Maze of Dreams: A Fighting Chance

Days later in Sunset City downtown…

Havok’s face materializes within the distant sky. Thunder and lightning roars down as a sunny day turns dark and gloomy. The city surrounding begins to crystalize within mere seconds, resounding the people's panicking where Havok stares down with an intimidating glare. Sarah steps up to confront him.

“What is it this time? You’re back for more?” Sarah asked.

“Fools! Our main plan can now finally commence.”

Alistor and party arrive on the scene witnessing the sight of people crystalizing into solid glass. A small spark of fear in the back of their minds.

“You monsters! Leave them out of this.”

“Ha ha ha! Soon your world will be in the Vortex image.”

Winoa comes running to the scene reporting the source of the attack.

“The energy! It’s all coming from the forest. The Forest of Dark Illusions.”

Havok’s image dissipates with the clouds. Alistor returns to the hospital to check on Katty’s status.

“Sorry guys…but it seem our battle with Havok took a toll on my body.” Katty said. “I’ll be out of commission for the next day or two.”

“It’s ok…you rest and take it easy. I’ll handle the task from here.” Alistor assured.

“By the way, a few old friends stopped by. They’re waiting for you in the lobby. Don’t keep them waiting.”

“Huh? Old friends?”

Alistor didn’t waste time. He arrives to the lobby and there Claws, Mira and Zolhalla were waiting.

“It’s been a while.”

“You guys!”

After a brief moment of catching up…

“We’ll stand by if you need any help, defending the city in case of any enemy attacks.” Claws assured.

It was then soon decided. Sarah was the one to lead the expedition through the dark forest. Alistor, Winoa, Swifter, and Plasmus were still able to fight. Mira then steps up to join the team.

“Let me help out.”

“Are you sure about it?” Alistor said.

“Don’t worry. It’s the least I can offer. With Maigashi not around, you’ll need all the help you can get.”

The rest were speculating on Maigashi’s whereabouts.

“Where is Maigashi by the way?” Alistor wondered.

Katty briefly arrives in the room with crutches.

“None of us really knows for certain.” Katty said. “Let’s hope he hasn’t fallen to the enemy hands. No time to waste. You must head out.”

“Just leave this mission to me.” Sarah snapped.

With full confidence, Sarah bolts out the room before the rest. And so the six of them make their way to the dark forest. With their world slowly crystalizing by the second there was no time to lose.

Meanwhile back from the Vortex Sky base, Havok watches the progress above. He suddenly detects a presence in the room.

“Huh? Who’s there? Come on out.”

It was yet another general stepping into the scene. A Spade Symbol on his chest.

“Greetings general. Mind if I intrude your company?”

“What business you have Spades? I have no time to waste arguing.”

He looked at the other general in distaste.

“Auroa and Kabuki have entered the battle personally. The time is near a close. The other generals are growing rather impatient. Diamonds, Hearts, and Clubs are rallying a huge army to go all out on Mathias.”

“Don’t you dare! Give our weapon time. Besides, Darcus wouldn’t be too pleased to hear you disobeyed orders.” Havok reminded.

Spades immediately stepped back.

“Very well! But if Darcus falls we won’t hesitate to take action. Rare has been watching. He’s so far not satisfied with our current progress. The secret weapon is not much of a matter to us.”

He petered back all else to say at Havok before leaving.

“Ingrate…”

The scenes pans back to the party. Arriving at the front entrance of the forest, miles away, Auroa and Kabuki oversee the creation of the massive super weapon. From the pile of prisms the surrounding area slowly crystalized on the trees. A bright white forest lies beyond their point as a breeze pass by. White flower petals get carried away by the gust.

“It seems we got company.” Kabuki said.

“Raise the maze. Send Darcus and Vostella to stall them. Art takes time to perfect.” Auroa snapped.

“Very well.”

He takes his leave giving the signal to deploy Darcus and Vostella. He then crouches down to begin summoning something with the palm of his hands flat on the ground.

“Let’s see how they like this.”

Back with Sarah and the rest of the party, the ground is shaking beneath their feet. A whole forest labyrinth rose from the ground. A fog immediately pours in. The weird smell from the fog begins causing past hallucinations for them.

“Damn! They trapped us.” Swifter shouted.

“Hold on! It’s just an illusion. Snap out of it.” Mira said.

The sight of Rena running through the forest catches Alistor’s attention. Alistor follows her trail as the others try to stop him.

“Rena! Wait up!”

