Journey of the soul Finale: The Final Hours.

1:30 am: 6 hours until Dawn.

Hunter Cloud sat at the edge of the dock, overlooking the ocean. It would have been a beautiful night if not for the storm. Rain slowly pelted his clothes. The only warmth he was getting came from the soft glow of the guardian's soul disc. It pulsed slightly whenever Hunter's eyes shifted to the swirling purple vortex in the sky: Zongazonga's castle.

Joe himself had tried to infiltrate the tornado on his Ptera about an hour ago. One flash of lightning later and he was currently in the same bed Hunter had slept on being treated for burns. It was anticlimactic in a way, the best fighter on the island didn't even make it to the final battle.

"Best fighter on the island Eh?" Spinax started talking, "now if only we had another one of those."

"Man, being second best sucks." Hunter sighed, "any minute now I'm gonna find the nerve to go up there, but still. If you're not second best, you gotta rely on better people. If you are second best, you get sent in when the best has already failed. You know how demoralizing that is?"

"Well, clearly we're first best. So your argument just kinda falls flat." Hunter didn't laugh. He wanted to, he wished he could brush aside all his worries before this fight like how he did with guhnash. He wish he could shout, scream, shriek until his mind cleared. But no, there wouldn't be any of that. There would be no moment of clarity. He would fight zongazonga and either die, or continue living in a world that hates him.

Hunter stood up and started walking back towards the plaza of the city. It was quiet since everyone was cowering in their homes. He looked out in an attempt to see the sun rising, but it was nowhere to be found. Figures.

"I AM ME! HEAR ME ROAR!" Dino's shout made Hunter jump so bad he nearly fell in the fountain.

"RRRRRROOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRR!" Spinax responded with a roar of his own that shook the ground slightly even from within the medal.

"What's up with you two?"

"Better question is what's up with your sorry ass? I finally accept living in darkness and I gotta listen to your depressing shit while doing it? Not gonna happen. So you either get your ass in gear before I take over and get all the credit for saving the world." Dino sent a mental image. It was one of Hunter's memories of him screaming his heart out right before fighting guhnash.

"I get it, god knows I get it. This fight won't solve anything and this shithole you call home isn't gonna thank you for it."

"I'm not doing this for gratitude."

"Then why? Because you hate him?"

"That's most of it yeah."

"So tell me the other part because I know there's more."

"…even if I don't like the world, the people I care about do. I want to make sure they stay happy even if I'm not."

"See? There's the sappy shit I was waiting for."

"Man, you're good at this." Spinax commented , "normally I have to spell it out for him before he admits it."

"I hate both of you."

"That's a lie."

"It is, but let's pretend it's the truth so it's easier for me to be mad." Hunter sat on a bench next to the fountain. He needed to go back to the wildwest tower. He needed to tell them he was ready to go. He had to…

"Damn it all." Hunter pushed himself off the bench and started walking again.

"Lost our way, have we Hunter?" The voice that he heard caused Hunter to reflexively clench his fists.

"Well well well, look who finally decided to show up." We he turned and saw Alvis, Hunter made sure he had the nastiest glare on his face possible, "you know, for someone who wanted me to be more 'confrontational' or whatever, you aren't setting a great example." Alvis sighed and sat on the bench Hunter was just on.

"Your feelings of anxiety, doubt, and mistrust are all a result of losing that confrontational attitude."

"Are they really? I've noticed I've been doing a lot better without it."

"So you say, yet here you are with doubts about fighting zongazonga. Would the Hunter that fought guhnash still be here? Or would he be up there fighting?"

"The Hunter that fought guhnash almost got everyone on earth killed by not being prepared. What would I do is what you should be asking. Better yet, what would we do? This is your whole fixation. How do you even know zongazonga anyway?"

"I discovered him during my travels. One look into the soul in the body of Joe wildwest and that's all."

"Okay. Did you look in my soul and find two different people?"

"…."

"It's hazy, but my memories are coming back. You were there when Dino and I became a single person again. He's still here, in my soul." Hunter clutched a hand to his chest.

"We can't talk often, it takes a lot of effort, but he's told me all he knows about you. How did Dino even exist in the first place?...and why the hell did you make him exist by almost making me kill myself."

