The shadows gather right in front of the door revealing human-like creatures made of shard. Suddenly, we heard laughter and their appearance started to change. One changed into Jonathan’s form and began taunting Edsworth: “Your family is worthless! You will never live up to what we have accomplished! Without us, you’re nothing! Your Ancestor died for nothing!” Great laughter was heard after the words were spoken. I can feel the pent up rage within Edsworth, but I tell Lawrence to keep him under control. Suddenly, they change forms once more. This time into Zephyr. He began taunting Lawrence as well, saying: “You failed us in every way! You cost us our beloved King! You have no right to stay alive!” Lawrence let out a battle cry, but I manage to keep him back. Finally, another manages to take a different form. This time, it was myself.
It spouted horrible phrases such as: “You endanger everyone around you! Even your ancestors hate you!” However, none of them sent me over the edge until I heard one phrase: “You even sent your kingdom to it’s own demise!” That is when everything went black.
Chapter 6: Revelations of Past deeds
As I regain consciousness, I look behind me to see my companions frozen in fear, and as I look forward, all I see are broken pieces of glass everywhere and the door obliterated. I ask them what has happened, but none answer. Then after a few minutes, Lawrence gathers the courage to explain. When I got angry, the shard’s power kicked in and shielded me within an outer layer of dark glass. It also began summoning unbelievable amounts of shards from behind me and shooting them at unbelievable speeds to the point that it looked like a large beam of energy. When everything was obliterated, the shard removed the outer layer and restored my conscious self.
They believed such a thing to be sorcery. I told them that Zephyr did as well, but he saw good in such a thing. Edsworth looked at me with suspicious eyes and told me: “I don’t know what is worse, being threatened by the king, or being saved by the devil.” I discarded his statement, as I know that his dire situation isn’t helping his mental state. I tell them that we must move on. They hesitate, but decide to follow me for the time being.
As we enter this chamber, I finally realize who this wanderer is. He was me. Before I started my journey, I sought an anonymous entrance into the empire, since I knew I would not be welcome. I managed to find out about this place. Here is where things got strange. After I left here, I lost all memory of this place. As I look around, I finally realize something. I got the shard from here. This is the source of the magical items that we have been using all this time. It is the reason for the successes and failures we’ve faced. When I was young, I thought a small tiny shard of unknown material would net me gold, but it got me more than I wanted.
As I look, I also find one more empty slot. I assume this is the spot where the gem Jonathan wields was found. Finally, above both of them, was a mask. I remember when I found these three items, I couldn’t get the gem out of its pedestal, only the shard. The guardian then appeared and told me that only those who are able to wield the shard or the gem get to touch the mask.
Immediately I faced my two companions and told them: “Listen to me, Gentlemen, do not in anyway touch that mask, even if your life depends on it. If you do touch that mask, it will warp your entire body and mind to a point of never-ending insanity and despair. This mask is what Jonathan was looking for and he used me as a means to locate it, but why not get it himself?” Lawrence spoke up softly: “To not dirty his hands? To see what would happen if you went in first?” Edsworth then angrily spoke up and said: “Then why would he risk it if it might be in Galterius’s favour? Why send me with you as an objective? This doesn’t add up, all of this.” It is true. Sending Edsworth with me would only hinder his goal.
The Guardian of All then spoke up and said: “That’s because he doesn’t have guardians like you do. Even his mother didn’t have guardians, she had you. No one knows the true capabilities of such items except you, since I’m the only one possesses the knowledge needed to use such items. The thing he doesn’t know is that this mask right here is a trap. The Ancient ones who created these sacred items never wanted anyone with a lust for power and greed to possess such items. Since they are masters of the mind, they immediately knew that anyone who had a drop of power from the shard or gem would try the mask. It’s effects, however, are unknown. Last time it was used, both the shard and gem user were killed. I would be careful if I were you. Using it as a weapon against him would prove fatal.”
The Guardian then shoots a harmless beam into my mind and leaves. I don’t know what he did, but I can only assume that it would help me. We left the way we came back into the Gigantic Hallway and made it to the end of it. We opened the Large doors and looked outside the Tomb, only to find a Barren City of Ash.
Chapter 7: Ascension from Madness
This city is to be my final battleground. I foresaw it during my sleep. My grand-daughter saw it as well. All of it led to this. I do not remember what will happen here. All I remember is that it will be my final battle. Whether I survive or die, I do not know. However, If I am to die, I wouldn’t die laughing. I would steel myself just as I did when I first started. Laughter leads to pride, and pride is the last thing I should feel after all these years.
