THE FALSE ONE [CONTINUATION]
The scene flashed back to the scene just like at the very start.
"My general, Lord Kardok… Ah yes, I could remember it like it was yesterday… Even though it was hundreds of years ago! When the war first started, you were charging into battle, preparing for the battle against my lord, Zarok and our army! My general stood at the front…" The skeleton began speaking, in a rather unfamiliar, but nasally accent.
One soldier, rather humane-looking approached the centaur. "I told him that you were approaching the battlefield along with all of the king's men! I asked how we should handle it, I was itching for him to let me charge down, and face you myself!"
But Lord Kardok didn't hesitate. Aiming his longbow, he landed a perfect hit, straight into Sir Daniel's left eye. Fortesque didn't even get close to anyone, and he was already killed, in such a disappointing way, too…
The soldier just watched in shock, before throwing down his helmet in anger. "Instead, he finished you! The hero that everyone loved, gone down first!" In the distance, another man with a crossbow pointed it carefully, before firing. "Shortly after, your canny little friend shot my general thousands of yards away! I, was also done in, by one of the king's men, as I was far too enraged, and couldn't control my anger!"
It ended, and Sir Daniel just blinked with his single eye. He never had seen this person in his life, much less before death at all. "Why are you angry at me about Kardok? The king's second in command, my friend— Er, Canny Tim killed him." Part of Daniel was trying to weasel himself out of the fact he had killed Kardok when Zarok revived them both, provided this soldier didn't know about it.
"I was not angry about my general's death— In fact, I'm actually impressed that he got killed from so far away… Quite the shot your friend has. Anyway! I was infuriated! He, had gotten to you before I could! I planned on fighting you, face-to-face, mano y mano! To dance with blades at our throats! The one constantly spoken of, and praised in Gallowmere… I always hated how you were the talk of the town! I wanted to topple you, and drag your body out to the public, they could see how badly Gallowmere's hero had fallen to the perfect enemy!"
… This guy was psycho to Daniel and Winston, as he began laughing maniacally. "You were jealous?" The ghost asked.
"Of Kardok? No. Of Fortesque? Still no! I simple craved to fight someone everyone considered to be a hero!" Part of Sir Daniel was actually glad that this soldier had no idea most of those things about him were made up, but on the other hand, it may have made him a more…
Well, a foolish adversary. "Isn't this just the perfect twist?! Just during the climax, with the world slowly ending, you think my old general is clashing against you… But instead! Sir Hamis; the great knight, reveals himself at last! Are you more afraid than before, Daniel?!"
"… Not really." Sir Daniel mumbled. "Actually, this is less threatening…"
"W-What?! Why…! Have at you then, jawless cretin!" Swinging the lance, Sir Daniel quickly countered by moving, and using his own to disarm Hamis. He smiled. "Hm! Not bad… I guess I shall rely on this!"
Unsheathing a blade twice the size of Daniel's sword that was at his waist, Dan's eye widened.
A magic sword?! Just like the one Dirk Steadfast gave, and Sir Daniel used?! How did he get ahold of one?!
"En garde! I am not like the other, petty knights you had slain before! Try your hardest!" Charging at him, Sir Daniel raised his blade, blocking the attack and slashing at Hamis in return.
Never before really, had Sir Daniel done a close-combat type of match, and Hamis was clearly showing his experience! "Daniel! Repeatedly press the X button to fend him off and get your hits in!" Able to shove him off, Daniel began to swipe at the other soldier's armor, making him jump back, and recollect himself.
"After all these years, my desires are in reach! Right in front of me! I will ravish in your defeat!" He cackled, stepping over to him slowly. Daniel knew that running away wouldn't solve anything, and using any projectiles or any other items were just blocked off! Even the heavy lance and ray-gun, surprisingly.
Thankfully, his health was half-way down during when the disguise popped off firstly, and it seemed that this was only the latter half of a battle. But even then, Hamis only took a certain amount of damage which wasn't a lot, until a portion of his armor popped off.
When he took another blow to the shoulder, Hamis was exposed further, and a violet glow came from his insides. "That's right! Keep trying to hurt me, damage me!" Holding up the magic sword, a purple tongue formed between his skeletal teeth, and licked the blade. "I burn with fury and excitement from craving such an intense battle!"