"Dino is….a manifestation of sorts. He represents half your soul. Did you notice that his appearance is slightly more angular than your own? I can only assume that he has more physical traits from your father, Xeno, with a darker personality to match. He represents that part of you that is angry with this world. The part that cannot be accepted. However, he also has given you a significant increase in strength. Have you noticed that the time you can stay in the state of soulflame has practically doubled?"

"So you're saying….you did all this….you split me..us…in half. Created so many more problems…just so I'd be strong enough to take down a smaller threat to the world than Guhnash?"

"Essentially, yes. And I can guarantee that the power increase will be used."

"Then what about Lila?"

"Lila was used as insurance in case the plan for you and Dino to assimilate your energy failed. She has potential to be a useful tool to stop zongazonga, as does Dino."

"Tool? TOOL? Dino's his own person, with his own thoughts, feelings, and he deserves a life just as much as I do."

"He is half of you, a tool to get rid of zongazonga that is worth noth-" Hunter was moving before he knew it. He had grabbed Alvis by the collar and hoisted him up from the bench.

"Dino is worth more than you ever will be."

"You've known him for little more than a few hours, yet you treat him like he is precious to you."

"Because he is. Dino, Duna, Todd, Lila, And Me. We all got caught up in your damn obsession with zongazonga. If anything, he should be the one in control right now so he can beat the shit out of you." He wanted to. He wanted to rip those glasses off his face and punch him square in the eyes.

"Hunter." Spinax started, "we'll take care of this later."

"I'm in the mood to take care of this now."

"So am I, believe me. But we can't afford to mess around right now." When Spinax stops joking around, then it really is serious.

Hunter let go of Alvis and started to turn. He spit on his shoe for good measure before walking off.

"Eventually karma's gonna catch up to your ass, and I hope I get a front row seat to it."

"I didn't expect those words coming from you Hunter."

"That's because they aren't from Hunter." They walked away, towards a fate they didn't ask to be a part of.

2:00 am: 5 hours until Dawn

"That's suicide." Rupert said as soon as Hunter entered the common room. The room was quiet despite Duna, Todd, Lila, and Joe also being present. Pauleen had been deployed as a member of the patrol team to help evacuate illum island.

"I haven't even said anything yet."

"You were planning of going up to the castle and fighting zongazonga right?"

"….let's say yes for conversations sake."

"You have a broken rib, multiple lacerations along your entire body, and more than likely head trauma."

"…I don't see your point. Imma go kill the wizard now." Hunter pretended to turn and leave.

"Hol' on there pard." Joe lifted his head up from the bed he was laying on, "we can't ask you to do that in the state yer in."

"I was gonna do it anyway, so don't worry about it. Just wanted to check in before I do and…"

"And?" Duna didn't look at him when she spoke, but Hunter could see that she was hopeful for what he was about to say next.

"And ask who wants to come with me. I can't do this alone."

"I'll go." Duna immediately said with a small smile.

"Count me in too." Todd nodded.

"Me three!" Lila shouted.

"Cool, Rupert and Lila, you stay behind."

"Hey! I can help!"

"You could also die. And if that happens, then I'd lose my only family. I can't let that happen."

"But what if YOU die."

"That won't happen."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I'll be there to make sure he doesn't." Duna up walked next to Hunter. He gave her a sad smile and held her hand.

"Please you guys, there are children present." Spinax remarked, "keep the age rating G." Hunter ignored him.

"And I'll be there to make sure these two don't get lost in each other's eyes."

"Todd!"

"See Lila? I'm doing my job already." Todd laughed, then Hunter laughed, even Duna let out a small chuckle. They all knew why they were laughing. They needed to put up the illusion of this unbeatable team here to save the day, not a group of broken people trying to save face.

"….alright, but you're only going if I know you'll be safe."

"I promise." Hunter drew invisible lines over his heart, "cross my heart and hope…"

"To stay alive." Duna finished for him.

"Yeah that works." He turned back towards the door.

"Pard, you go up there we can't get you back down. I dunno how ya even plan to get up there." Hunter I clipped his holder and pulled out the glowing soul disc.

"You don't have to worry about that, I've got a plan."

"You do?" Everyone said in unison.

"Yeah, fly up there on my bone dragon and go beat his ass with it."

"…..Hunter-"

"Yep, realized as soon as I said it."

