko refrained from clutching at her battered body. The look of pain, however, was enough to show Mina that she had weakened her foe.

Mina began laughing. “Wrong again, sister,” she said. “I kicked her much harder than you did. Just look at her. She’s fighting back tears.”

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

“Think you can do better?” asked Mina.

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

“Well done, sister. Now what?”

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

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

“You’re not finished with me yet,” said Aiko, her voice little more than a whisper. With a noticeable tremble in her body, Aiko got back to her feet.

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

“Neither of you is better than me.”

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

“There’s one thing I can do better than you,” said Aiko. When Mika drew close enough, Aiko kicked her in the face. “I can fake being hurt better than you.”

“Little bitch,” said Mika, clutching at her now bleeding nose. “So you were only feigning your injuries? Then we have no choice but to stop playing.”

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

“I don’t know,” said Aiko. “Your sister had a much more pained look on her face after I beat her up. Maybe we should give you another chance.”

The insult was enough to provoke the sisters to attack. Having already worked once, they again attacked from the front and the back. In her weakened state, Aiko was unable to fight off both. After absorbing numerous blows, Aiko was sent to the floor in a heap.

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

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

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

As the sisters argued, Aiko realized that no matter how badly one sister beat her, the other would inevitably come up with something to best her.

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

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

“After you, my lovely sister,” said Mina.

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

Just as Mika 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 from claiming the prize.

“How dare you,” exclaimed Mika before joining the chase.

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

Mika was unable to narrow the gap between she and the others. “I don’t know how this proves anything,” she said. “You both started before I did. How does this prove that either of you is faster than me? You’re both cheaters.”

Even with the distance between herself and the wall shrinking, Aiko did nothing to slow herself. She appeared as if she was going to run full speed into it.

“Better think quick, little girl,” said Mina.

When she reached the wall, Aiko planted her foot on it and performed a flawless back flip. What made her move all the more elegant was that Aiko was able to shift her body so that when she landed she was now facing opposite the wall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

To ensure neither sister was playing possum to get the drop on her, Aiko backed her 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 with yet another foe. “Don’t tell me there’s three of you,” she said. When she turned around, Aiko found Shadow Kahn. “It’s you.”

“Were you expecting someone else?”

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

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

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

Aiko’s response was to strike Shadow Kahn in the face. Knowing she had now passed the point of no return, Aiko had no choice but to continue attacking. Such ferocity was there behind the assault that what little energy she had left quickly depleted.

“Have you had your fill?” asked Shadow Kahn.

Having pushed herself to near exhaustion, Aiko hadn’t the energy to answer.

Shadow Kahn grabbed Aiko by the throat and lifted her off the floor. Aiko tried as best she could to remove the hand, but her captor’s grasp was unbreakable.

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

“I never turned my back on him,” said a now teary eyed Aiko.

“How admirable.”

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

“There are so many noble ways a person can die. Unfortunately, you will not be dying one of those deaths.” And with that, Shadow Kahn crushed Aiko’s throat. Her lifeless body being of no use to him, Shadow Kahn tossed it to the floor and took his leave.

James and Jaycee were having no luck escaping the maze. Just when it felt as if they were close to finding a way out, they quickly realized they were no closer to their freedom than they had been at the beginning of their ordeal.

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

James listened for what it was that Jaycee had heard. And that was when he heard the same growling sound he had heard the night his parents were taken from him. But the direction from which it was coming was unknown.

What started off as one soon became many. It had become painfully obvious that James and Jaycee were now surrounded.

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

“Let’s go,” said James, taking Jaycee by the hand. The two then began a mad sprint. But no matter how fast they ran, the two couldn’t escape the growls.

It would soon be discovered, though, that not being able to distance themselves from the growls was the least of their problems.

One unfortunate turn led James and Jaycee to a dead end. But once the two had found themselves unable to go any further, the growling stopped. And in its place emerged the sound of approaching footsteps.

Shadow Kahn emerged, prompting James to draw his sword.

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

“You heartless murderer,” said James. “How could you?”

“To which instance are you referring? The untimely demise of those claiming to be your parents . . . or the eradication of mankind?”

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

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

“Don’t you ever say that again. You are not my father. At one time in history, that might have been true, but you’re the furthest thing from 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’re nothing to me,” exclaimed James. “Is that why you killed my parents? Because in your twisted mind I was still your son?”

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

“You’re a demon!”

