Author Note: Hey everyone, hope you were excited for chapter 12, I decided to name it Spera, it is Latin for Hope. I know I am cheesy. Anyway I was excited for this chapter to see what everyone thought so far of the story, we have come so far already, and the journey isn't even close to the end. I was curious though, what chapter do you lovely readers think is the best so far? Feel free to add it in your reviews or Private Message me, I love talking to you all haha. Also I will be taking a break this weekend on Nov. 11 to answer any questions or talk with any of you readers so feel free to message me. Well you came for the story not to talk with this silly author, enjoy! You're all lovely readers!
Finn let out a sigh as he heard Phoebe and Marceline flinging rude whispers at each other as they followed behind him. Finn walked up to a dock covered in traps as old memories filled his thoughts, then it turned sour when he looked into the water, a trail of death and corruption leading from the shore near the gauntlet dock to an island covered in an ominous green haze. Finn turned around to receive nervous looks from his fiery companion. "Finn I don't like this, I will die if I land in the ocean!" Phoebe exclaimed as her body was physically shaking. Finn looked towards Marceline who just gave him a silent shake of her head. "I won't be able to get us that far with my transformation, I'm not a fan of tans after all Finny." Phoebe let out an agitated groan as she blasted a fireball at a nearby iceberg, blowing flaming socks into the air before the carpet bombed the ocean surface.
Finn at that moment felt gears click in his head as a plan formed, he took a pair of binoculars out of his pack and scooped out the iceberg covered lake until he spotted the key to his plan. "Marceline chuck me over onto that iceberg and pull me back with this rope." Finn instructed as he tied a long rope around his waist before he was picked up by Marceline in a demonic form, being hurled through the air before he knew it. He could feel the wind blow against his face before he flipped into the air, drawing Soul Sword and driving it into the iceberg as he slide down the side, the ice cracking all over the island of ice as Marceline began to pull on the rope pulling Finn and the Iceberg as Finn held tightly onto his sword, keeping himself pinned to the Ice.
"That was a ridiculously risky plan." Marceline and Finn chuckled at Phoebe's complaints as Finn went and grabbed an old flamethrower and pack from under the dock, turning on the gas stream. Finn then began to sweep a steady flame from the old weapon toward the iceberg, melting it in the water until the ice released it's time frozen prisoner, a metallic armored boat. "This should do it." Finn stated with a joyful tone as he threw the flamethrower onto the ground and jumped into the ship.
Finn went into the ships control room, his friends following behind as they heard the boat's engine start up. Finn was operating under a stressful situation. The controls were much more complex than he anticipated, but his fears were lifted when Marceline stood by his side and helped him with the controls, pointing out the throttle and clutches and how they worked before kissing Finn on the check. Finn with the new found knowledge from his lover began to steer the boat well pushing the throttle up, causing the boat's motor to roar to life with a trial of smoke. "This hunk of junk still has life in it thankfully, hold on ladies." Finn called out with a laugh as he pushed the throttle all the way, causing the boat to jerk as it speed across the water like knife through butter. Finn could see the trail the Lich left behind clearly through the stained cracked glass windshield of the boat. Meanwhile Marceline and Phoebe were sitting on metal benches close by, preparing their weapons by inspecting them for a quick minute as Finn drove the armored vessel across the water to the ruin covered wasteland that the Lich controlled. "Shit! Brace for impact!" Finn yelled out as a boulder crashed into the water in front of the boat, barely missing it as the ripple shook the boat, causing Finn to curse under his teeth as Phoebe gripped her weapon tightly in her fiery arms. "I guess we were expected. I would hold on to something, this is gonna get crazy!" Finn then saw another boulder come hurling from the wasteland, then another, and so many more. Finn's mouth hung agape at the sheer number of projectiles, but then he had an idea. "Marceline take the controls!" Finn barked out this command before his lover could reply, he was out the door and climbing to the front of the boat. Finn drew Soul Sword and took a deep breath as the first volley of boulders grew close. "Finn!" Exclaimed both Marceline and Phoebe, their voices full of concern until their eyes grew like saucers at the site before them. His blade clashed against the boulders, slicing into them with so much force that they shattered into mere pebbles in the air before Finn moved on to destroying any boulder that drew near. From Marceline's view it seemed as if he was dancing effortlessly across the boat as he destroyed each boulder, causing a hail of pebbles to fill the air around him, making him seem even more beautiful in Marceline's eyes. They grew closer to the shoreline by the second, excitement and hope filling all of the adventurers' hearts. Suddenly a rapid number of whistle sounds filled the air, Finn raised his eyebrow and looked around for the source of the noise, until his jaw hung agape from the source of the noise. A volley of over a thousand arrows was flying towards their boat.
