Alundra: Shadow in the Dreamscape
Chapter Nineteen: One with the Power of Dreams
Written by Estrelita Farr
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It was dark. Nothing moved.
It was silent. Nothing made a sound.
He was drifting in the darkness. Floating, as though without a purpose.
Where was he? What was he doing here?
He couldn't remember. His mind was filled with haze. Dull and slow.
His body was tired. Exhausted. His limbs felt as though they were encased in stone.
Then, he heard a voice. Soft, incomprehensible.
He opened his eyes slowly.
All he could see was a great darkness.
The voice came again. Louder. More insistent.
"Someone…?" he said and tried to sit up.
His body refused to listen.
"…Alundra…"
The voice was louder. Clearer. Calling his name.
He struggled, trying to move at least his hands. He was using all of his strength, and yet his body didn't budge.
"ALUNDRA!"
The voice was so loud that it gave him a jolt. His eyes snapped open and he immediately winced in the bright light.
"Ah, finally," the same person said exasperatedly. "Really now, you took so long to respond that I was beginning to think you're really dead."
Alundra groaned, sitting up slowly, his eyesight slowly adjusted to the light. He abruptly realised that he was sitting on hard ground, feeling the tips of the grass underneath prickling him. The sky was a soft blue, the white clouds floating lazily in the sky. Colourful flowers surrounded him, basking in the sunshine, dancing lightly in the gentle breeze.
A vast flower field, a blanket of colours. Much like the one Crowe had been buried in.
And there was Crowe, sitting cross-legged beside him.
He jumped in surprise. "Crowe?"
The dark-haired mercenary raised a hand in greeting. "Yo, Alundra, how have you been?" He grinned. "Well, seeing how we're both here, I'm guessing you're not doing not too good."
"This is…?"
Then, memories suddenly came rushing into Alundra's mind.
The lake shrine, the seal of the seven Crests removed.
The lake shrine, the seal that stopped Time broken.
The lake shrine, where the demon stood, the heroic cape billowing in the wind.
The lake shrine… where the demon's power pierced him right through the heart.
He raised a hand quickly to his chest. His clothes were back to normal, the armour back on his chest, protecting his heart. The wounds he had gotten during the battle in the lake shrine had all disappeared.
A mixture of relief and confusion filled his heart.
"The last thing I remember was…" He shook his head. "Where am I, Crowe? Or rather, why do I see you when you're supposed to be dead? Unless I'm also…"
The dark-haired adventurer half-shrugged. "They say when you're about to die, you'll see two things; the place you want to be the most, and the people you want to see the most, even if they're dead."
"So I'm almost dead…" He lowered his head, thinking of Inoa and its villagers… he had failed them. He had failed to destroy the demon god.
He suddenly slapped the young man's shoulder. "Well, don't go on giving up yet! I'm not finished!"
He blinked. "What?"
He grinned. "Because you seem to be a rather special case. Look behind you."
"I am?" He quickly glanced over his shoulder… and his eyes widened.
Meia. Standing behind him. Like him, her wounds had all disappeared, as though they hadn't gone through the battle.
"Meia…?" he muttered, slowly standing up. "I thought you're…"
The female dreamwalker shook her head. "Even if we're here, Alundra, all is not lost yet."
"What? What's going on?"
Crowe suddenly laughed and glanced to the side. "You see! I told you he'd be clueless!"
"He'll catch on sooner or later!" a familiar voice spoke. "He's a bright lad, you know what I'm saying?"
Alundra turned quickly. "Jess?"
Jess, the swordsmith. His rotund figure was unmistakeable.
"How are you doing lad?" Jess asked, smiling. "I hope my last gift to you was useful."
Crowe snorted. "Yeah, fat load of good it did to him against that last hit that brought him here."
"No offense, Crowe," a serene female voice started, "But I think without it, he wouldn't have come this far."
Sybill. The young silvery-haired girl, who often dreamed of the future.
One by one, more and more people appeared in the field. All the people whom Alundra had failed to save.
Meade, the blond-haired father of the twins, who had died in the fire trying to protect his family from the Murgg. He smiled. "Alundra, thank you. My family is all indebted to you… first you saved my father, then my children twice. I only regret I cannot repay you for it…"
Wendell, Meade's father, the first person who was inflicted with a nightmare after the Releaser arrived in Inoa, gave a toothy smile. "Thank you truly, my lad! Even if I have passed on, I feel at peace… and it's all thanks to you for helping me!"
Giles, Kisha's brother, the chancellor's assistant who succumbed to his injuries after fighting off his nightmare. He smiled sadly. "I saw what happened to my sister after I passed on. She has grown so much more assertive, unlike her usual meek self…" He shook his head. "Please let her know I will always care for her, won't you?"
Olen, who had perished after the mine collapsed due to a planned Murgg attack. He grinned and gave a thumbs-up. "Yo, bro! How's the mining bomb Jess made for you? I heard it was THE bomb!"
