Final Stand - Part 2

("The time has come, the judgment is imminent. Progression has reached its end. Awaken what is hidden and bring the anomaly to an end this time.")

Leo rushed to the palace as fast as he could. From behind him he heard the raging cries of the battle inside the city. As he was about to enter the gate, the first loud explosions rang out from the city. It made him even more anxious, he needed to hurry up as much as he could. Before he would face his opponent, there was a big energy flowing through him. An aura of light enveloped his gear. His senses were heightened and his speed enhanced. Leo himself was feeling much stronger than he had before with the aid of that voice.

("This is the limit you were able to reach without shattering. Your chance has come yet take heed. Even I do not know what he is capable of. The extent is beyond my estimation.")

Entering the building, he noticed a long corridor in front of him. Each step he took made him think over everything once again. He made himself aware of his conviction and resolve.

("Nothing is impossible in this world.")

Past the big door was the scene of battle, an ornate hall full of statues and trinkets. What Leo saw displeased him at all, his plan threatened to fail. Maris was lying on the floor, badly wounded and unable to stand up with Yrasil standing in front of him carrying his spear. Minor wounds showed on his body which hardly mattered to him. Content, he was taking a breath as he spotted Leo. His face lit up with excitement

"Hahaha, you actually made it this far. Take a look at how your wild card is doing. He is down on the ground, pathetic. Then again, what did I expect from my brother or whatever is left of him? You wasted your hope on this fool. So tragic and yet so satisfying hahaha."

The ruler among the elves was aware of his superiority at all times. The risks he took never challenged his immediate safety.

"What are you looking all pissed off about? Come on, you made it this far, be proud of yourself little human. Even the bugs out there almost managed to bring the city under control... still, only almost. You should know that my actions were not designed around my boundaries. Right from the beginning, I have been playing with powers that would eventually take you down. You're the last person I'm going to show them to."

Yrasil drew his spear and approached Leo. The latter took his sword and moved into position. His opponent hit him with the first blow but Leo blocked and used it as a counterattack. He struck him slightly on the shoulder then quickly backed away. Yrasil seemed surprised to see his blood on his fingers. He then began to giggle and eventually burst into a laughter.

"Hahaha, fascinating, outstanding, magnificent. That sword of yours, the aura of that blade...it's pure perfection. Any normal weapon couldn't harm me but you...you have prepared well. How did you get it, a supreme weapon? Has Zaphiel lent you his help? Whoever it was, I have him to thank. I truly expected this match to be over in no time but now... now we are in for a real one. Now you can watch your blade crumble along with your being!"

His eyes lit up green as he appeared behind Leo with insane speed. Rather than hitting him full force, he used the handle of the spear and rammed it into his stomach. Having new prey, he wanted to play with it as much as possible. Leo went down and was barely able to breathe. While he was coughing for air his attacker was running towards him. As Yrasil bent down to provoke him, Leo suddenly rose and managed to hit him in the arm. Yrasil appeared as if he felt no pain and instead gazed at the extent of this attack. While licking his own blood, he became even more aroused.

"More, I want more! Show me what you are capable of human!"

All of a sudden, Yrasil completely limited himself to his defense. He had no intentions of attacking on his own. That was the moment for Leo to go all out.

("As you wish you crazy bastard, you won't get off that easily!").

His eyes lit up white and a blank veil enveloped him. Before Yrasil had a chance to marvel at it, Leo already stood right behind him and launched an attack. Yrasil was just able to block him. That was just the beginning, Leo kept striking from all directions non-stop. As time went by, he inflicted additional wounds all over his body. Maris, still lying injured on the ground couldn't help but marvel at what he wasn't capable of. Still, Leo's weapon was unable to actually pierce his opponent.

"This feeling, those little stings. So that' s what it feels like to be met with it. However, I'm afraid your efforts are about to come to an end. You've made your move, now it's my turn. Try not to die please!"