Finn fell backwards on the boat's metallic surface, struggling to get back on his feet. "Shit, I can't stop all of these arrows!" His mind was in a panic at the arrows drew closer, it felt as if Finn was watching a storm of metal fall upon them, as the arrows drew closer Finn closed his eyes, fear of what would happen next.
"This is a pathetic attack." Finn's eyes tore open as he heard Phoebe's remark, she was standing a few feet behind Finn as she took a deep breath and spread her arms apart, a large sphere of fire growing around the boat effortlessly, as if the boat was inside a miniature ball of light. Phoebe let out a smug laugh as she balled her hands into fists, causing the sphere to shockwave outward, sending arrows flying back or melting them entirely. Finn was awestruck at the sight before him. "Thank Glob Phoebe came, I guess she has gained a lot of talent after all these years, even if she was possessed." Finn was pushed out of his thoughts as the boat rocked wildly as it drove through the sandy shoreline like a knife through butter.
Finn looked in front of the boat to see they were surrounded by an army of undead, but Finn's eyes were focused on the demonic ghostly figure floating in the back with glowing green eyes in pitch black sockets. "Lich!" Finn screamed as he recklessly dove off the boat, fusing his soul further with Soul Sword, the chains slithering up to his elbow as he sped through the horde, destroying groups within seconds. Sadly the more Finn slayed the more that would rise up in numbers in the back. It felt as if the island was a Dead World in its own as Finn continued to strike down his enemy's minions in a frenzy of anger. "I refuse to let you live any longer! I will not let you harm anyone else in this world!"
Finn felt the ground break under him before he was tossed into the air, an undead giant emerging from the ground, sending its allies tumbling as it roared to life, any flesh on its corpse loose and rotted. "Shit." Finn jumped off a large chunk of earth that tumbled through the air, getting distance between him and his new foe as the wraith of the Lich glided across the landscape, Finn could swear the monster was grinning smugly at Finn, which angered him further. "You… Fucking monsters! Bring it on!" Finn screamed as the chains slowly wrapped around Finn's arm further causing him to let out an inaudible scream of pain. It felt as if his soul was being devoured by a pack of wolves as the sword fused with Finn further, but Finn refused to fall to the pain, his vision blurry he stood ready to battle an army alone as his companions tried their best to fight their way to Finn, with little success before a new wall of undead stood in their way.