Bonaire, the silver-haired surfer who had died in the village fire. His enthusiasm gone, guilt was etched on his face. "Hey, Alundra, dude… look, I'm really sorry for blaming you for Nadia's death, it was really my fault that I didn't realise her love for me sooner… I feel so heinous… ow!"
Nadia, who was killed as Sara in Bonaire's dream, had slapped him on the back of his head. "Bonaire! Did you really blame him for that?" She shook her head and turned to the Releaser. "I'm really sorry, Alundra, this bonehead never learns. I know your blade was the one that ended my life, but don't beat yourself over it, okay?" She smiled. "Because thanks to you, you opened Bonaire's eyes for me."
Myra, Nadia's mother who had perished in the fire as well, nodded. "Alundra… I'm sorry for believing you were a devil. The pain of losing my daughter so suddenly was too painful for me, and blaming you was easier than to accept she was gone…"
Kline, the village hunter who had turned into a werewolf, who had chosen to submit himself to the nightmare. He crossed his arms and spoke gruffly, "What happened, kid? The demon got the better of you?"
Elene, Gustav's young daughter who previously had split personalities, smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Alundra. After you helped me with my nightmare, Daddy was so wonderful… even if I didn't have much time with him, I'm really happy. Can you please tell him for me?"
Even the gods he had met appeared.
Nirude, the dwarves' god, his spectral head floating in mid-air, gave a short bow. "I thank you for helping my people, Alundra."
The queen of the waters, Stenia. "I see you have made good use of the Ice Wand… especially against dear Wilda."
Wilda, the fire dragon, growled slightly in embarrassment.
Everyone Alundra had met before, who had died, all spoke words of praise and gratitude to him. Those who blamed him before apologised. Even those he barely knew yelled encouragements to him.
He gazed at them in awe and amazement. "Everyone… thank you. I'm sorry I couldn't save any of you. But there's just one thing…" He shook his head. "Can someone tell me what's going on around here? I'm a hell lot confused!"
Crowe laughed and ruffled his head. "Oh, come on! Haven't you been listening? You're a special case!"
"But I don't get it at all!"
The mark of the Releaser started to shine a soft blue light once more, causing the crowd to become silent, just as an old voice spoke.
"Pray, allow me to explain it to him."
The crowd parted slowly, allowing an old man to pass. He was dressed in a long, thick robe, the hood lowered, his long hair and beard a bright silver colour against the dark colour of his robe. The wrinkled face was familiar.
Lars, the wizard.
He smiled. "How are you, young one?"
Alundra shook his head. "Confused! Everyone suddenly popped out of nowhere, and even you too! Maybe you can tell me what's going on!"
He chuckled. "Certainly. Allow me to explain. Crowe has mentioned that when one is about to die, he will see the place he wants to be at the most as well as the people he wants to see the most, dead or alive. But you… you are different, young one." He gestured at the people around them. "However briefly you have met or spoken them, even if they had passed on to the next world with your best efforts, you have touched the lives of these people. You, a complete stranger, an outsider, have tried aught and all to rescue them. They have watched you since the time of their passing, cheering you silently from the world beyond."
Jess smiled and nodded. "The memories are a bond, Alundra. If we keep the memories in our hearts, the dead will never be forgotten."
Crowe grinned. "Didn't I tell you? Death is just another adventure into the realms of the unknown!"
"But that is not all, young one," Lars continued. "Not only the dead, but even the living. Your bond with them is strong, for they now place all of their trust in you." He gestured to the side. "Look."
Everyone turned.
There, the part of the field gradually faded away, replaced by the familiar basement of Inoa's sanctuary, the statue of the demon god lay in pieces. In the centre of the room, the villagers sat in a tight circle, their heads lowered, their eyes closed as they drifted in a dreaming state.
Alundra gazed at them, unable to believe his eyes.
"Everyone…?"
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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The basement of Inoa's sanctuary was dark, barely lit by torches on the walls, yet without the demon's statue gazing over them, the air was no longer gloomy and despairing. The villager sat, a peaceful look on their faces as they dreamed.
Bergus opened his eyes and looked up.
"Alundra?" he called uncertainly. "Is that you?"
But there was no sight of the adventurer.
His mother Rumi turned towards him.
"Bergus, no," she said. "We have to continue to dream, otherwise Alundra's life will be in grave danger…"
He shook his head obstinately. "But Mom! I woke up because I heard his voice! You must've heard it too!"
"Bergus… Alundra isn't here, so there's no way you could have heard his voice. Go to sleep, quickly now."
On her other side, Nestus looked up as well. "M-Mother! I heard him too… I heard Alundra speak!"
The mother sighed exasperatedly. "Alundra isn't here, he went to do battle with the demon to save the lives of the people of this land…" She stopped. "What? Alundra? No…" She shook her head. "It's not my imagination! Alundra! It's Alundra!"