Leo's eyes snapped open when he saw the same white glow on Yrasil. For some reason his opponent too had access to that strength. With a wide grin and shining eyes, it was his time to charge. At first Leo managed to dodge his blows due to his sharpened senses but over time this ability wore off. Little by little, he too was wounded. Leo lacked the skill or willpower to hide the pain. He gritted his teeth while bleeding from both of his arms.

("Fuck, how do you expect me to defeat this guy? I don't stand a chance like this. Has he no weaknesses at all?!")

Abruptly, a great heat flooded him which healed his wounds. Once again he was ready to fight with full strength.

("This is the only thing I can do for you right now. His aura is very abnormal, I was correct. Something is amiss with this creature. That variation and endurance he possesses shouldn't be possessed like that. In fact, it's like he's receiving assistance from someone...")

(This guy is still getting help on his abilities? Is it from someone like you or has he just discovered a new kind of magic?")

("I do not know. Just hold on as long as you can, your body will be restored soon.")

Leo cast a glance behind Maris. It looked like he had a plan for this situation. Indeed, Maris had been able to rest through the break and was nearly ready to fight again. Until then Leo had to stall for time so as to stay alive.

"What do you expect to accomplish by killing me? zaphiel will never neglect his goals because of me!"

"If he doesn't then at least I will have attained some of my satisfaction. Your bond with him is stronger than you think. It' a shame you have a seal upon you."

("So that's what I was sensing with you! Nevertheless, who is responsible for this restriction? Such beings ought not to have any influence on it. I' ve misjudged all of it, my mind wasn't advanced enough.")

("It doesn't matter now! Are you forgetting what's going on here?! Is there any way to disable his assistant if he actually has one?")

("No, this is not feasible like this. Its a nature like me, we are the only ones that can affect it.")

("Fuck! Beings like you, help from immense powers, voices in heads: it's all fucking absurd! Destiny here, destiny there: right now I'm destined to die! If you needed me then something must be doable, right?!")

"What is it? Why are you hesitating like this? Have you had enough already? Do you want me to surrender to my boredom again? Absolutely out of the question! If you don't want to fight seriously, then I'll make you do it!"

Leo had no choice but to dodge. Each of the blows would be fatal for him, one mistake and his death awaited him. In the midst of this struggle, he saw Maris sending the signal to him. Leo then realized what he was trying to pull off and started to search for an opportunity.

"What about your people? You have dominion over the elves yet you sacrifice them at your own free will. Are you no longer interested in them?"

"As long as they serve their purpose they have value. I do not need to pay attention to every single one of the miserable, incompetent people in my race. Once before I tried to restore them but my three experiments failed miserably... against creatures of your caliber. This was just the proof that such efforts are wasted. On the other hand, I did find another way to deal with these insects. They are of little importance under normal circumstances. I cannot consider them worthy as individuals. It is only as a unit that I can truly appreciate them. You' re a fool not to do so, it' s a waste of time to worry about such things. Since when do individual of these beings matter in this world? Did they ever accomplish anything of significance? Did they ever do something that caused us harm? Has an elf, dark elf, human, beastman or dwarf ever meant something more? Regardless of what you do, you can never get on the same level as us. Only fools hang on to such delusions."

During the conversation, Leo managed to lead Yrasil in the direction of his brother. After his brother gave the signal, Leo abruptly went on the attack. Yrasil took a stance to parry his blow however he was grabbed from behind by Maris.

"Let go, you maggot. Just die already and give me some rest."

"Not unless you perish!"

Maris blocked the lance, giving Leo that one important moment. His sword lit up white as he managed to stab his opponent right in the chest. The sword stuck deep in the wound, it was the first severe injury Yrasil suffered. This time the pain was evident. He contorted his face, growled and boiled with rage. He then pulled the sword out of his chest.

"Stay the hell out of this fight bastard!"