Alistor disappeared that very second. Auroa’s image immediately reappears on the other side provoking Sarah.

“I’ll get you this time!”

Sarah didn’t hesitate to chase after him.

“No! Hold up.” Winoa shouted.

“Just as I feared… The enemy is attempting to separate us.” Mira stated. “We have to stick together.”

“Then what’s the plan?”

The girls began planning out as Swifter and Plasmus stood by.

“Ok…go after Sarah for the time being.” Mira said. “The three of us will try and catch up with Alistor.”

“Gotcha!”

Winoa took the path to the right whereas Mira and the rest went left.

Back with Sarah…Auroa’s image promptly engulfed her within his cape.

In Sarah’s mind she finds herself in a time. A time and place when she was a little girl by a tree at the end of a forest with white cherry blossoms. There a swing lied at the edge of a branch rocking back and forth. A girl and boy meet.

“So you came…”

“As promised.” Auroa said.

“Sigh. This is very first place we met. Can’t believe it’s been almost a year.”

They both take a good look at the tree.

“Hey Auroa! You ever had a macaroon?”

“Macaroon? What’s that?”

She begins giggling at him.

“I have to treat you sometime. There’s a good dessert shop just outside by the forest.”

“You know I can’t leave this forest…It’s too risky. Not without being detected. Yet…I still can’t remember who I truly am.”

Sarah pulls out a crest. Splitting it half, she hands one half to Auroa.

“Tell you what! Let’s make a promise. When we both grow up we’ll run away together. See the world together.” Sarah said.

“Run away?”

She begins holding out her pinky.

“Let’s make this a pinky promise.”

“Whatever you say.”

The dream suddenly warps to another scene. A dark twisted gloomy day she stood by to watch. A memory that happened not long ago.

“How could you…”

A destroyed village rests in the background. Sarah finds Auroa slaughtering her village. Dead bodies of her family members lie on the floor.

“Mom…Dad….You monster!”

Auroa holds up the other half of her charm.

“The promise! Don’t you remember! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

He disappears off into the sky, Sarah on the floor laid hopeless. The memory fades away as she slowly begins to wake up; Winoa’s face being the first thing she saw opening her eyes. She begins rubbing her forehead from a slight bit of throbbing pain.

“Phew…finally bout time you’re awake.”

“What happened?” Sarah wondered.

“Let’s hurry back to the others.” Winoa said.

Back with Alistor, he comes to a complete stop in the middle of the lush forest. Rena came to a halt with her back turned.

“Rena…is that really you?”

She didn’t make a sound. Alistor unhesitatingly steps close.

Rena begins giggling softly.

“What’s so funny? Rena?”

Her head turned 180 degree around shocking him. Her arms immediately begin to stretch out. The hands beefed up and then the fingers fattened up.

“DIE!!!”

A long metal claw pounced down leaving Alistor with little time to react. He gets sent far back; blood drips from the side of his face.

“Who the heck are you?”

Mira and the rest soon caught up to Alistor’s position.

“Alistor are you ok!” Mira shouted.

“He’s hurt!” Swifter said.

They take a look at the opponent standing before them.

“What the heck is that?” Plasmus asked.

“You’re not Rena! Show yourself!” Alistor demanded.

Rena’s body wiggles and moves in an elastic motion. Her body breaks apart revealing a monster before them. The party gets intimidated by its grand entrance while giving off a big smile.

“I’ve been waiting for you heh heh heh. You can call me Vostella. My disguise nearly had you fooled. Heh heh heh hiccup…”

His neck begins dangling off like a corpse, metal arms flapping as though they were spaghetti strings, acidic goo pouring out from the monster's mouth.

“Ugh…What a foul smell.” Mira gasped.

They cover their nose, unable to bear the gunk pouring out from the monster. Its hair all big and shiny begins flopping around rapidly.

“Heh don't mind lil ol' me. I'm just stretching a bit...if you want, you can watch for a bit when I get to bending, though I'd need a workout partner to press hehehe.”

“This guy is creepy.” Swifter jumped.

“I wanna go home now, like really. I can tell when this is a bad match up.” Plasmus said.

The both of them cower behind Alistor’s back.

Vostella’s eyes begin to glow a demon red. His arm stretches out barely hitting them by an inch, smashing a hole through a tree from one gaping thrust.

“I am a master manipulator of steel. When I’m through, I’ll melt your faces before tearing you LIMB FROM LIMB.”

“He’s someone I would not want to meet at a lone ally on a Saturday night. Run!” Mira shouted.