Within a few seconds, everyone else looked up in the same direction, pointing and muttering, a look of surprise etched onto their faces.
A blind woman nodded. "Yes, I can see a light… small, but strong!"
"What's going on?" a man said. "We aren't dreaming, yet we can see and hear Alundra!"
The people muttered confusedly among themselves.
Beaumont gazed at his people. "Everyone! I think we succeeded! This must mean that our dreams and prayers reached Alundra's heart!"
Everyone stopped, gazing at the silhouette of the Releaser that they could see, then started shouting encouragements.
"Oh, Alundra… please be careful! You must return to us!"
"Alundra, I know you will fight through the obstacles in your path! Be strong!"
"Don't doubt yourself! I believe in you!"
"My prayers and my heart are with you! Please take strength from that!"
Rumi shook her head, her hands around her twin boys' shoulders. "Alundra… can you hear our voices? Our prayers?"
Nestus laughed happily. "If we can hear his voice, he must be able to hear ours! Alundra! Promise you'll come back to us! Promise!"
Bergus grinned. "No way the demon can beat him! He's too strong, and too cool!"
The villagers continued to shout, their voice echoing along the sanctuary walls.
"Alundra! I know you can do it!"
"You must emerge victorious!"
"Live, Alundra! LIVE!"
Then, the sanctuary's basement began to merge with three other scenes.
On one side of the room, the stone walls faded, replace by the dim interior of the lizardmen's cave. The young and the old, who did not join the battle, roared, chirped and clicked their tongues as loud as they could.
On the other side of the room, the stone walls disappeared to reveal the dark interior of the dwarves' home. Those who did not join the war shouted and yelled in their high little voices as they jumped and waved their torches.
And on another side of the room, the faded walls revealed the great battlefield, the humans, lizardmen and goblins who banded together to fight against the Murgg and the demon's fanatics. Septimus. Kisha. Lutas. Gustav. Miming. Max. Even as they battled, their eyes blazed. Their hearts encouraged their hero.
"It's all up to you now, Alundra!" Septimus shouted, his face covered in beads of perspire and blood. "But come back alive!"
Kisha fired an arrow before yelling, "I know you can do it, Alundra!"
Lutas nodded, breathing heavily with his sword raised. "I believe in you!"
Gustav focused forward, his mace poised to strike. "Get revenge for us, Alundra! For my sweet Elene!"
Miming smiled. "It's all up to you now, Alundra, for Lord Nirude!"
Max grinned and growled.
People of all shapes and sizes. From the three vastly different races. The young. The old. The living. The dead. They all shouted encouragements to their hero, fully placing all of their trust, all of their faith in him.
"Alundra!" they all cried. "ALUNDRA!"
Their mind, heart and soul were one.
Because of their hero.
Alundra.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Alundra was speechless. Everyone was cheering for him not only to win the battle, but to live and return to them alive.
He had become someone important in their lives.
Meia smiled. "Alundra… you may not know it, but you have touched all of our hearts and changed us for the better. Now we all fight alongside you."
Crowe grinned proudly. "See? I told you I had a feeling you're part of something big!"
Jess nodded. "Even we, those who have passed, will support you to the end."
Sybill gazed at him dreamily. "We are your strength, Alundra."
The crowd in the flower field began to cheer, yelling his name.
"Alundra! Alundra!"
The Releaser gazed at them in awe, quite unsure what to say. He felt happy, proud.
He had finally belonged. These people were his family.
Then, Lars held a hand up for silence.
"Young one…" he began. "There is one more person whose heart you have also touched. He will tell you the truth."
In the silence, the sky darkened, the black clouds covering the sun shining in the blue sky. Then, in a flash of light, a small group of people appeared.
The remaining four Guardians. Vul. Jeal. Uma. Nava. They smiled and nodded encouragingly at the Releaser, then parted the way for a man to pass.
The man with flowing long silver hair that seemed to glow, his ears pointed like an elf's.
Alundra's eyes widened. "You… you're that guy who gave me the Holy Sword!"
The silver-haired man smiled serenely. "Yes, I am, Alundra. I am the one they call King Snow… the one who led the war against the demon a thousand years ago."
There was a collective gasp from the crowd, both living and dead.
King Snow… the legendary king.
"It's time you knew the truth, Alundra…" Snow stated. "A thousand years ago, these seven Guardians and I led the war against the demon… but we could do no more than to seal him in the lake shrine. By the time the war was over and the lake was sealed, there were few of us in the kingdom left, even less than the people in Inoa now… but we realised we have gained a power. A power that was passed onto us, most likely accidentally, from the demon himself."
"What power?" Alundra asked.
"The power to enter dreams… to dreamwalk. To turn dreams into reality. It is the same as yours."
Alundra gave a gasp of surprise.