Yrasil shook Maris off, grabbed the lance and rammed into his stomach. The latter began to struggle for breath while facing near death. Yrasil glared at his brother in annoyance, then turned his attention back to Leo.

"Congratulations, you did it. You are the first one I shall show the full extent of me to! You better not think I'm going to let you die quickly! Are you holding hope inside you again? Let me go and get it out of you right now!"

Yrasil quickly emerged in front of Leo and grabbed him by the neck. He was barely able to breathe but he had to stay conscious. He saw that the deep wound stopped bleeding yet it did not close. Then Yrasil threw him against one of the walls. The hard impact caused him to spit blood and he was barely able to stand up straight.

"Tsk, that's all you're meant to do?! THAT'S ALL YOU'RE CAPABLE OF? No, not like this, not until you see what it means to suffer!"

Yrasil dragged him down the corridor to the palace entrance. Eventually he tossed him out of the gate. Leo's pain got worse with the hard impact. Yrasil dragged him by the hair and threw him down the big stairs. Feeling his ribs crack, the young man cried out in pain. As he lay on the ground, he groaned while Yrasil stared at him with disdain. He continued to stomp him further down until they both saw the city center.

" Look at how far you have come. See what lies ahead of them. Watch their faces, the panic that grew out of their hope. I had no faith in my insects from the very beginning. However, it only takes a second for trash to become treasure. Death is not as definitive as you thought!"

Leo watched from afar as the living dead enemies attacked their troops. Over time, more and more of them rose up to kill the soldiers. Leo began to see the despair in their eyes, the hopelessness that he too was beginning to feel.

"Everything was in vain, your own imbecility killed them. You're the one responsible for this."

Leo gritted his teeth, he was fed up with Yrasil's words. His resolve was coming back and with it some of his strength.

"Oh, so you do have something left in you after all. Then despair to your bitter end! You shall perish before their very eyes. Any that are left I will personally kill!"

Yrasil threw over Leo's sword. Even before he could pick it up he received a blow to the face from the right. Once again he fell to the ground and panted in pain. In the next moment Yrasil stomped on his right hand with full power. Hearing his bones break, Leo cried out in pain yet again.

"Your punishment for being weak in my presence. You call yourself a fighter? Ridiculous! Stand up already before I cut it off!"

("Shit...shit. I can't die. Give me a fucking hand. That's what you're here for, right?!")

The voice wasn't answering though he got what he wanted. Again an inner warmth flooded him which healed his broken hand and eased the pain of the wounds.

"Go ahead, use your remaining fighting spirit and struggle against your demise!"

Leo stood up and took the weapon. The blade lost its luster but was still intact. Yrasil awaited his attack. With last resolution, Leo entered the fight. However, his opponent was doing with him what he wanted. The healing was the only thing given to him again. His sword skills or fighting abilities weren't even close to being on a high level. Thus, Yrasil slowly tortured him to death. He dealt him wound after wound avoiding any fatal spots. Again and again he picked Leo up from the ground just to knock him down and break his bones in the next moment. He then turned his attention to the sword breaking it in half.

"Weak, too weak! How dare a being like you compete with me like that! You can' t do anything! You are nothing, you don't even have the value of a maggot anymore! The look on your face disgusts me! You're Zaphiel's disciple?! An insolence for our beings!"

Leo was about to faint. He barely managed to speak and held on to his life with the last of his strength. Incredibly, he managed to stand up one last time. With his armor completely destroyed and his sword torn in half, he limped in the direction of his opponent.

"I really detest that expression of yours! Even now you still hold on to your filthy hope!"

As Yrasil was about to knock him to the ground again, Leo dodged and struck with his sword. In the process, he aimed directly for the hole in his chest.

("NOW, FOR ONE LAST TIME!")

