by Jack Crosby
They failed.
In a last-ditch effort, Tiamat brokered a meeting with a leader from both the old and new generations. It was decided after days of arguing and pleading that the summons would leave as long as a lineage of the old generation was kept. Tiamat spoke passionately that one day the bloodline could be needed to save Alfheim. In secret, the new generation agreed to the terms.
Time passed and certain facts were as stories were muddied. Soon, the war and the bloodshed was completely forgotten and the summons became creatures of legends. It was only until recently that Gibraltar learned that Tiamat put certain conditions in place for those in need to call upon the power of a summon. Tiamat was a bit too clever for her own good; when conditions were met, the summon was forced to do the bidding of the summoner.
Her fail safe backfired. Only a Skylonian of pure blood could call a summon. She never foresaw that one would turn their back on their beloved home…
****
“Victor is Skylonian?”
The question didn't even make sense to ask. The rigid general from Gibraltar was public enemy number one with me. How could he be a Skylonian? Zara seemed to be struggling with the same question.
“I always suspected a Skylonian was working with Gibraltar to break my enchantment, but it only makes sense it is Victor. But as to who or how? I'm afraid I wasn't paying all that close attention during exile.”
I witnessed his summon of Typhon firsthand. “This gives me more reason to confront the bastard,” I seethed.
The star map focused its light against the western wall. A door with a dragon emblem on it swung open. “The temple is shaped like a star. To get the reward, we need to overcome each arm of it,” Zara explained.
We followed the light through the dragon door, which slammed behind us. Standing in the middle of the room was the shadow of a dragon.
“Bahamut,” Zara whispered.
“Just an echo,” he replied.
We both stood hand in hand silent as the echo of Bahamut watched us. “Tiamat, Skylonian, in order to reach the Star Temple's inner sanctum, you will be tasked with three challenges. Intelligence, trust, and strength - do you accept?”
“Is this the ancient evil you spoke of?” I asked.
“No, this is just an echo as he said. It's neither good nor evil.”
In that case… “We accept your challenge. This temple belongs to my people.”
The echo laughed. “Good answer.”
He took off into the air, hovering just above us. I wasn't sure if he was going to attack, so I prepared myself. Instead, he asked a question. “Why do you seek the truth in this temple?”
“He's asking you, not me,” Zara said.
That was a fair question to ask, in my opinion. “I'm the last Skylonian. I seek the truth to honor my people.”
“What will you do with this knowledge?”
“I will use it to eliminate threats to Alfheim.”
Echo Bahamut considered that response. “Are you willing to die to see this quest through?”
“If I'm willing to kill, I'm willing to die.”
He turned to Zara. “You found quite the champion to mark.”
The dragon didn't give Zara chance to respond. He flew up and disappeared in a puff of black smoke. The tension lessened without the echo glaring down at us with his red ember eyes.
The door unlocked behind us and swung open. Before we left, a treasure chest revealed itself where Echo Bahamut first was waiting. When I opened it, there was another piece of equipment, lunar gi.
“Three of the four pieces. The set can't be worn without all four,” Zara explained.
That didn't help me at all. With a sigh, I left back into the star map room with Zara right on my heels. It didn't take long to see that the eastern most wing was lit up and ready for us to enter. Just as we reached the door, an unexpected encounter happened.
Zara still wasn't an active party member. It was just me and three of those weird star buggers. I wasn't in the mood for such a pointless battle and made it be known.
I took the first one out right away: Drakken uprising
Zezzlebug two runs away
Good I thought. That meant one less critter to exterminate. The third and final one played it safe; Defend
Unfortunately, that wouldn't matter much; Slash
Three quarters of its HP bar disappeared in one attack. I expected it to run away but it didn't. My speed stat was better than its, so one more time; Slash
A little experience and some gold later, I was free to continue. “Going to be a bystander, huh?”
“This is your journey,” Zara said happily.
It sure didn't feel like it. Still, the two of us went into the eastern room. Waiting for us again was the Echo Bahamut, floating there as if he was disappointed it took us too long to reach him. What did he have to do?
His voice rumbled. “Your knowledge is true, but is your trust?”
“My trust? In what?”
The shadow dragon snorted. “Your trust in the summon you are spiritually bonded to. To do what you wish, you need a powerful ally, one who has a dark past.”
Zara didn't say anything. She just stood there, ready for whatever to happen to begin. The echo roared and I was whisked away into a memory.
Unlike the one in the star map room, I was very much a part of this. Across from me was Zara, but not the Zara I knew. She looked feral, untamed.
“Skylonian, your generation has ruined so much. I've already killed the others; now it's time to slaughter you!”
I didn't think it was possible, but the battle against Zara began. “I think you've got the wrong guy,” I sputtered.
“Shut up Dontaveous!”
That name, it was a play on my father's name. He was named after a great hero and my own name was derived from both. Oh my lord, could I be in the footsteps of one of my ancestors?
Tiamat (because this wasn't Zara) continued as the battle stalled. “You would betray your own father, would you? Summons have given this continent hope and you would waste it.”