The power to dreamwalk.
What the Clan of Elna were well-known for.
Could it be…?
The king nodded. "It seems you have guessed it. We, the survivors of the war, are the forefathers of the Elna… your ancestors."
"Then… the dreamwalk ability that we have…" The male elf shook his head disbelievingly. "Is yours? Passed down to us? From the demon himself?"
He nodded. "His very own power, becoming a part of us. All of the Elna have the ability to dreamwalk… but you are different, Alundra. A thousand years ago, Lars has sacrificed himself to use the forbidden magic, passing the power of the prophecy through my blood… to you, Alundra."
"To… me? I'm a direct descendant of you?"
He extended his hands, the Holy Sword materialising on his palms. "You, as the Releaser, have the power to wield the Holy Sword, the sword crafted from the very same star the demon is carved from. With this sword, and the power to dreamwalk passed down through our blood… put an end to his reign."
Alundra took the Holy Sword, which was glowing faintly in his hands. Warmth came from it, seeping into his hands, energising him.
Snow smiled. "Perhaps this time you will achieve what we could not a thousand years ago."
"You can do it, Alundra!" Bergus cried from the sanctuary.
"Yeah!" Nestus yelled.
And, suddenly, everyone burst into an uproar, shouting encouragements at Alundra.
They all shouted his name.
Their prayers, their faiths.
Touching his heart. Seeping into him like power.
His body began to shine a bright light.
His heart was filled with renewed determination.
Then, he turned towards Meia.
He smiled and extended his hand. "Will you fight with me once more, Meia?"
She lowered her head, then raised it once more with a smile and took his hand. "To the end, Alundra."
Through their touching hands, the bright light spread from Alundra to Meia. Both of them shone, feeling the warmth, feeling power within them.
The power of dreams.
Alundra gazed at the people. Crowe. Jess. Sybill. The villagers. The Guardians. The gods. The king. Everyone who cheered his name.
He smiled. "Fight with me, everyone."
And a thunderous cheer echoed across the flower field.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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The demon sat upon the white marble throne, bidding his time before he regained his full strength once more. He could see the great battle that raged outside, his followers the Murgg and the humans against the united humans, dwarves and lizardmen.
He sneered.
No matter. Once he regained his strength, he would have the power to obliterate them properly. Like ants with a step of a shoe.
He was a god. Nothing could stand in his way.
A thousand years ago, he had been afraid. Terrified. Fearing the people would no longer pray to him, that he would die a slow, horrible death without the power of prayers. Yet, even with his images destroyed, there were still people who prayed to him in secret, giving him strength.
Strength enough to break his spirit free from the seal of Time. Strength enough to reward those loyal to him. Strength enough to inflict fear upon Inoa.
And he laughed. His voice echoed along the walls.
Then, a burst of intense white light that engulfed the entire hall.
"W-what?" he exclaimed, shielding his eyes with his arm.
He could feel it. Power.
It was the light of a god.
But… how? How could it be possible?
He had already eliminated Wilda, the fire dragon, the king of destruction, during the war, causing him to fall into a long sleep for the whole thousand years.
He had destroyed Stenia's dwelling, the fairy pond, the moment she had appeared in front of the Releaser, and she would no longer be able to rise.
He had stolen power from Nirude a thousand years ago and sent his best gargoyle Zorgia against him, who had been successfully killed in his own lair.
All the other gods had also been removed. The warrior god, who turned to life from the lizardmen's prayers… was not yet strong enough to fight him. The monkey god, who had never received much prayer from the Murgg to begin with, had been easily replaced as the simian's god.
How? How could there still be a god who could rise against him? Had he overlooked any potential gods? It could not be. Stenia's waters had been useful in providing him information. There had been no more gods in these lands other than him.
Unless… no, it could not be.
When the light dimmed enough to see, he gasped.
Alundra, the Releaser. With Meia beside him, holding his hand. Their wounds completely healed, their bodies reenergised.
They were both shining.
No… not both of them. When Meia released her hold on his hand, the light around her disappeared.
It was Alundra. Shining. The unmistakeable light of the gods.
Had he… become a god?
Alundra gazed down at his dazzling hands, quite unable to believe his eyes. The cuts remained on his clothes, the jacket, shirt and pants shredded as though they had gone through a room filled with blades. His armour hung uselessly at his waist, its supporting strap torn. The dried blood was there on his skin. But, through the cuts of the clothes, there were no wounds. His muscles were not aching. He felt refreshed as though he had just woken up from a restful sleep.
He had been completely healed by the power of prayer. Energy surged through his veins at lightning speed.
Warm. Powerful.
He felt as though he could destroy a whole castle with a single punch to the wall.
He glanced at Meia. Surprise was clearly etched on her face. In that moment when they had temporarily held hands, she was shining as well, her wounds miraculously healed, her energy restored.