The four began to panic across the scene as the monster attacks with its arms. Flailing in a fast rubbery motion, they get slammed violently across. Alistor attempts to strike, but Vostella’s metal arms lashed out forcing Alistor to block.

“He’s keeping his distance from us.” Mira pointed.

“We can’t even get close.” Alistor said.

They struggle to get back on their feet, but it was no use. They are forced to duck and roll as the metal arms begun spinning in a circular motion.

“Hyuck Hyuck Hyuck Hyuck…I can feel the adrenaline rushing in already.”

Somewhere back with Sarah and Winoa. They find themselves in another part filled with white blossom trees.

“It’s beautiful…” Winoa said. “Takes us back. Don’t you agree?”

“Yeah…” Sarah muttered.

Auroa looms behind the tree watching. His eye was locked on Winoa.

“Let’s have a little fun shall we…”

Sarah suddenly detects a sound coming from the bushes.

“Come on! Bring it on! I’m ready for you.”

She jumps into attack, but nothing was there.

“False alarm…We can’t let these illusions get the best of us.”

She turns around to face Winoa. A strange look was in her friend's eyes; fixed and relaxed, she approaches Sarah with her lowered guard.

“Hmmm…”

She came closer than usual, latching her small body onto Sarah’s strong arms. She began weirdly caressing her arms with her fragile hands. It was rather awkward for her.

“What are you doing? No time for games. There’s something we must do...WINOA! Stop touching me.”

She touches her thighs making her feel unpleasant. She kicks away, but Winoa crawls up grasping onto her skirt. Sarah starts backing off.

“You afraid Sarah?”

“Not really! You’re just being creepy. Have you been watching too much soap operas? I knew this was a bad influence.”

Winoa moves close breaking through her defenses. She tries shoving her face away, but she had no desire to lay a scratch on her friend.

“It’s alright; everything will soon be all ok.”

She latches her arms on Sarah’s shoulders. Face to face they feel the warmth from one's breathing.

“I don’t swing that way Winoa. You’re my best friend and all but don’t make me hurt you. Cause I will.”

She tries to resist from attacking, but Winoa grappled onto her body this time to land a kiss. She throws a fiery punch at her friend. Winoa’s face lands flat on the ground not moving for a moment. Winoa got back up as her body dangles around like a puppet.

“Something’s not right. Reveal yourself!”

Winoa continues her advance but she expedited to blast her with a ball of flame. She gets knocked far back hitting against a tree. Her unconscious body floated in midair revealing another power behind her.

“Hee hee….Well no point in hiding anymore.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite loose end.”

It was none other than Auroa pulling the strings. His hollow body arises right out from her back.

“What did you do to Winoa? Answer me!”

“Oh not to worry she’s fine. I just merely borrowed her body for the time being. It was even a piece of cake masking my energy behind her.”

His response got her instantly fueled to go all out at him.

“Enough talk! It’s time to cut ties. And end this!”

She brought out the flames to begin the battle. A gush of fire pushes Auroa back for the first time.

“I see you quite improved. Let’s see how you handle this.”

He begins creating layers of air to wall off from her. Waves of cutting air aim for her as she deflects one after the next. Sarah breaks through his layers of cyclones. She quickly opens up a huge scroll.

“You’re not going anywhere. It’s time for my ultimate technique. Passed down by my tribe.”

“Yes! Hit me with your best shot. Show them you were the best of the best. That’s what you want right?”

The flames of her inner self starts to take the form of a dragon as six chained up pillars on fire wrap across his body. Auroa’s body begins creating a massive vortex catching on flames inside. She struggles to keep the flames channeling but his chilling aura slows her down.

“No! I can master the Iron Dragon.” Sarah muttered. “I spent years halfway across the world under Kaida’s wing. Her training prepared me for this fateful moment!”

She gets the dragon to circulate across his vortex enough to launch it down at him, staring into the eyes of a burning beast for the first time. He easily shatters the chains ready to counter, but before he had the chance her attack died out.

“What is going on? What happened to your ultimate attack?” Auroa wondered.

Sarah couldn’t understand what was wrong.

“No! Why did my attack fail?” Sarah wondered. “I can’t lose touch right now. This can’t be happening now.”

Sarah dropped to her knee feeling all hope was lost.

“Just get this over with and finish me.” She tearfully muttered.

She only wanted Auroa to end her life at that very moment. He walked up slowly to her in full curiosity.

“I have one thing to ask and you must answer me.”