The time for talk ended on her terms. Tiamat opened the battle with one of her trademark fire attacks: Firaga
I expected to be burned to a crisp, but was surprised that the attack only did mild damage. When it was my go around, my skill list was not my own. It seemed for the purpose of this memory l, I was fully immersed in my role.
Skylonian stab
The large battle sword I was equipped with lurched forward and put Tiamat on her ass. She didn’t stay down long before hopping back up. As her turn rolled back around, there was an evil glitter in her eyes; Inferno
The flames engulfed me, hitting hard and placing the status effect of Heat on me. That was a nasty status, slowly sucking my HP down as smoldering ashes covered me. I didn't have any items to help with this other than potions. I didn't want to waste a turn at this juncture, so I decided to deal with the consequences as they came.
I scrolled through the skills to see what I could use. Interestingly enough, at the bottom there was something listed I'd never seen before. Thinking what the hell, I gave it a shot; Plea
Both of us relaxed, pausing the fight. “Tiamat, listen to me,” I called.
“What could you possibly say to stop me from killing you?”
I had to remember, it wasn't me she was taking to, it was Dontaveous. It was imperative that I responded with something that would've simmered down her hostilities.
Mustering up my best authoritative voice, “We can make this work, if you're willing to negotiate.”
Fire erupted from her mouth. “Why would I give up my position of strength to negotiate?”
Think Dante, think! It hit me. “Ifrit and Shiva are losing their fight; do you want this to go all for naught?”
This must've been new information. “The new generation is defeating them? That should be impossible,” she muttered.
“It is possible and it is happening. We can forge a legacy to protect the future!
Isn't that worth it?” I asked.
Well done, Echo Bahamut rumbled inside my head.
The battle scene drifted away, bringing me back to the chamber. “You slaughtered Skylonians,” I said.
“Much like your crusade against Gibraltar, I did what I thought was necessary,” Zara answered.
“Can you trust her? There is a reason they call her the devil dragon.”
Bahamut was really testing our trust here. It would've been easy for me to be a hypocrite, even for something that happened hundreds of years ago. Maybe at the beginning of my adventure I would've been hot headed enough to do so. Today, I'd seen what it takes to survive and that what happened yesterday doesn't define who someone is today.
The answer was easy. “I trust Tiamat completely.”
“Very well,” he responded and once again left us alone with our thoughts.
“I wasn’t sure how you'd react.”
Zara knew this would be happening. She'd been holding back a lot during these side excursions, but it was coming to light finally. I was glad she left me figure things out slowly; it really felt like she'd been protecting me and that was appreciated.
“You don't need to wonder anymore, do you?”
She walked over and kissed me. “Thank you. No more secrets, okay?”
“Does this mean I'll remember at the end of the journey this time?”
“Unfortunately, that's not within my powers to do. If you remember anything, pester Odin; he can help,” she advised.
Like last time, a chest appeared in the center of the room. This one was much grander than the last. Eager, I ran over and opened it. A large sword floated out to me.
::Equipped Star Blade - max stats 10%::
::Equipped lunar set - defense plus 42 points::
::Learned - Supernova::
The dark teal armor encased me, reacting to the sword that came to me. They each sparkled a bit, like actual stars were engrained in the armor. It was quite possibly the most amazing armor I'd ever seen.
Zara nodded with approval. “That is armor worthy of a Drakken Knight.”
I felt invincible. “Tell me I'll come to with all of this.”
“This is yours, your birthright.”
Intelligence and trust challenges completed. All that was left was the strength. With this armor and sword, I felt almost unbeatable. Whatever this Echo of the summon Bahamut had in store for me moving forward, I was ready. It was time to head back out and go down the final corridor.
I had to deal with two more encounters of the now named zezzlebugs which were no match for me. As I entered the northern most chamber, anticipation was running high to see what Bahamut could throw at me. Just like last time, he seemed annoyed it took extra time to get there.
“This is your final test. Should you expect to defeat the disease that has taken over this shrine, you must show me your worth,” he explained.
“How do I do that?”
“You survive!” He lifted off high once again, but did not disappear. “Show me your strength!” he roared.
The scene shifted into the battle phase. Bahamut was already positioned to attack; Galactic blaze
Never before had I seen such an attack! The maw of the shadow titan ripped open, red and orange light broke free. It felt like the entire star was powering this attack and when it was unleashed, I didn't see a way to survive. This reminded me of the stories Rex would relive when talking about Tiamat's attack.
But dying wasn't an option.
As the blast rained down on me, I refused to give in. I felt my defense dig in, not allowing Bahamut to see my HP bar go to zero. It was never ending, however. I didn't know how much longer I could hold off the inevitable.
Then the attack subsided.
I survived.
Zara looked amazed and Echo Bahamut nodded in approval. “Prince Dante of Skylonus, you are worthy.”
The dragon didn't do his vanishing act this time. Instead, he landed close to me. Zara joined me as well. “For passing my tests, I grant you three spoils; the first is my services as your personal summon.”