They both now knew the extent of the power of prayer. How it was able to turn a lifeless statue into a god.
The demon snarled, drawing their attention, seemingly threatened.
"You… what are you?" he shouted, standing up quickly.
Alundra half-shrugged and drew the Holy Sword with his right hand, the Fire Wand in his left, grinning now that he felt confident. "Just your average adventurer looking for the thrill of the unknown!"
Meia raised her borrowed sword, together with the Ice Wand. "Your evil reign has ended, demon. We shall settle this here, once and for all!"
"Insolent fools!" the demon roared, his body beginning to glow, his crimson eyes burning with rage. "An insignificant human such as you will not defeat me! I am a god! I am MELZAS!"
There was an abrupt flash of lightning, engulfing the whole hall in its light. Their surroundings shattered into pieces as though it was a mirror.
They were no longer in the lake shrine hall. They stood on an invisible ground, unable to see anything but a deep blue colour that swirled around them, like the rushing surface of a river.
A psychedelic portal.
A fold in space-time, like the one Nirude had created.
Alundra and Meia stared before them, their eyes wide.
It was a grotesque sight.
Before them was a platform seemingly made of flesh and cells, with veins running and branching all over, throbbing and pulsating with azure blood.
Two giant eyeballs as large as a boulder, the iris a glowing crimson colour, hovered like the head of a gigantic serpent connected to the veins from the ground.
Two gigantic hands, larger than two humans put together, floated in midair, its flesh and muscles visible as though its skin had been torn away.
And the head. Supported by a column of veins that twisted and rose from the ground, it was large, shaped like a skull with pale-grey flesh and muscles running along its surface without the skin. At the top of the head, the numerous brains stacked on one another, as though they had been stolen from many other beings. The eye sockets were hollow, empty, the eyes torn out.
Melzas. The demon god.
The god who treated people merely as tools, as his source of power.
Now he looked like the demon he truly was.
The head snarled. His voice boomed from it.
"Now, like the mortals that you are… you will DIE!"
A roar rang loudly across the psychedelic portal like a shockwave.
The dreamwalkers focused, their weapons raised.
This was it. The final battle.
They would win, or die trying.
The eyeballs shone, pulsating with energy. From the pupil, a ray of burning hot energy shot across the platform. The elves separated and started running forward, their blades gleaming in the light. The energy rays sliced the air between them, seemingly slicing the very space. The gigantic hands lunged, the fingers spread wide to grab them, but they merely jumped to the side, barely looking up as they continued to run, their eyes focused resolutely forward.
They were aiming directly for the head.
The eyeballs blazed, seemingly threatened. As their enemies approached, they charged forward, slamming their bodies directly on the ground in hopes of hitting them. A cloud of dust rose to the air, then parted as the dreamwalkers emerged over the eyeballs, their swords shining.
But the demonic head grinned. The mouth opened.
From the throat came a burst of light.
The elves' eyes widened, their arms raised to shield their heads. The Water Shield quickly formed protectively in front of them.
And the bright light engulfed them entirely.
The force was so great that it sent them flying twenty feet away, the fleshy platform cushioning their fall. The smoking Water Shield faded away. They scrambled to their feet, just as the floating hands stormed towards them.
There was no time to dodge.
With a yell, Alundra brought the sword up in a powerful slash. Blue blood spurted into the air, like the deep colour of the ocean. The bleeding right hand drew back in pain. The other hand rushed past him, barely missing its female target, and was mercilessly frozen solid by the Ice Wand in her hand. Enraged, the giant right hand charged once more, the blood dripping in large amounts.
"Oh, come on!" the swordsman shouted, jumping to the side. "Give up already!"
"Watch out!" Meia screamed as she bashed him out of the way.
An energy ray from an eyeball shot past them like a lightning bolt, searchingly hot. Meia screamed in pain as she fell forward. Her sword and Ice Wand fell to the ground.
"Meia!" her companion exclaimed, holding her steady by the shoulders.
Her back was severely burned.
Just like the time she had protected him from the dragon.
"I-I'm fine," she forced through gritted teeth, her trembling hand pushing him away. "Go… just go!"
"But–" he began uncertainly.
The sound of ice cracking caught his attention.
The frozen left hand was breaking free from its icy prison.
And he looked up just in time to see the right hand rushing towards him. Alongside the energy rays.
"Oh, come on!" he yelled as he jumped forward, his hand shining. "Give me a break here!"
The Water Shield spread in front of the two elves just as the energy rays struck, spreading like a flower. The force was so strong that it knocked him backward, his weapons falling to the ground… and the bleeding right hand grabbed him.
"Ungh!" he grunted as he struggled.
"Alundra!" Meia shouted, forcing herself up. With a trembling hand, she drew a dagger and threw it as hard as she could at the hand that held her companion.
But pain weakened her accuracy. The blade merely grazed the top of the hand, not enough to cause it to release him.