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

“Why them? Why not me? I’m the one you wanted to punish. Isn't that right? 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 is why I need you. You will reign over this world as its king, while I watch over it as its God. Is that still not enough to convince you?”

“I’ll never join you.”

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

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

“Let me put this in terms that you can better understand. The only reason you were sent here was to bring an end to me, though it was such a misguided thing for them to do. They thought I would never be able to 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 become of you? Do you think you will be allowed to live this life that never should have existed? Look at it this way, James. If I exist, you exist, if I disappear, you disappear. You need me more than you could ever imagine. As does this world. For I am the only one who can repair the damage that has been done to it. So, are you still so eager to bring about my downfall?”

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

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

Facing the palm of his hand toward James, Shadow Kahn conjured a ball of blue light. “I do regret having to do this,” he said. “But if you refuse to join me, then I have no choice but to force you. It will come as a surprise when you find just how easily your spirit is broken once you come back from the dead.” Shadow Kahn then focused on Jaycee. “But as for you, my dear, you are not going to be as fortunate. For this is where your journey comes to an end. If you wish to say goodbye, then this would be the time to do so.”

James sheathed his sword.

“Finally coming to your senses?” asked Shadow Kahn.

Before James could give his reason, Archer leaped from the top of the maze wall and captured Shadow Kahn in his grasp, pinning his arms. Even though the spell was in its infancy, it still caused Archer a great amount of pain.

“Archer,” gasped James.

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

“You can’t,” said Jaycee.

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

“You would be correct,” said Shadow Kahn.

Archer gave James and Jaycee a nod as they made their escape.

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

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

“You poor fool.” And with that, Shadow Kahn’s spell exploded, reducing Archer to nothing more than mangled bits and pieces.

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

“Can the venom that courses through a serpent turn against its host?” asked Shadow Kahn. “It was quite naïve of you to think your strategy would actually bear fruit. You sacrificed your life for absolutely nothing.”

Having taken his parting shot at the fallen warrior, Shadow Kahn began his departure. But after only a few steps, he brought his progress to a halt. For blood had begun to seep from a wound on Shadow Kahn’s head and was now running down his face.

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

With an ominous creak, the doors opened by themselves.

There was nothing but darkness inside the room. But that did nothing to deter James and Jaycee from venturing inside.

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

James and Jaycee made their way closer.

Shadow Kahn made nary a move, his head lowered.

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

“And then there were two,” said Shadow Kahn.

“Aiko?” whispered Jaycee.

“You should be quite proud of yourselves. But all adulation aside. Do you know what a father must do when a disobedient child refuses to obey him?”

“Stop calling yourself my father,” demanded James.

Shadow Kahn raised his head to meet eyes with James. “He must resort to very drastic measures to ensure the end of such behavior.”

From out of nowhere appeared the woman in white. But unlike before, her clothing was now of the darkest shade of black, including her silken blindfold. Shackles hanging from the ceiling had ensnared her by the wrists, leaving her to dangle in midair.

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

“I brought her back to life. And I dressed her in black because the color far better suits her now. And what I want now is for you to kill her.”

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

As if in response to James’ refusal, streaks of electricity began to ravage the woman, producing the most horrendous of screams.

“What are you doing?” asked James. “Stop!”

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

“What?” asked James.

“You heard what I said.”

The woman in black was left limp and motionless from the attack.

“Please excuse my poor memory,” said Shadow Kahn. “But since you refused to accept me as your father, then you have no choice but to refuse her as your mother.”

“There's no way,” said James.

“Since you reject this woman, then you have no ties to her,” said Shadow Kahn. “Which means you must allow her to accept her fate. From this moment on, her life will be a never ending nightmare. No matter how much agony her body is forced to endure, death will not spare her. She will exist only to be a vessel for pain and suffering.”

Streaks of electricity again ravaged the woman. The screams that burst from her seemed even more horrific than the ones that had come before.

“Stop!” exclaimed James.

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

A trembling James drew his sword.

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

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

When he had reached a suitable distance from which to strike, James was attacked by the electricity. It was unbearably painful, but James refused to flee.

“James!” screamed Jaycee.

“Stay back,” shouted James. With precious little time before he succumbed to the pain, James knew he had to take action. “Please forgive me,” he said. And with that, he ran his sword through his mother’s chest, bringing about the most horrible scream of all.