Finn's breathing increased as sweat went down his brow, the pain was unbearable, the only way he could describe it was that it felt like he was a doll being crushed in the hands of a merciless child. Finn fought against the pain, urging his body to continue as he burst forward, towards the giant, slashing down undead in single blows as he ran at his new obstacle. A large bony hand swung down towards Finn as he sliced through the rusty helmet of an undead soldier. Finn couldn't escape the situation fast enough, he absorbed the attack with his sword, launching him off his feet from the sheer force. Finn quickly caught his footing and swung his blade down on a rotting corpse that was reaching out to drag him to his end. "There is no end to this horde in sight, and I'm separated from the girls to do anything. Shit, if the Lich gets to the well then it will lead to a horrifying war for all life in Ooo. I can't fuse anymore with Soul Sword or else it might cost my life… Damnit what would Jake do?" Finn's thoughts swarmed, his emotions bubbling like the broth of a stew as he imagined the horrible outcomes. He was completely unaware of the Soul Swords bottom most ruin turn blood red as the blade's aura fading into existence as a slight haze. Finn then shook his head and held the blade with both hands as he let out a battle cry, going from groups of undead, cutting them down in seconds again before he ran at the giant, dodging a stomp from its rotting foot and then slashing its foot clean off within seconds. "I can't let them die, all the things we have been through everything we fought for, and the Lich just plans to destroy all of that!" Finn's thoughts filled with anger and rage before he jumped incredibly high into the air, slamming his swords blade down on the giant's bony neck, decapitating and sending the creature back to the Dead World it came from. Finn still remained unaware of the ruins shift in color as each one began to turn a boiling red as Finn rushed after the Lich, cutting down anything that stood in his way without mercy and little restraint. Finn easily escaped the horde and ran towards the direction of the Lich's well, stopping at the entrance to an undefended subway station. Finn heard an explosion from the direction he came from, he turned in time to see a massive ball of flames explode in the distance. "Guess they can handle themselves. Either that or they are killing each other." Finn let out a low laugh, he wasn't in the mood to laugh, but he knew that it would help him stay calm. He began to walk down into the subway the air musty and smelt of death, Finn could barely hold back vomiting as he continued down, coming up to an ash filled room. Finn stepped further into the room, ignoring the subway trains, torn clothes, and corpses that filled the room. Finn stood in front of a circler that lead to the bottom of the Lich's lair, where the Lich's well of power rested, waiting for its master's return. Finn took a deep breath and jumped down into the hole, grabbing onto hand holds as he went down landing across from the Lich who stood near an empty well of power and was now a large skeletal wraith, green demonic flames surrounding its body as it glared down at Finn with its menacing eyes. "Why hello child, it has been a long time hasn't it? How ironic we find each other in this scenario again, the hero coming to stop the villain as they face off. Sadly this will be your end child." A black miasma flowed out of the Lich's mouth as he spoke.
Finn took a deep breath as he glared back into the Lich's eyes. "Well this little scenario is going to be the last Lich, because this is where you die off, forever." Finn spoke bravely as he held Soul Sword tightly in his hands. The Lich laugh maniacally before he spoke in a crazed joy filled tone. "Sadly my boy it won't be that easy, you came to fight me alone, without a single one of your friends. Were you afraid they would die? Well no matter. It is a shame to burst your heroic bubble, but I can't die boy." The Lich grinned as its burning green eyes blazed brightly as it spoke again. "As you have noticed every universe has a Lich and it always wishes to bring death and destruction, it is how the world works. I am a means for the universe to cleanse, I am eternal boy, a cog in a great machine. Sadly this machine will be broken very soon. They are tearing through the multiverse like a starving animal in search for more power."
Finn's head was spinning as he took it what the Lich said. "What can I do if there is no end to the Lich? Why is this sick and twisted game allowed to persist? Isn't good supposed to triumph over evil! Does it even matter? The Element Creators will just cause more death than the Lich won't they?" Finn then let out a chuckle, the runes on the Soul Sword now completely blood red as the weapon's magical aura brightly highlighted the blade in a white magic. Finn had heard enough, he would not stand for the Lich's existence, even if the monster was meant to exist in the world, Finn refused to let it continue. "It is destiny child." Finn laughed at what the Lich said before he retorted with a gleam of hope in his eyes. "Then I will destroy this destiny and create my own, for I refuse to let you destroy all shred of hope!" Finn then ran around the empty well toward the Lich who laughed, blasting beams of fiery green magic at Finn. The Lich was caught off guard when his attacks were destroyed without any effort by Finn merely slashing at them. The Lich quickly composed himself as he summoned a necromantic blade created from millions of beings he killed. The Lich blasted fire at Finn once more who was closing the gap easily and stopping his attacks. The Lich had enough as he grew frustrated, he took his blade and slammed it down towards the human that stood in his way, a vertical wave of green fire blasting forth from the Lich's blade, Finn quickly moved out of the way as the wave of fire slashed down the center of his path. Finn took the initiative and jumped towards the ceiling using the enhanced superhuman strength that his sword gave him. He slammed into the ceiling on his feet, standing upside down as the ceiling cracked from the sheer force, Finn then propelled himself off the ceiling, and hurtling towards the Lich who blocked Finn's sword with his weapon, yet the empowered Soul Sword pierced through the necromantic blade, shattering it in the Lich's hands before Finn jumped to safety.