And the other floating hand, having broken free of the solid ice, grabbed her.
The two elves, rendered helpless in the demon god's floating hands. The head laughed triumphantly.
"Impertinent mortals!" he boomed. "It has been an entertaining moment, but your miserable life ends here. DIE!"
The fingers drew tighter. And tighter.
Threatening to crush the life out of their victims.
Alundra gritted his teeth. He tried to focus on a spell, but the pain disrupted his concentration. He fought harder, but his attempts were futile. The fingers were too strong for him.
He could hardly breathe.
He was like a mere rag doll in the merciless hands.
He could hear the people's voices in his mind. Screaming at him to live. Screaming at him to win. Yet, even with the power of the people's prayer… he couldn't fight against the hand that held him. Wasn't it supposed to enhance his abilities… his strength? His speed?
No, there was no noticeable change in his speed or his strength. The only difference was that warm power surging quickly inside him, as though in frustration, as though aching to be released.
Had he been wrong? Did he still have to do something to tap into the power?
Suddenly, he understood.
The power of prayer was the power of dreams. The people's dreams of an era of peace, of freedom, of him as the hero who would bring them that era. By itself, it would do nothing.
He had the ability to dreamwalk, to enter dreams, to turn dreams into reality… to channel that power of dreams into his weapon.
His weapon, the Holy Sword. Made of the same star as the demon's body.
He steeled his heart. He now knew what to do.
He closed his eyes. He focused.
He could hear it. The loud breathing from the demonic head. The throbbing pulse through the fingers that held him tightly.
He timed his shallow breathing with it.
Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.
He could feel it. The foul presence of the god.
Within the darkness of his closed eyes, the power of prayer was shining as it gathered around the mental image of himself like wisps of light. It was warm, like the hands of the people who prayed for him.
It gathered at his hand, solidifying into a familiar item.
The Holy Sword.
The weapon made of the same magical star rock as Melzas.
And the foul presence was there, in front of him.
It was clear what he had to do.
"TAKE THIS!" he screamed.
The mental image of himself swung the sword as hard as he could.
The power rushed through him like a searing hot serpent and into the Holy Sword in a great flash of light. The dazzling arc of white light erupted from the blade, slicing through the air, closing the distance between him and the demonic head in an instant.
An explosion rang loudly through the air.
The giant hands abruptly opened, dropping the two elves back onto the fleshy platform. Alundra gasped, the warm air rushing into his lungs as he knelt on the ground. He could hear Meia's ragged breathing near him.
The Holy Sword was back in his hand, despite it falling to the ground when he was caught. As though it had magically materialised into his hand, like the image he had seen in his mind.
The smoke around Melzas cleared. Part of his head was covered in painful burns from the strike.
He snarled.
"Death is too meagre a retribution for you for striking against a god!" The demonic mouth opened once more, the light shining from the throat. "For your rebellious spirit, I shall deliver to you eternal PAIN!"
Alundra gazed forward determinedly, the light around him spreading into uncontrollable lightning sparks. The power grew hot inside him, gathering at his hands that held the Holy Sword, burning into his palms.
He grinned. "You're too kind, Melzas, but you should enjoy it yourself!" He raised the sword high above his head, forming a bright pillar of light that shot directly upward. "And here's my last gift to you! HYAH!"
With all of his might, he thrust the Holy Sword forward.
The power exploded from him, a huge ray of intense light shot through the air like a gigantic roaring dragon.
Melzas' eyes widened. The light in his throat faded. His hands quickly lunged in front of him, forming a magic circle etched with shining runes.
The ray struck the barrier with an explosion of white light. A shockwave of energy spread forcefully across the whole of the psychedelic portal. The ground shook. The very air trembled with power. With tension.
But the demon god held. His crimson eyes flashed dangerously.
Alundra gritted his teeth as he held on tightly to the sword.
The power burned. As though he would soon burst into flames.
Pain shot through him. As though he was exploding from the inside.
His mind was filled with pain.
His consciousness was rapidly fading.
Too strong… the power was too strong.
His mortal body could not withstand the power of a god.
If this continued… he would die.
Yet he pushed on. Holding on tightly to the sword. Despite the burning pain.
His heart had come to terms with his decision. If he could defeat the god and die in the process… so be it.
Then, he felt a hand gripping his. Touching the sword.
Meia. Her golden hair gleaming in the light. Her blue eyes resolute.
He felt the pain inside him decreasing, as the light spread to her.
The power was channelled evenly between the two of them.
She was taking some of his pain.
"Meia, no!" he exclaimed. "You're hurt!"
"I'm in this as much as you are, Alundra!" she shouted. "We're both dreamwalkers! We'll do this together!"
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "We'll finish this!"
The two of them stood side by side. Their hands touched. Holding the Holy Sword together.
The power surged through their veins. Rushing into the sword. Turning into pure energy that shook the very air.