… That, kind of creeped out Sir Daniel. Of all the things he has met, a "combat sadomasochist" wasn't one of them.
He had to ignore it and keep fighting. Hamis's movements became faster, most likely because of him losing the weight of his own armor pieces. It wasn't long before he was running straight at Sir Daniel in hopes of catching him distracted. "One of us has to fall eventually! What will fate tilt towards?!" Hamis growled, being shoved back once again, and then being dealt the last couple of swipes with the hero's sword.
For the last time, the front portions of his torso armor were sliced off of his body.
A deep-purple, beating heart coated in flames and magic stood there. "Ggh…! My energy… Exposure…!" Hamis collapsed onto his knees. "No… I knew it from the start, no matter how hard I tried to train for!… That fate would tilt in your favor!" He began breathing, despite not having lungs. "I have reached my limit… I may have lost, yet I am satisfied…" There, he collapsed, without much of another word. Still alive, but not moving much.
Sir Daniel finally went over to the pedestal, where the third piece of the Anubis Stone was. Taking it in his hands—
The entire cathedral began to rumble. Daniel figured it was due to it being rather unstable, such a brawl that took place… And Hamis drilling holes in the walls by accident. That was, until he corrected Fortesque. "This place cannot hold itself well without the Anubis Stone, you realize! I told you… I would take you down with me!" Hamis lied on the floor, smirking, which then melted into a look of pity. "Flee while you can, Fortesque, someone like you should be stopping Palethorn! I suppose, that this is farewell, already…"
Winston and Daniel were practically panicking, but also unsure. "C-can we really just leave this weirdo here?!" The ghost stuttered.
…
Even though he was odd, what with his motivations making little sense and being so thrilled over a fight…
Hamis put up a nice, clean fight. No fancy powers like the Count or the Ripper. He was a good opponent to have, and… Didn't seem like a bad person, maybe. Just bizarre for the most part.
If he hadn't been more honorable than the actual Lord Kardok, or liked giving Sir Daniel a sporting chance… Then the option wouldn't have been there at all.
Sir Daniel lifted up his skeletal body, taking him by surprise. "W-what are you doing?! Put me down! You're not supposed to save me! I'm supposed to go down with pride!" Ignoring Hamis's demands, Daniel began carrying him.
First thing he did was jump down the height where the elevator collapsed. His movements were partly slowed because of the weight from Hamis's armor. Backtracking all the way over to the chandelier room where he once came, Sir Daniel pulled the switch, so the both of them could be carried back up.
As they both reached the entrance where he came from the roof, Sir Daniel made a sprint out while still lugging the body on his shoulder. Explosions came from behind him as he made a jump off of the cathedral as a whole, and kept running, growing weary quickly after all that.
He watched the cathedral collapse on itself for a moment, flames bursting out from the gargoyles and molten lava. After a couple of seconds, he made his way back to Kift's lab, one last time…
THE PROFESSOR'S LAB
"Palethorn's plan has come to an end, Daniel! Congrats on finding three of the Anubis Stone pieces! One more should be… Well, actually, like I said before, if you need anything, please! Feel free to ask the Octomator Captain if you want to go back— Oh! I have a surprise for you as well." Kift then turned over to someone… New, yet somewhat familiar.
A shady-looking, monster-like faced man in a small jacket stood there. "The name's Monty… Montague, t'be more clear. But I think y'knew tha' already, Daniel." He sighed a bit, trying to put on a smile at Sir Daniel, before the professor continued.
"The only place left to go where high activity readings are, is… O-oh no…" Professor Kift shuddered. "The… The Parliament?! What on Earth is Palethorn going to do?! Was the cathedral a ruse?! I thought he was there! Daniel, we must hurry! I don't know what he's plotting now—"
"Most likely t'try and turn the queen into a monster, like wha' happened with the Ripper." Monty pointed out. "Still, hurryin' is a good idea. Unless y'got somethin' still left t'do, Daniel." Sir Daniel paused for a moment…
Was there anything left?
[*Only if you saved Hamis]
"Bah! Enough talking!" Hamis then popped into the scene. "Are you going to fix my armor, or what?! I cannot have myself seem vulnerable!"
Monty scowled at him. "Calm y'britches, I'm gonna try and mend it in a moment! Kift, help me out with this loudmouth." Hamis stuck his tongue out at the man who used to be a spiv, before looking at Sir Daniel.
