Chapter 19

They were alone in his 'office'. His office was really a cave he had come across while wandering the forests of Atteka. It was about two hours walk from Contigo, secluded from the rest of civilization. The cave was underground, the staircase hidden in the deepest, darkest forest. No one would find them here. No one would dare to come.

Alex raised his palm lazily and removed the seal from Maskah's mouth. He had brought Maskah here from his prison beneath Anemos. He wanted to know so many things about this man sitting across from him in this dark, dark place. Maskah gasped for air as he regained the use of his mouth. He looked at Alex, afraid. Thousands of years in solitude had made him lose his edge. He lived in fear, knowing he would be down in Anemos forever. Then, this blue-haired man comes and whisks him away, dragging him to this dark place. He did like the darkness, though, he had become accustomed to it, it was one with his spirit. He hated the light and preferred this cave to the surface.

Alex shuffled into a sitting position and looked Maskah in the eyes for a few seconds before speaking, "Who are you?" he demanded in a low, firm tone.

"I...I am...My name is Maskah," he answered quietly in a raspy voice.

Alex knew this already of course. He knew all about Maskah's 'legacy'. He had defeated one of the Sages on top of Trial Road and murdered him. He then was locked away by the Sages, in a secret location that was known only to those of the sacred brethren. The same night that Maskah was exiled, the Sages created the seal on Alchemy. They locked away the power into four elemental stars and hid them deep inside Sol Sanctum. No one in Shaman Village saw Maskah after that day and it was presumed that he was dead, his body rotting in some sort of cell far away. And so, he was forgotten, but his story was not. The story of the murder of Totopa by an impossibly strong adept lived in Weyard for hundreds of years. But, eventually, the story was forgotten as well, and the legend of Maskah was a story known only to the oldest tribe members of Shaman Village. Alex, early in his life, had heard this story while traveling and had never forgotten it. And now, here he was, face to face with the 'banished prophecy'.

Maskah was confused. Why was this man remaining silent? Only one question to be asked? Why am I here? He realized that this man was clearly powerful, having dragged him all the way out to this forest cave.

It was in that moment that Maskah remembered who he was. Not his identity, that had always been with him, but his power. He rememered how hard he had trained for all those years long ago, just to get his chance at revenge. Who was this man to try to drag him on the ground to this place and question him? This man may be strong, but there was certainly no adept as strong as himself. And so, Maskah became the interrogator.

"And who are you?" he asked with confidence.

Alex looked up, surprised. He looked into Maskah's eyes. Alex smiled. There was no more fear there.

So he is not a weak old man after all. Good.

"My name is Alex," he answered firmly.

Maskah tried to remember. Alex. He had never heard a name like that before. He was clearly from somewhere that Maskah had never been. No matter. Maskah continued to question him.

"Alex. Why did you free me?"

Alex was getting slightly frustrated now. He was losing control of this man. Nevertheless, he answered Maskah's question.

He will learn to respect me.

"I freed you because I knew that we would be able to work together. Work together towards a common goal."

Maskah let out a raspy laugh, "I answer to no one, Alex. Surely you realize that I am much stronger than yourself."

Now, Alex was furious. Maskah needed to be taught a lesson in respect. Alex ground his teeth together and muttered, "I wouldn't bet on that."

He stood up quickly, glaring at Maskah. He directed his palm at the insolent man in front of him.

"Freeze Prism," he declared, in a commanding tone that Maskah had not heard him use before. Immediately, huge chunks of ice began falling towards Maskah. The ice rained down all around him, but it did not touch him.

The ice could not hit him, it was as if this aura around him guarded him from psynergy.

What? Impossible! No mortal man can train himself to prevent Alchemy's effects!

Clearly he had misjudged this old man, but he could not stop now.

If you will not succumb to my psynergy than you will learn respect from my blade!

Alex unsheathed his sword. It was a dull grey in the cave, but in the sunlight it would have shone as blue as the ocean. He rushed at Maskah, ready to put all his strength into one hit.

Maskah was unimpressed. After Alex failed to strike him with weak psynergy, he resorted to the worst possible tactic. Brute strength. Maskah smirked. Alex would not live long with that attitude.

Alex was getting closer. Maskah would not be able to block his sword. He was unarmed, had no sword, no armour. He moved into range for a strike and put all his strength into a cut to the neck. But, just as the sword was about to strike him, as it was inches away from his neck, it stopped. Maskah had raised his palm, a haze emitting from it. The haze had coated his neck and Alex's sword could not break through. Alex backed up, realizing the mistake he had made in challenging such a formidable opponent. There was no way he could beat Maskah, it was impossible.

It was time. It was time for Maskah to be the one on the offensive. He could see the fear in Alex's eyes. He had become mortal. He now feared death.

It is more imminent than you believe.

Alex had backed himself against the wall, he knew and feared the upcoming attack.

Maskah raised his palm, the light of Jupiter emitting from it and filling the room with a hazy light.

It is time to die, Alex.

"Storm Surge," he declared, his palms outstretched to the heavens, his head thrown back as the effects of his attack began.

First, Alex heard the thunder. It sounded far off, as if coming from a distance. But as he listened, he heard the thunder coming closer, becoming louder and louder. Soon it was a deafening roar, the claps exploding in his ears, filling ever inch of his being with dread at what would come next. Then, it began. With a tremendous crash that shook the earth itself, a huge lightning strike hit Alex in the chest. Alex lost his breath, the force of the attack knocking him unconscious. As the thunder faded away and the attack ended, Alex slumped to the floor. He kneeled there, eyes white with shock. The light had blinded him. The sound had deafened him. The strike had shaken the very core of his being. And now he was dying.