“Are you serious?” Zara asked.
“Just because the real Bahamut stopped living many moons ago doesn't mean he stopped believing. I am proof of that.”
::Learned - Echo of Bahamut::
He wasn't finished there, either. “The second gift I give it unlocking your true potential with Tiamat; use the skill well.”
::Learned - Tiamat's revenge::
I couldn't believe what was happening! This was beyond my wildest dreams. “Your final reward is inner strength. Use the power of your ancestors well. No more will you be burdened by circumstance; your true might will be seen for all!”
::Learned - Fury of Skylonus::
My skill chart was full. Nothing I possessed before even came close to what I was capable of now. “The final stone is ahead. With it, you will be granted the power to end the bloodshed. But be warned, a demon door blocks the way and behind it, the greatest challenge the two of you will face together.”
Bahamut roared one last time as he turned into a dark light. His spirit joined with mine; he was now my ally against Gibraltar and Victor.
::Zara joined the party::
A save point revealed itself at the back of the room, beside the only open exit.
**Cut Scene**
Gibraltar Castle
“Keep up the attack, Kira,” Rex shouted.
The battle was on!
Sweep kick
The attack whipped the guard's head back. Rex followed up with; Power slam
Rex ran up and grabbed the guard, slamming him into the ground with strength and speed. Rex’s fighting style was so different from Dante's. I wondered if he was responsible for teaching the young prince.
Of course he was!
The guard was almost down for the count. Rico finished the job; Cat slash
At our current levels; twenty-six, thirty-four, and twenty-five respectively, we were blazing our way through the castle towards the exit. Moody off the castle's elite forces were long gone. Rumor had it they were headed to the Southern Continent to begin King Victor's final steps towards complete dominion over our world.
We needed a hero.
We needed Dante.
“Kira, up ahead is the hangar bay. We sneak aboard one of the airships and hijack it. Until then, we only fight as necessary,” Rex said.
Rico was pleased with that. “We've gotten into too many battles as it is,” he snickered.
“I thought we've done well getting to this point,” I countered.
Rex stopped us from talking. “Look, something doesn't feel right. The paratroopers are packing up everything.”
His observation was accurate. “Are they abandoning Gibraltar?”
“That's a good question, Kira.”
“A question none of you filth will get the answer to,” a man said as he walked up, appearing from the other side of an equipment rack.
“Scrivens,” Rex growled.
“Skylonian scum,” the Gibraltar general spat.
“Kira, take Rico and run; this battle is mine.”
Scrivens laughed; this was all a joke to him. “Where is she going to go? The base is under my command.”
Rex ignored him. “Tell Dante he is truly the last Skylonian.”
I didn't know what he was talking about until he lunged for the rack Scrivens had used as his hiding spot. Rex grabbed a thermal grenade, one of those awful tools Gibraltar used to kill many people at once. He waved Rico and I to run as he detonated it. We maybe had five seconds to sprint as he reached over and fell on Scrivens.
The explosion was deafening.
In the ensuing chaos, Rico and I boarded an airsip undetected. We cried ourselves to sleep in the small hold we wedged ourselves in.
“We will avenge you, Rex,” I sobbed.
****
We reached the save point.
Save Point 2; Disc 2
Dante (lvl 25), Zara (lvl
36)
Once saved, we entered the next chamber expecting a judgment door encounter. What we found instead was the door in ruins. Bits and parts of the guardian were everywhere; a rather gruesome scene.
That wasn't even the worst of it.
Moments later, a death howl rattled the room. Both Zara and I gripped on to each other as the Star Temple shook. What just died was incredibly powerful. That begged the question, who killed it?
“No!” Zara gasped.
Victor walked into the room, wearing oversized black armor only meant for the most dangerous of battles. In his right hand, the Dark Star; in his left a bright blue stone.
“The sapphire is beautiful, isn't it?” he asked. Then he pointed the Dark Star at us. “I'm going to need the ruby, onyx, and crystal.”
“Never you traitor!” I shouted.
“Traitor? As I informed the Shadow Lord before his death, I was never a Skylonian. I am Victor, soon to be King of Alfheim!”
He was crazy, delusional even. But he was dangerous. “Why are you after these stones? They belong to a true Skylonian.”
“Just because I refuse to accept my mother's blood doesn't mean I will refuse the gifts that come with it. Balthazar is dead, Tiamat,” he finished.
“He won't be missed.”
Something was off; Victor was leading us to the big reveal. “His death was upon him when I entered his temple. I was just days late unfortunately.”
“He told you,” Zara hissed.
“With all four stones, I will be able to take full control of the summons. You will bend to my will.”
“NOOOOOO!” I shouted, rushing at the monster in front of me.
::Zara left the party::
The battle begun.
A one on one duel between me and Victor.
“Let's see if you've improved,” he taunted.
I wasn't fooling around: Supernova
The power of the Star Temple fueled the highest-level fire-based spell. The pure power of a star collapsing on top of Victor was magnificent to watch. As the spell finished, I rubbed my hands with excitement to see Victor.