"Hmph! Saving me… You… Really are that much of a hero, huh?" He then looked at his own waistline, unsheathing the blade that was there. "You know what? Here. Take it! My magic sword… I've had it for years, and it was constantly tempered by Zarok's magic. I don't know what else Palethorn is up to, I only joined to try to stop you… But, since I'm here, I guess this means, I should be on this side of the battlefield… Until we have a proper fight again!"
Sir Daniel's face beamed. Finally, the best weapon besides the ray-gun! It was his! Almost everything was complete!
… But where was the last Anubis Stone piece? He only now had three.
"I know one thing though for certain." Hamis smirked. "I failed to mention it during our battle, which would have been bad of me… Your armor protects your most vulnerable point as well, doesn't it? Near your heart!… But, how long do you intend… On hiding that last page, containing the Soul Demon?"
Last page?… He didn't mean…
MAGIC SWORD FOUND
"Anything else— Oh! Yes, that's right! You know how the captain lady alien can take you back to previous areas in time? Well I, can manage to arrange rematches with you! Whether it be with me, or with someone else you have fought! Do you dare try? Take a look!"
Boss Fight 1: Tyrannosaurus Wrecks
Boss Fight 2: The Human Goose
Boss Fight 3: Mander & Dogman
Boss Fight 4: Lord Kardok?
Boss Fight 5: The Iron Slugger
Boss Fight 6: The Count
Boss Fight 7: The Octomator Captain
Boss Fight 8: Jack the Ripper
Boss Fight 9: Sir Hamis
Boss Fight 10: Mander & Dogman (LOCKED)
Boss Fight 11: LordPalethorn (LOCKED)
Boss Fight 12: ? (LOCKED)
[About Boss Rush]
"You can't do that now! Come back when you've fought every last threat!"
[Battle of Gallowmere?]
"Have I ever slain anyone in battle?… Uh… No, actually… What's with that look?! I never had the chance to!"
[Compliment]
"What?! FLATTERY?! Are you… Coming onto me?! We are enemies! I know I am amazing, but view me only as an horrible opponent, nothing else!"
… With that, Sir Daniel turned his attention back to Kift.
[About Sir Hamis]
"Honestly, he did a good job at putting on the Kardok act appearance-wise, but… I guess his personality stuck out too much, hm? Funny thing about when you brought him back here… He says he doesn't actually want to avenge Kardok, he actually hated him and did training solo! What a strange fellow he is…"
[About the Soul Demon?]
"H-how did you learn about… Th-that?… Palethorn wants to use the demon, but the page to summon him is missing… I also hear that if one is to kill so many innocent souls in a bloody chalice, that they'd be granted with his power and armor, at the price of their body and soul! Frightening, isn't it? Lucky for the world, none of that happened!… Though, I wonder if Palethorn knows about the fact he has to give up himself to bring the demon forth…"
[About Zarok and the Soul Demon]
"As much of a fiend as he was I read, it was a good move on his part to not summon the Soul Demon! It's too much even for him to handle, I read! Good thing, too, your battle against the horrible sorcerer years ago would have been much harder!"
[Leave for the Parliament]
"Are you sure? Have you stocked up on everything? Monty isn't a spin anymore, so he won't charge you if you see him over there… Honestly, Monty, you're much faster than you look at times!" Professor Kift seemed… Happy. Not a nervous wreck like usual. Perhaps Kiya being not killed in this timeline, Planum being alive, and Montague coming back was making him feel whole again.
"Hey now, Hamilton… It's a trade secret. When y'go through every alleyway in Kensington, y'eventually find out all the routes. Try it maybe." Monty chuckled. "Or not, don't want y'gettin' hurt, mate."
Kiya then looked at Sir Daniel. "Sir Daniel. When you return… Uh… How do I put it?" She then paused. "Hm, well, I have a surprise for you, so to say." Planum shuddered a bit… Was it a feeling of jealousy just now? Either way, she wasn't sure how to take it.
Sir Daniel waved, leaving. Now, this, was the true final stage…
((I stayed up to write this chapter because it was so fun…! Mainly Hamis and his rather odd personality.
Yes, it started with the intro of the flashback, then it came back at the climax. It wasn't just pointless background story from the first game.))