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

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

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

Seeing her son for the first time in so many years, James’ mother couldn’t help but smile. “What a handsome man you’ve become,” she said, placing her hand upon James’ face. With blood on her hands, she inadvertently stained James’ face red.

“Why didn’t you tell me who you were?”

“It was forbidden. One could call it punishment for the life I led. Besides, what right did I have to call myself your mother? I was never worthy of you.”

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

James’ mother then burst into flames, forcing James to release her. It took no time at all for her body to completely burn away to nothing.

“You made no hesitation whatsoever in taking your own mother’s life,” said Shadow Kahn. “If this is how you treat those you care about, then I shudder at the thought of what you have in store for your dear father.”

“How could you make him do that?” asked Jaycee.

“Silence,” said Shadow Kahn. “You have no right to address me. This has nothing to do with anyone but my son and I. But if you really want to get involved.”

“Stay out of this, Jaycee,” said James.

“But, James.”

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

“What chivalry,” said Shadow Kahn. “Fear not, girl. After I finish with him, you will be next. So cherish these last few moments that you have left.”

“This ends here and now,” said James.

“I agree wholeheartedly.”

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

“Seeing as I believe in a level playing field,” said Shadow Kahn. “We will do this your way.” Within his grasp appeared a black light in the shape of a blade. And from that light emerged a most magnificent looking sword.

“What is that?” asked James.

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

Showing neither fear nor awe for the weapon, James attacked. His strikes were fast and furious, but Shadow Kahn was up to the task of defending.

“I take it my weapon failed to impress you.”

James let his sword do the talking and unleashed wave after wave of furious strikes. Though he had no experience in swordplay, Shadow Kahn continued to deflect every attack. For his sword was more than a mere weapon. It was a living entity that craved battle, and it would stop only after tasting blood.

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

“Do you really want this battle to continue?” asked Shadow Kahn. “This sword will never allow you to win. And despite how strong your spirit might be, your body will not last forever. You yearn for mercy. I can see it in your eyes.”

James again attacked. But with such ease did Shadow Kahn defend himself that it looked as if he was toying with him.

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

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

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

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

Shadow Kahn immediately went back on the attack. His effort produced a slash across James’ cheek in the same spot where James had cut him.

“James!” screamed Jaycee.

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

“Sage told you this?” asked Shadow Kahn.

“It was supposed to be me who sacrificed himself to stop you. But Archer beat me to it. As you so clearly saw for yourself.”

“Laying down your life to save another. What a foolish concept. No one in this world is worth dying for. How naïve it was of you to think that something like that could actually stop me. I thrive upon the power that courses through this body.”

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

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

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

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

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

“Then I suggest you stop going easy on me.”

“If that is what you want,” said Shadow Kahn.

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

“I should let you know that since this sword has already tasted your blood, it will stop at nothing to taste more,” said Shadow Kahn. As he spoke, a trickle of blood began to run from his mouth. “Even I am powerless to stop it.”

With a ferocity James had yet to see in the battle, Shadow Kahn went on the attack. Only barely was he able to defend himself. It had become painfully obvious that the battle was no longer being fought against Shadow Kahn, but against his weapon.

“James,” whispered Jaycee.

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

So furious had the fighting become that James and Shadow Kahn had to separate just to catch their breath. Both fighters were now bloody messes from the damage they had sustained, making them nearly too weak to finish what they had started.

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

“Why don’t I believe that?” asked James.

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

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

“The loss of life is a necessary evil. There was no place for them in my new world. There was only room enough for you and I.”

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

“But none of them were my blood.”

“And neither am I,” said James.

“You still believe that? You certainly have the same stubbornness those of this world had. That will be addressed once I bring you back from the other side.”

“You don’t get it, do you? I’ll never be yours. I’ll fight you every time. I have my own will. And that will is going to make me want nothing to do with you. If you succeed in creating this perfect new world of yours, you’ll have it without me.”

“One should never underestimate the power of persuasion.”

“What do you mean?” asked James.

“What if I promised to let that girl live? After all, what good is a king without a queen? The two of you could rule this world together . . . forever.”

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

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

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

“How unfortunate,” said Shadow Kahn, who attacked so quickly that James had no time to react. The Sword of Hell pierced his shoulder, only barely 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. She cared only about tending to James, and was willing to take any risk to do so.

The distraction of Jaycee approaching forced Shadow Kahn to take his eyes off James for only a split second, but it was more than enough time for James to find an opening and run his blade through Shadow Kahn’s chest.