2:30 am: 5 hours until Dawn

The group walked in silence towards the outskirts of the main city. Hunter, Duna, Todd, Lila, and Rupert all kept their gaze focused on the floating city ahead rather than the one they were walking away from. The goal was to get as close as possible to Zongazonga's castle to keep guardian from expending too much energy flying. Despite their apparent light weight, boneysaurs can't fly for very long. And considering that guardian was made specifically to counter zongazonga, he would need as much energy as possible. The rain made the sand soggy and clumped underfoot as the left the main paths. Hunter kept trying to be discreet as he stole glances back at Duna. He could tell her head was still causing he pain from how she winced whenever she blinked. That was just another reason for him to kill zongazonga, causing so much pain to the ones he loves.

"Well aren't you a doting boyfriend." Spinax snickered.

"Honestly, I'm probably a terrible boyfriend considering it hasn't even been two full days and I've already put my girlfriend in a life or death situation."

"I mean, it's kinda been a year if you think about it, you just never made it official."

"If you want to count the year, than I'm an emotionally abusing boyfriend so I'd rather not."

"…damn, you're a sucky boyfriend."

"Tell me about it."

"Hunter." Duna spoke up.

"Yes?"

"We've come as far as we should go, so please save the most likely off topic conversation with Spinax until later."

"Oh, right." Hunter could see where the wind picked up in the distance. He looked to Rupert and Lila.

"Alright, it's up to you two to keep everyone safe from Zongazonga's magic while we're gone, got it?"

"Understood." Rupert nodded, then paused, "did I just…take orders from you."

"Think of it as more of a recommendation." Hunter shrugged, "y'know, if you don't want to die if he decides to attack the city….keep Lila safe too. That IS an order." He looked at the soul disc in his hand.

"Xerxes…I'm sorry." He said to himself, "you didn't get to live long enough to see this. But at the very least, I can carry your soul to the end of all of this. Guardian!" He shouted the last part aloud. A veil of purple flames surrounded the soul disc. Unlike Zongazonga's magic, the color was much lighter. The guardian exploded forth from the flames and let out an unearthly roar that clattered its bones together. The massive creature lowered itself to stare down Hunter.

"It's time." Hunter held out his hand. Guardian lowered its wing and Hunter climbed across it. The bone was rough and scrapped against his palms. Whenever he touched the void, it felt as if he would fall through. Still, he climbed on the back and set himself in a void space between the spine and ridge of the rib cage. Duna and Todd followed.

"Man, I used to be scared of these things." Todd stated as he climbed, "and now one of them is gonna help us save the islands."

"It is rather ironic that the vivosaurs used against you will now be used as your savior." Duna replied.

"Man, I don't know if I'll ever get used to that."

"One existential crisis at a time guys." Hunter grabbed Duna's hand and hoisted her up next to him. Todd joined right behind Duna, treading carefully to avoid her tail. The Guardian's massive tail sweeper slowly across the ground as it spread its wings. Two massive wing beats later and they were above the ground.

"See you soon!" Todd waved.

"Off we go." Duna braced herself.

"Let's rock." Hunter focused on the castle.

"YIPEE KI YAY MOTHE-" whatever Spinax was going to say, it was drowned out by the noise the guardian made as it took off. As it lifted into the sky, Hunter took one last look at the city. It grew slightly smaller and smaller as thy rose. Soon Rupert was a small speck. Him running was barely making any movement at all from this high up. Wait, why was he running towards them? Was he shouting something as well? Wait….why was only Rupert there? It was then that the trio heard a new noise instead of the rushing wind or the flap of wings.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Lila screamed as she clung desperately to the swinging tail of the guardian. Duna let out a slight roar as she transformed into her vivosaur form. In one sweeping movement, she skidded across the length of the tail, picked up Lila by her clothes, and jumped backwards. She shifted back to dinaurian form before steadying herself and sitting back down with Lila on her lap. The first thing Hunter did once she was safe was attempt to reel guardian back to turn around.

"Hunter stop." Duna put a hand on his shoulder, "we can't afford to have the guardian waste anymore energy"

"Then what are we supposed to do? I'm not taking Lila directly to zongazonga!"

"I can help Hunter! Please."

"I'm pretty sure I promised you I'd be safe and you would stay behind. What happened to that promise?"

"The promise was that you could go if I knew for certain that you'd be safe. I can't tell if you're being safe or not if I'm not there to check on you now can I?"

"….did you just get outplayed by a nine year old?" Spinax snorted, holding back laughter.

"….did I?"

"God, you suck at this." Dino sneered.