The Lich was infuriated, roaring demonically in a rage as it blasted black flames towards the human, a fog of miasma flowing from the monster's mouth. "Die mere mortal! Die with your hope!" Finn ran away from the flames, recognizing them from Crystal Citadel as burning eternally. Finn's escape was cut off though by the Lich's Miasma of death, corning him between a wall of fire and a fog of death as the Lich laughed. "Say your prayers human! After you die you will be joined by the rest of your pathetic friends! I think I will start with the daughter of Hunson first!" Finn glared toward the Lich in a threating fury as the fog and flames grew closer. "I will kill you a million times for that threat." Finn spoke in an emotionless rage as he took out the remains of the demon blood sword and pressed them against the Soul Sword, a blinding flash of light filling the entire room. "What the hell is that!?" The Lich screamed as he shielded his eyes from the blinding light coming from Finn's sword.
As the light faded away Finn began to open his eyes, they soon turned to sparkle filled orbs as he stared at the enhanced form of his sword. The sword's blade now had red demon blood metal plating bolted onto it, the metal covered in the same runes that ran up the fuller of the Soul Sword, the length of the blade was extended slightly as well. When Finn looked at the diamond shaped guard he could see a red gem on the left point on the diamond, three spherical indents existed on the other points of the diamond now. "Guess that means I can have a max of four sword fusions huh?" Finn let out a chuckle as he slashed his new sword in practice, a red trial effect left behind as the sword moved at high speeds. "Well it's about time we ended this." Finn spoke with confidence as he jumped to the ceiling again, but this time stabbed his sword deep into the concrete, causing it to crack and break apart as the sword destroyed the structure as if it was paper. Finn then jumped quickly out of the way as the light from the sun above shined through, The entire structure had broken apart and collapsed inward from Finn's attack. The Fire was now covered in tons of brick and rubble well the miasma of death faded from the open air. The Lich stood baffled before it prepared another attack. He was too slow though as Finn appeared in a blur of movement cutting the Lich in half, causing the undead to scream in pain. It had never experienced this pain until it realized the horror of what happened. The entire left side of its body disintegrated from the magic infused blade. Yet the physical pain isn't what made the Lich suffer, it was the feeling of its very soul being destroyed and stabbed millions of times over. The Lich knew what was happening and its voice trembled with fear, a fear it never had known before until now. "Your blade… It… Its destroying my soul, not only that… It is also eradicating me from the universe. You're changing fate… Are you even human child!?" The Lich reached out towards Finn's face to commit one last act in its brutal mission to end all life.
Finn felt as if time slowed down as the bony hand of the Lich drew near, but then it stopped and Finn could swear he saw tears flow from the Lich's eye sockets. "It has been so long… So many deaths, screams and cries… Yet now the voices are silent. Child, Finn. There are many hardships ahead of you, but you have proven already to be the one to save this world. So many times again and again. You humans were always the most difficult to kill, even one of you could scrape together a sense of hope and become an impossible force. Yet you child are much greater than your species. Your soul is greater than any in this universe. The Forsaken One. A mortal with the power to change even destiny itself. A mortal with the power to slay a god… Beware though Finn, you face a much greater threat than just me, the Lich King… Thank you... Finn the Human." The Lich's eyes became empty as the Soul Sword completely destroyed the Lich, disintegrating his body into white light that faded away.
"Finn stood silent in the lair of his defeated archenemy, staring up at the ground with a dark look on his face, the enhanced Soul Sword in his hands well the chains slid down his arm smoothly until they were back to normal length off of his arm. Finn could hear the calls of his lover and friend after a few minutes. He guessed that all the undead under the Lich's plague died off with their master gone. Finn looked up at the blue sky above with a smile on his face. Filled with a new feeling, a rising emotion that inspired him to push on, Hope.