“Yeah what?” She was scuffing off whatever tears she wanted to hide from him. “No point for me going on. I don’t need your pity.”

She got back up on her feet.

“If you were to defeat me what will you do after?” He asked in a serious tone.

“What do you mean?”

He began to elaborate for her.

“Your only purpose and intention was to destroy me. And if I’m gone what will you do from there? I really need to know?”

“I….I… I don’t know.” She was speechless, unable to find the words at that moment.

Refusing to fall for his pity she turns away.

“Why are you asking this? You had the chance to kill me many times and you wouldn’t. WHY?” She abruptly asked.

“To give you a fighting chance of course.” Auroa stated.

Her eyes widen the moment she listened. A peek through the window of her mind for the first time.

“That’s how you feel?”

She started cracking a smile. Something that she rarely ever did.

“Well come along then.”

From one wave of his arm he opened a warp. He grabbed her hand pulling her in a warp to another place and time. They get sucked in traveling through the eye of a vortex funnel at a fast pace. She held on tight to his arm covering her eyes.

“Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll soon find out.” Auroa said.

A blinding light at the end, she didn’t face it, looking back. The moment she opened her eyes it was a world of light and darkness. Crystalized structures and tall buildings full of neon flanked across. A soft fog plows by as she took a moment to fall back in fear.

“What is this place? I never have seen anything like this?”

He helps her back up once he begins explaining things.

“A small preview of the Crystal Vortex plans after Mathias falls. Of course this is just the first stage.”

She took the moment to look around then nods to herself.

“You’re insane you know that? I should have never freed you that day. If I knew the man you turned to be...Family once important, you took it all away. Now I don’t even know anymore.” Sarah muttered.

“None of this will matter in the end.”

A slow song begins playing as they reached out to embrace in each other’s arms. A moment of peace and serenity between the two. She closes her eyes, resting her head on his cold shoulders.

“I never danced. Never bothered with any proms.” She said.

“It’s ok, don’t worry.”

Forgetting all that was on their minds letting go, it was a brand new day for them as they danced away without care.

Back with Alistor and the party….The battle takes its toll on all of them.

“I can’t get a clear shot.” Mira said.

Vostella continues to whack them across the forest maze laughing to no end. Swifter gets knocked out. Acid is spat out from the monster's mouth. A part of Plasmus' cloak gets burned off.

“Ha ha ha! You’ll never break through my metal arms. Just give up.”

“Time to prove you wrong!” Alistor shouted.

After taking a few redirected hits, one of Vostella’s floppy arms is pinned down by his blade cleaving. Swifter proceeds to pin his other metal arm.

“WHAT!?”

Vostella was now open for a direct attack. He struggles to break free but the both of them hold his arms down with all the strength they had remaining. Mira takes aim at the monster with her magical bow.

“I got you now!”

“What? I never seen attack like that? I can’t let a move of that level through.” The monster hesitated.

The monster spits a ball of acid directly at Alistor as a last ditch effort, but Plasmus jumps in to take the hit from the back. Mira charged her attack at full power.

“Aurora Phoenix Arrow!”

Mira’s attack pierces through Vostella. Acid begins gargling out from his body as his arms floundered madly.

“CRAP!!!”

Vostella’s body suddenly splits in half. His arms flung off only to slowly collapse to the ground, detonating in one huge explosion.

“Sigh…That was our toughest battle yet.” Alistor dropped.

Worn down having a few bruises with plenty of scrapes, cuts, and burns; they were still alive hanging by a slight edge.

Back from the cold forest, Winoa is seen waking up leaning by the corner of a tree. She hits her head back as cherry blossoms from above plop on her.

“Ow! That was one of the strangest dreams. Was I really kissing Sarah? Oh well…Urgh…why can’t I remember what else happened?”

The scene transitions back to Sarah as her dance with Auroa comes to a close. The song is at an end and the illusion begins to dissipate. They are back where they started not far from Winoa’s incident.

“Here, I have something for you. Take it!”

He reaches out placing it in the palms of her hands, the other half of her charm.

“What!? I thought you threw this away.”

“I did toss it off that bridge.” Auroa admits. “But I found the time to reclaim it. So let this fulfill our end of the bargain. As thanks for freeing me that very day.”

She placed the charm back in one piece. It immediately begins glowing for a brief second. The energy inside her was instantly replenished.

“Now the playing field is evenly set.”

“What’s going on? This power fueling inside. I never felt it before. How is this even possible?” She asked.

Auroa floats away from her.

“The ability to let go.”

“Let go?” She repeated.

