THE FINAL STRUGGLE
"Master, we've reported a full-frontal assault from the entrance of the temple. The Maple Forces have broken our barrier, they are now fighting our first wave of oblivion guardians!" a rather short being with a weird figure knelt and said.
On the throne, a large, hooded figure sat, an eerie aura besieging him. "Impressive, I'd have never expected them to break in so quickly…Arkarium, Hilla, Magnus, come forth!" the figure commanded.
The three of them hurried towards the Black Mage's throne and knelt. "Yes master?" they said in unison.
"Muster our forces and engage in a counter attack against them. Leave no survivors," the Black Mage coldly spoke, however commanding in tone.
"Right away!" The three commanders then scattered and each commanded their own army to launch a counter attack.
"If they do manage to get in, I will have what's in store for them," the Black Mage murmured, releasing an evil laughter afterwards.
"This is it, Empress," Neinheart turned to look at Cygnus. She had been nervous ever since embarking on this journey of possibly no return, but Neinheart could see that her confidence had grown quite significantly. The throne room in front of them looked majestic yet menacing at the same time. Around them, Knights, Adventurers and Resistances were busy fighting Specters, Wyverns, Monks and other minions. "It's now or never," he continued.
"Oh you can stand here to look all you want, I'm going in to teach him a lesson or two," Demon bellowed and busted into the room. "Me too!" Phantom said and followed.
"Let's waste no time," said Cygnus. The other thirteen agreed and followed in.
They entered to find Demon angrily staring at the Black Mage, who seemed cool and a tad too calm sitting on his throne.
"It's over now. We've taken out all your commanders. Your death will complete the circle," Demon said, and charged towards the Black Mage, dark bolts rippling from his mace. Unfortunately, an infinitely evil force started to well up around the Black Mage, so powerful yet seemingly insignificant that Demon's charge slowed down even though he charged with full force. The others, seeing Demon having trouble, started attacking as well. None of the attacks got past the barrier, leaving the Black Mage virtually unharmed. Yet the Black Mage did not react, still calmly sitting on his throne.
"Hehehe, Demon, oh Demon, always so naive, so ignorant…" the Black Mage chuckled as Demon was knocked back by the repelling force.
"Just die!" bellowed Demon as he charged again.
"Hahahaha, listen Demon, just give up. If you think numbers can defeat me, think again." Projectiles, bullets and arrows fired at him. Blades swung at him. Yet the Black Mage still sat there, still unfazed and unharmed.
"Demon, do you remember how I treat all those that used to betray me? Do you?" the Black Mage said in his cold voice, "Surprisingly I must say I admire your effort. You managed to gather our arch-nemeses to face me. Such brilliant work, I have never doubted myself when I made you my commander. Perhaps I should have ordered for your kin's death much, much more earlier."
The barrier repelled a few more projectiles and blocked a few more blades.
"I am a very merciful person, Demon. I remember all that you have done to me and for me. Therefore, I would offer a chance for you to redeem your honour. Serve me once again, Commander Demon, or face my eternal wrath."
Demon ignored his former master's words and rained dark energies on the barrier with hopes to find a loophole instead.
"Don't you remember the good times we had, Demon? We used to crush our enemies together, rendering them helpless, despaired and desperate. Don't you remember all these, Demon? And look at who you've brought along now, all with the same desperation to stop us yet helpless at the same time. Wouldn't it be better to see them twitch painfully below our feet, eager to die but unable to?"
The Black Mage suddenly waved his right arm. Thousands of dark chains struck down upon whoever stood before his throne, chaining all of them to the ground, except Demon who was stuck in a kneeling position instead.
"Just what do you want?" yelled Demon.
"Your powers are weak and impure. Your friends are weak and helpless. But over the years of being trapped in ice I have yet again unlocked another realm of immense power, and I am willing to share it with you, Demon. Come back to me, and we shall walk the true path to ultimate power together," the Black Mage replied.
Demon opened his mouth again but no words came out this time. He felt angry, but at the same time like the Black Mage put it, helpless.
"Too hard to decide? I shall make it easier for you," said the Black Mage.
He raised his left arm. A void formed at the floor, sending the throne room into seizures. At the flick of his hand, the void started to glow and twirl, trapping everyone in a whirlpool, except Demon. At that instant, Demon felt the power and energy around him so strong, so infinite, yet strangely so friendly.
But as the void seemed ever so ready to swallow all the lesser beings, it collapsed to form a rift with a brilliant blue colour, power radiating from within. The cooling sensation Demon felt was no more, but a force so overwhelming that if the bindings on Demon were not strong enough, he too would have been swallowed.
Then came a strong outpour of light that blinded Demon. As he fought to persevere through power of such intensity, he could faintly hear the words of his former master. It was the first time Demon felt a hint of surprise from the Black Mage's words.
'No! This is not supposed to be happening! This cannot happen!'