I tell my companions to stay at these doors and make camp, and that I will scout for anything we can use. It is a city after all. My true goal was to meet Jonathan in the City Square. What is left of it anyway. As I make my way I see the ash covered skeletons of the previous citizens of this city. Their position suggests pain, a tremendous amount of it. Possibly an explosion of such that was able to rip their flesh from the bone in one fleeting moment. Whatever it was, It was very sudden.
I arrive unto the City Square to find Jonathan sitting there. Before I go to him, I ask the Guardian: “The people died of the effects of the mask, am I right? Nothing natural could have caused such an explosion, so it must be.” “Yes it did, so you’d best send those two inside. You can’t protect them here.” He is right, but I am taking that chance. They would get suspicious and would try to help. I certainly don’t want that happening.
I head to Jonathan and introduce myself once more: “Hello Jonathan. Nice of you to visit me here. You probably used the gem to come to this exact point. No one is that fast.” “Did you find what I was looking for?” “Oh yes, here it is!” I wave the mask around just to taunt him into wanting it. “Give it to me. You are about to die now anyways, no use in having power in death.” “You’re quite right! Here, have it! I insist!” “What’s the catch? Why are you giving me this so willingly?” “Consider this a family present. After all, I am your Great Grandfather.”
“Oh you poor fool, I do not care for family bonds. The power in my hands will elevate me to godhood. Even you can’t stop me. Do you want to know what happened here? A gem user used the mask. He became a titan with unimaginable. The fool, however, managed to self destruct, with the shard user containing the blast within the city, causing it to be way more powerful. It turned people into skeletons. I won’t make that mistake. I shall be superior! Welcome your new lord!”
He put on the mask and his body began to mutate. His muscles grew in size as they glowed in strange colors. When he finally stopped growing, he reached the size of those hallways I passed through. Only then did I realize, I need the combat mode of the Shard. Once I told the Guardian, glass-like black armor as strong as 100 diamonds enveloped me. I can feel power bend to my will. Now that I am willing to use it, the power is now in my control. It is time to duel.
He lunges in my general directed, but I soon jumped away. I used a dark beam emanating from my hands to attack the beast. I cannot think of him as Jonathan anymore. His mind is warped as is his soul. Soon, as I injure it, the beast grows furious, and starts to use light beams. After a while, it results in a class of beams. To unleash my power, I must unlock my restrictions, but knowing that he is my great grandson is killing me. I must find a way.
Then, out of the blue, Lawrence comes to
my side. He pushes me aside, thinking I’m in danger. I run to him and screamed: “You fool! Why would you do such a thing? This is my battle!” “I would never remove myself from the side of the one true king.” The fool doomed himself to die. Soon enough, it became a reality, the beam hit Lawrence and he soon blew up and became stardust in the wind. Rage filled me up. How could I let such an unnecessary death pass me by?
Then, everything grows dark, except I can still see the beast. I see his mind breaking and tearing. I see his eyes covered in darkness. I can hear its screams. It’s voice, partially Jonathan and partially demonic. For a moment, I think that he does not deserve this, but then he stays still and his body disintegrates into ash. I go back to Edsworth. He is passed out, from a blow to the head. It looks like Lawrence had the same idea of keeping Edsworth here in case of danger.
Chapter 8: A salute to those who passed
As we arrive unto Calderone, I tell Edsworth to lay low as I visit the Castle. I arrive at the throne room only to find Jonathan. He looks at me and asks: “I assume that the job is done?” I say yes. He then says: “Then I expect that you left an item there for me to pick up. Anyhow, you made the right decision leaving Edsworth there to fend for himself. When I went to his future, I saw him as king and you were nowhere to be found. Neither was I. Can you imagine this empire being run by such dirt and filth? We are Theobaldians. We live and die with our honor!” I reply: “No. You are wrong. This was completely made up by your idiotic mind. We Theobaldians care for our people. We stand up for the weak and never hold back. To think that we are higher than anyone out there is a disgrace to our family. If you will continue to view us this way, then please, go and fetch your prize. You earned it.”
He leaves with the gem. A puff of red smoke behind him as he evaporates into thin air. I take out the gem from my pocket and show the guards. I tell them: “On the eve that he travels to, he meets his end. I, the next of kin, elect Edsworth to be the King of this Empire. Tommorow, it will be his. Understand?” They nod. I go to Edsworth and tell him that the Castle is his. I leave him shocked. I can’t stay within this Empire any longer. I must guard these items, in hope that no one uses it in the future. When I reach the Temple, I see a lit path way to a large room, with three doorways. After a few moments, I see an image of myself, confused. I realize my role, and I begin to speak: “Calm down, for we are the protectors of this realm...”
The end
Shadow of Memory Page 5