“No longer to bear the hatred holding you back. You allowed yourself to be at peace and forgive.”

This was a moment of revelation for her.

“The next time we meet will be our last battle. You will be at your best.” Auroa assured.

His body slowly disappears into the sky as Winoa catches up to find her.

“Don’t think this will make me change my mind. I’m going to win no matter what.”

“So what did I miss?” Winoa asked.

“Not much…Let’s catch up with the rest of the team.”

She leaves with Winoa not bothering to look back.

Back at the construction site with Kabuki…

“Seems they bested Vostella. Darcus! It’s up to you now.”

Back with Alistor and party, they took the moment to patch their wounds. A wave of darkness is unleashed, sending them all back.

“Brace yourself!” Mira shouted. “Something is coming.”

Darcus instantly appears before them.

“So you’re the ones who have been foiling the Vortex’s plans. I heard you recently bested Havok. Not many are capable of that feat.”

He takes the first step shaking up the field.

“Darn…We didn’t get a chance to rest.” Alistor muttered.

“He’s huge!” Swifter said.

“I am Darcus. Proud commander of the Vortex army. I’ll gladly put my life on the line.”

He makes the first move slamming his gargantuan blade towards the ground; a quake felt with an explosion of darkness forcing them to jump away. Darcus took some time to pull his blade up.

“He’s much slower than than the last monster. But one direct hit from that and it’s over.”

“Well I’m not afraid. Here goes nothing.” Mira said.

She recklessly rushes in and Darcus takes a swing. She avoids the blade to land some small shots, consecutively hitting the monster with all she got. She gets knocked back from a dark wave. Swifter and Plasmus proceed to fire their ranged laser attacks.

“Your attacks mean nothing to me!” Darcus revoked.

Darcus stood by unaffected. His body begins absorbing all the attacks. Alistor rushes in ready for his Silver Shrapnel technique but gets blown back by Darcus’ aura.

“You won’t hold me back! Silver Shrapnel!”

Alistor desperately unleashes his attack, but it gets eaten by the darkness.

“Now feel my true power!!!”

A massive super attack voids from the tip of his huge sword. In the shape of a dark cyclone it takes out Mira, Swifter, and Plasmus within seconds. Alistor stood alone as Darcus slowly advanced.

“Is that truly all the power you got?” Darcus further taunted. “I find it hard to believe you bested Havok.”

Darcus proceeds to swing down his heavy blade. Alistor dodges in the nick of time to counterattack. This time he locks onto his hand.

“Star Breaker!”

He got close enough to disarm Darcus, but gets punched aside. Alistor goes to strike from behind and Darcus catches him.

“Even without my weapon I can still take you. In fact, I don’t even need it.”

He tosses Alistor aside. He gets back up but Darcus strikes him down with a shadow sphere. His body was stunned to the ground fighting to get back up.

“I can’t move…”

“Light will find the darkness always waiting.” Darcus added. “I win! Ha ha ha ha.”

From a branch high up a figure is seen watching from above them. Before Darcus got the chance to swing the final blow a shocking light pounced over him.

“What was that?”

The light pounced at Darcus shoulders again. Darcus was on guard but it happens a third time. It continuously happens at a fast pace. He couldn’t keep up.

“Reveal yourself!”

“Still letting the opponent best you? You haven’t changed much have you?”

“Maigashi! Is that you?”

“Just sit back and let me show you how it’s done.”

Maigashi steps into the battle.

“Enough of your idle chit chats. If you want to die then be my guest.”

Darcus discharges a sphere blowing trees away. Maigashi fires a few shots of lightning, stunning him. The darkness around begins to dissipate. Darcus was on the edge trying to keep up. Streams of lightning blinds Darcus, purging the last of the darkness. He begins resorting to desperate measures.

“Enough! Full power!”

Without his blade, Darcus performs his ultimate attack. The dark cyclone takes the form of a nasty dragon gunning for him.

“Time for the heavy artillery!” Maigashi said.

Maigashi dives in fearlessly at the dragon. Taking the form of a stream of lightning. He successfully breaks through Darcus' attack, landing a finishing blow from above.

“I tried, but couldn't delay long enough. Who are you?”

“The name’s Maigashi!” He pointed out.

Soon after the darkness completely dissipates. The glow in the eyes of Darcus fades as he falls to his knees. Darcus' head falls off from his body and he explodes leaving nothing but debris.

Maigashi walks up to Alistor, lending him a hand.

“Let’s move out! Just like the old times.”