The power of human prayer.
The dreams of an era of peace. Dreams of freedom, to live as the people wished to live.
The people shouted the name of their hero and his companion.
Alundra. Meia.
They would bring them peace. They knew it.
The ray of intense white light grew stronger. Forcing the magic barrier back.
Melzas' eyes flashed with rage. With frustration.
With fear.
"FUTILE!" he roared. "It is FUTILE! I am a GOD! I AM MELZAS!"
The magic barrier shattered.
The demon screamed in pain.
Then, the entire space was engulfed in a great explosion.
.
-o-o-o-o-o-
.
Alundra and Meia fell to the cold, hard floor, breathing heavily with their eyes tightly shut in pain. After a moment, the Releaser quickly sat up, looking around.
They were back at the throne room of the lake shrine. In the middle of the circle of marble braziers that held the seal that stopped Time.
And there, in front of the throne, was Melzas. His original humanoid form. Kneeling on the ground. Breathing heavily.
"How… how could this be?" he spluttered, shaking his head. "How could an insolent mortal stand before a god? You… what are you? That power… you are not mere mortals!"
The dreamwalkers stood up slowly, their bodies trembling from exhaustion, yet their eyes were focused. Determined.
"Well, it looks like a thousand years of being sealed has dulled what little brain power you have," Alundra scoffed. "Have you forgotten? The power of prayers is what turned a statue into what you are, giving you life, but now, the people of this land have chosen to trust their dreams to me instead. It's kind of embarrassing to say, but…" He grinned. "Looks like I temporarily became a god, too."
"A… a god?" the demon spluttered.
"The demon god Melzas." Meia's eyes grew cold. "A god exists only if the people wished for it… without them, there will be no gods. Now, in their hearts, you are merely a tyrant revelling in power."
He snarled. "Curse you! I curse you, Releaser! Without you, the mortals would have perished! Instead, I have come to this humiliating end…"
The mark of the Releaser suddenly shone. Lars' voice filled Alundra's mind.
"Your victory has nearly been realised, young one," the wizard said hurriedly. "Listen carefully to the words I speak! You must burn the demon's remains with the sacred fire to destroy him once and for all!"
"Sacred fire…" Alundra thought for a moment. "Wilda's Fire Wand?"
Meia picked up the fallen golden sceptre from a few steps away and walked over to his side, handing it to him.
He shook his head. "No, you do it, Meia."
Uncertainty flickered across her eyes. "Are you… sure?"
"I'm sure. With this, you can come to terms with your past, right?"
She smiled. "How thoughtful of you."
With one graceful swing of the sceptre, a wave of golden-crimson flames spread across the hall, engulfing the weakened body of the demon god.
Within the blink of an eye, Melzas was abruptly covered in flames, as though they had ignited a barrel of oil.
His crimson eyes blazed.
"Your victory shall never be complete, humans!" he roared. "The peace you and the other mortals long for shall never be fully realised; as long as mortals harbour darkness within their hearts, evil shall exist! It is an incontrovertible fact, and darkness resides within every mortal heart! Even yours, Releaser!"
Alundra crossed his arms, watching the burning god unwaveringly. "Aren't you being too pessimistic? As long as people harbour darkness in their hearts, evil exists… but the same goes for the opposite. As long as there are still people who harbour kindness and trust, good exists. The world exists in balance, you know?" He grinned. "Hey, I just sounded like really smart sage there!"
The god had no more words to say. He screamed in pain, his voice echoing loudly throughout the whole castle as he burned to death...
Within moments, all there was left were dark ashes.
The demon god was no more.
Meia closed her eyes. "It's over."
The male elf gazed at the ashes. "It's ironic… during the war, he tried to scare the people with nightmares, but ended up giving them the power to dreamwalk that was passed down to the Elna, to us. And he was defeated by that very same power that used to be part of his own…"
Suddenly, the floor began to shake violently.
The lake shrine was crumbling.
.
-o-o-o-o-o-
.
"Fight!" Septimus shouted, breathing heavily, the blood dripping down his face. "FIGHT! Alundra and Meia are fighting the demon for us! We must buy time for them!"
The sounds of swords clashing could be heard. Miming and the dwarves, now their contraptions destroyed, joined the battle directly with their razor sharp sickles. The lizardmen, their numbers greatly reduced due to the curse of the stone, continued to fight ferociously. The humans joined them, their spirits raised.
Then, a roar of pain rang across the battlefield.
Everyone stopped.
The monkeys screeched in fear.
Max, the giant leader of the lizardmen, had stabbed Zazan, the huge leader of the Murgg, through the heart.
Max roared triumphantly. A victory cry resonated through the air.
Then, a loud rumble in the ground, cutting their victory short.
One monkey looked upwards and screeched in panic.
They all turned. Their eyes widened.