Just before the blade struck, it began to glow in a bright shade of white. Using the last of his strength he pierced Yrasil's body. The latter swayed backwards and looked at the now huge wound. Blood streamed down his body and from his mouth. In satisfaction, Leo gazed once more while he fought to remain conscious. He was barely able to keep his eyes open as he himself suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. His own sword was now thrusting through his body. Blood ran from Leo's mouth as he looked forward. There was Yrasil standing in front of him along with a hole in his body seemingly without the wound having any effect. His opponent sighed in disappointment.

"Did you really think this would be all it takes to kill me? I am not a lesser being like you. You really think a human can defeat superior beings like us? I wouldn't have fell down even if you stabbed me ten more times. You just don't get it, do you? We all exist since the beginning of time. Creatures like you, limited because of your origins and nature cannot prevail. In this world, not everything is possible and certainly not for you..."

Yrasil reached out one finger and gently touched Leo's forehead. The latter fell backwards onto the hard floor while his whole body collapsed. His eyes and gaze froze as blood continued to spill from his mouth. After a couple of seconds, a pool of blood was formed and was flowing down the stairs.

"Foolish, just like my brother."

Yrasil simply abandoned the corpse and headed for the palace to deliver the final blow to his brother too. The day that dawned in hope was now shrouded in death and anguish. All the efforts that were taken and all the sacrifices that were made were about to be in vain.

("Phase two - start: revival initiated. Memory building is performed.")

Opening his eyes, Leo found himself inside a small room. In a couple of seconds, the walls began to fill with images of his memories. He had his eyes riveted on all his recollections.

"I see you are awake."

Leo knew it was the voice which had given him support just a few seconds ago. However, when he turned around he saw what was his reflection in front of him. The figure looked exactly like him in every detail.

"You certainly have a lot of questions for me, all your thoughts are completely scattered. First of all, no, I am not just another you. Generally, others see me as their reflection. You will only be able to observe my true appearance once everything has been unveiled."

"Am I dead? What about the others?"

" Correct, your body has just succumbed to the wounds. Thy corpse is lying on the stairs of the palace with the broken weapon in thy chest. Thy allies still fight against their doom but they too will soon be slain."

Leo got to watch the images as they fought against the undead herd of soldiers. It really did seem like their demise. With Yrasil emerging victorious, they stood no chance.

"Fuck! I failed...damn it! Is there no way to go back?! It can't just end like this!"

"In your condition, there is no way to intervene. However, as you can see, death is not finite. Your mind remains, I was able to retrieve it in the last moment. Although you may have failed, you were of great service to me. Thanks to your efforts, I discovered the source of the anomalies. I do have another reason why you are here. While your intentions may be pure right now, even you will not be able to escape corruption in the future."

"What kind of abnormalities? How can I be corrupted? By a curse? I don't understand anything. What the hell is this place?"

"A chance for you to be salvaged and for others to be saved. Something immense is about to unfold that transcends one dimension. Unfortunately, I learned about it too late which is why I have to act immediately to prevent my influence from disappearing completely. That' s why I chose you. I believed your survival was the best possible outcome but due to the flaws in the system it is best to show it to you directly, what purpose means.

Rest assured, the concept of time doesn't apply here. Therefore, you can still intervene in the battle."

All of a sudden a big gate appeared which led out of the room. It shone brightly as it swung open.

"All the things you want to know shall be revealed to you in a moment. By my intervention thou shalt understand which truth truly lies behind this world. For I possess no name, I am a sentient being without genesis, a fragment of it all."

"If not who then what exactly are you?"

"I...I am a part of the Kreators. Allow me to show you what existence has truly come to mean. Great burdens will weigh on you, I trust thee can both handle them and use it to advantage."

Following the conversation, both of them stepped through the big door. Passing through the door that never allowed a being like Leo to cross. Yet the "Kreator" chose to defy the rules. Like Leo once had, he too stood with nothing left to lose. The young man represented the last and only card to play within the system. It was all revealed to him, the events of the past as well as the future to await all of them.