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

When Jaycee tried to remove the Sword of Hell, an incredible pain coursed through her body. A weapon such as that would allow no mere mortal to handle it. But despite the pain, Jaycee again took hold of the weapon and carefully removed it. When it had been removed, Jaycee threw it to the floor.

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

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

“To think that I would so blindly follow my foolish pride to commit such an act,” said Shadow Kahn. “I turned what should have been a beautiful gift into nothing but a mockery. To turn my weapon on my own son . . . there is no greater shame.”

To their utter disbelief, James and Jaycee watched as tears began to fall from Shadow Kahn’s eyes.

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

Death having no power over him, new life was breathed into the Great Deceiver. And with his rebirth came a most disturbing laugh. And as that laughter grew, the ring of fire roared back to life. And within the fire reappeared the gargantuan beast. Its monstrous roar was testament to its master’s victory.

“Perhaps I was wrong to go about things in the manner I did,” said Shadow Kahn, his gaze turned to the heavens. “But everything I did, I did for the right reasons.”

“Get back, Jaycee,” said James.

Jaycee made no protest and did as she was told.

“There are no words that can mend the mistakes of the past,” said Shadow Kahn. “Nor can any act atone for such sin.”

“Stop now,” demanded James.

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

Having no other choice, James ran his blade through Shadow Kahn’s throat, rendering him unable to continue. When the life looked to have been drained from him, James ever so carefully removed his blade.

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

“Is it over?” asked Jaycee.

“It’s over,” replied James.

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

James turned and discovered the Sword of Hell just as it had flung itself at him. Throwing himself to the floor, James was able to narrowly avoid the pierce of its blade.

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

Every instinct told James not to look, but he had no choice. When he turned to face Jaycee, he found her lying on her side. The Sword of Hell had penetrated her stomach and was protruding out her back.

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

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

“It’s not your fault,” said Jaycee.

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

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

James took Jaycee’s hand. Her touch was noticeably cold.

“I’m glad 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 we did it together.”

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

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

“We will,” said James.

“I love you, James.” And with that, Jaycee closed her eyes for the last time.

James tightened his embrace and wept the most bitter of tears.

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

The far end of 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 the growing hole would not be taking James. It seemed to be growing in the opposite direction as it devoured only the back of the castle.

The mere toppling of a once mighty structure, however, would only pale in comparison to the horror that was soon to rear its gruesome head. From the now gargantuan hole came a roar unlike anything James had ever before heard. The sheer volume of it was nearly enough to deafen him, which let James know that the size of the beast that had made it would have to be unimaginable.

First to emerge from the hole was the head. That part of it alone was large enough to block out the sun. And the horns that protruded from it were as tall as towers. Even the red eyes of the behemoth dwarfed James.

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

So enormous was it that even from only the waist up the demon king already towered hundreds of feet. Its wingspan stretched even further.

The creature had always been the most favored of the Great Deceiver’s underlings. And no mere upstart could ever usurp its position.

Before turning its attention to James, the king of the demons picked up Shadow Kahn's lifeless body and devoured it with incredible ease.

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

Shadow Kahn’s version of Hell’s Fury, even on its small scale, had created incredible destruction. But if the demon king unleashed the spell at its intended size, the result could be so catastrophic that it might rip the planet in half.

James took possession of the Sword of Hell. Despite the excruciating pain he experienced while holding it, James refused to release it. He then stared down the rapidly growing ball of black energy as if it was a living opponent staring back at him. In only a short time, the spell had already grown to an enormous size.

With no hesitation, James began a furious charge. The nearer he drew to Hell’s Fury, the more damage was done to him. The first few steps had created paper thin slashes to several parts of his body, and the closer he got, deeper gashes began appearing. But regardless of his pain, James refused to slow his progress.

With every ounce of strength he had left, James slashed Hell’s Fury. The swirling black ball exploded so violently that it would have been felt hundreds of miles away had there been anyone left to feel the magnitude.

In less than the blink of an eye, James was vaporized, as was Jaycee’s body. The demon king departed from the world of the living with a ghastly howl as its body was torn to shreds by the very spell it had conjured. And nothing but the memory remained of Shadow Kahn’s castle as nothing but a vast nothingness remained in the wake of Hell’s Fury.

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

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

The demons roared to the sky in jubilation of their glorious victory. For it was a truly wondrous culmination to the Great Deceiver’s plan.