The lake shrine was crumbling right before their eyes. Falling into pieces that dropped into the turbulent waters. Crashing down as though its support had suddenly been taken away.
Waves of water crashed against the bank of the lake, as though threatening to bring the people down with it.
A whirlpool formed in the centre of the lake, its great force pulling what little remains of the crumbling shrine beneath its watery surface.
Everyone was frozen. Unable to move as their eyes were fixated on the scene.
Within moments, the lake calmed. The castle was nothing more than a pile of rocks underwater.
Then, they saw it.
On the remains of the broken stone bridge, a bright light approached. Warm. Dazzling.
It was Alundra. Shining like a celestial being.
Meia strode beside him. Like a warrior basking in triumph.
The people stared at them.
All of the lizardmen began to glow in a soft, warm light, which then faded away slowly. Those turned to stone and were still whole came back to life. If they didn't know better, it had looked like their curse of turning to stone, inflicted by the demon god, had been lifted.
The human followers of the demon god, the ones who had turned into hideous white monsters, suddenly screamed. Within the blink of an eye, they reverted back to their human form, their robes shredded and torn.
And, just like Ronan… they started to rot.
The hair shrivelled and dried up. The skin darkened as though burning to a crisp, shrinking as though their blood were drying up.
Then, their screams of pain fading away, they collapsed onto the ground… turning into dust that were blown away.
The demon god's power could no longer sustain their bodies.
Yet Inoan villagers, the dwarves and the lizardmen dared not believe.
Had they… truly won? Had the demon truly been vanquished?
Alundra stopped, the light around him slowly fading away. His birthmark shone a soft blue light once more.
The silhouette of the wizard Lars appeared before him. Smiling. Filled with joy.
"Thank you, Alundra," he said. "Thank you for keeping true to my request to the very end. Now that Melzas has been defeated, we are now free from our thousand years of Guardianship."
The Releaser shook his head. "You're… going to die?"
He chuckled. "We have already died a long time ago, only to remain as spirits to protect our Crests. Now, our vows fulfilled, His Majesty King Snow and the other Guardians have already passed on to the world beyond, together with your friends."
"But… what about you?"
"I came to bid you farewell, Alundra." The same soft blue light surrounded his hand. "That is the privilege I have for being the one to prophesised your coming."
He grinned. "Well, it's been the heck of a time with you, Lars. Wherever you go after death, don't give anyone else nightmares, you hear?"
He laughed. "Fare thee well, Alundra, the Releaser! The hero who has defeated a god!"
On that note, Lars faded away into nothingness, together with the blue light on the mark of the Releaser. As though he had never been there.
Alundra felt a tinge of sadness in his heart. Even if Lars was already dead… it was hard to say goodbye.
Meia placed a hand on his shoulder.
He nodded.
Together, they strode forward.
The crowd slowly parted to let them pass. The remaining Murgg stared at him uncertainly, unsure of what to do, what to feel.
They stopped in front of Septimus, their companion. The scholar smiled at them.
"I take it that you're victorious?" he asked.
Meia nodded, smiling slightly.
Alundra grinned and gave a thumbs-up. "You bet!"
As though a valve had been released, a thunderous cheer rang loudly across the battlefield. The Murgg, screeching in terror, scampered back to their home by the Great Tree.
Soon, all the people who had been praying – from Inoa's sanctuary basement, the lizardmen's cave and the goblin's dwelling – gathered at the lakeside to see the destroyed remains of the lake shrine with their own eyes, shouting, yelling, crying in happiness. The humans cried and embraced each other. The dwarves did a strange dance. The lizardmen punched each other lightly out of pure happiness.
They were free. Free to live their lives as they wanted. Free to dream as they like. Free to create whatever their passion chose to.
The sun began to shine over the horizon, spreading its rays along the surface of the lake, filling them with warmth.
It was the start of a new day, the start of a new life.
A new beginning.
An era of peace had come.
.
End of Chapter Nineteen.
.
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Author's Note:
Ah, I really do like reading a story after the final conflict has been resolved. It's really touching. :D
But wait, don't go yet! There's still one more chapter after this, the epilogue! Which will be here next weekend, so stay tuned!
You know, there are quite a bit of ideas I flung about in this chapter. I always liked the idea of the hero almost dying and have a chat with the dead people in the world between the living and the dead. I also liked the idea of the hero being a direct descendant of some great guy from the past (in this case, King Snow), and the idea of a strongly united community cheering for the hero. Lastly, I really like the irony of having the bad guy's power as his downfall, in this case the power to turn dreams into reality, the power to dreamwalk, or the ability to channel the power of prayers into a weapon as pure energy. Roll them all into one and you have this chapter!
Also, from in-game, Stenia has mentioned that gods are born from the prayers of people. If that power of prayer can bring a statue to life, what can it do to an actual person? Granted, Alundra's godlike status is only temporary since there are so little people left, but hey, it still adds to the drama. xP