"Damn it Lila…" Hunter looked down steadily, "I can't keep YOU safe either if you're here. Maybe, if I had been a better teacher. Maybe if I was able to help you master your…." He looked at Todd.

"I know about it."

"Maybe if was able to help you master foresight, or maybe even teach you soulflame, then maybe I'd feel better. But no. You have no idea how much danger you put yourself in because I couldn't help."

"I…..I know I can help. Even if I'm not as strong as you want me to be, I'm sure I can help you guys smash Zongazonga into next week!" Hunter wiped his face, pulling at the eyelids.

"…fine, but you need to stay right next to one of us at ALL times. got it?"

"Really? Got it! Now let's go!" Guardian never stopped its ascent, so it was more of continuing than going. They shot across the sea towards the castle and illum island. Hunter felt the wind bite down on him, highlighting the pain in his wounds, especially on his forehead. He took a quick check at Duna. Her eyes were shut and her breathing was ragged. He wanted to say something, but that wouldn't do any good. They couldn't go back now.

"All according to plan right?" He mocked himself silently.

"More or less." Spinax replied, "with a bit of luck, we can fix her concussion later once we go kick some tail."

"You've been oddly laid back about the actual fighting part of the plan."

"That's because, my friend, I have my own plan."

"Oh really."

"It's quite genius, if I do say so myself."

"Okay, let's hear it then." While Spinax explained his "master ingenious foolproof 100% success plan of unfailing efficiency", Hunter tried his best to keep his mind focused. The plan was, admitted, pretty solid and would definently help with the fight. But the plan was honestly the last thing on his mind. People are counting on him. People who despise him are counting on him to save a world that left him to rot. A world where all the people he loves are made to suffer because of the consequences of his actions. The only thing that was outside of his actions, Zongazonga, still ties back to him because of the stupid fate Alvis tied him up in. Alvis should be the one to deal with this. He should be the one fighting zongazonga, using his strength to save this world. He…he should have been the one to witness the final moments of his own father. Alvis should be the one tied up in this damn plan, while Hunter should be in jail.

"No, NO. Keep it together." Hunter clapped his hands together as guardian approached the swirling mass that shielded the castle. Lightning crashed down from all directions, some getting dangerously close to guardian.

"Hunter, that bolt that struck near us?" Todd chimed in.

"Yeah?"

"It was PURPLE."

"….oh shi-" another lighting bolt crashed down almost on top of them. Guardian let out a roar and swerved through the sky, avoiding more consecutive bolts. They got closer and closer to the tornado that shrouded the castle.

"Go! Ancient Breath!" Guardian's only attack was firing a stream of bright purple flames. They did the trick, punching a hole through the tornado and making an opening. Unfortunately, they had to hover in place to use it.

"Move! Quick!" The creature started forward again, but not before a lighting strike came down and struck the upper section of the tail. Guardian shriek and started swerving wildly. Without its rudder of a tail to control its turning, the dragon boneysaur was sent spiraling downwards with all its passengers being flung from its back. The vivosaur retreated back into the soul disc and floated back into Hunter's holder. He tried to grab another medal in an attempt to slow his descent, but the wind pressure made his arm cuts sear with pain and he found he couldn't move it.

"Teffla!" Good thing Todd had the same idea. Teffla let out a cry and spread its wings, catching Todd, Lila, and Hunter. Duna angled herself toward the wing. Hunter reached out and their hands were set to grab each other. Suddenly, lighting struck teffla. It shrieked and bucked backwards. Hunter felt his fingers graze hers before she disappeared from his view.

"NO! SPINAX!" Ignoring the pain with a newfound fire, Hunter called Spinax who roared in with a flash of light.

"The things I do for you." Spinax grabbed Both of them and curled in as tornadoes shot from his feet to act as a counter force. The two vivosaurs spiraled down towards different parts of the city, quite a fair difference from the castle and their final battle.

3:45 am: 4 hours until Dawn.

When Hunter awoke, the first thing he noticed was how uncomfortable he was. The ground underneath was riddled with loose rocks that stabbed into his side. With a grunt, he pushed himself up and realized he had been sleeping on spinax's arm, who was currently asleep himself. The events of what put him in this situation came flooding back and he began looking around frantically.

"Duna, where's Duna?" He said to no one in particular as he started running in random directions trying to spot her. Spinax's massive frame shifted slightly.

"Next time you want to jump off a moving vivosaur hundreds of feet in the air, don't call me." He rolled and Duna's body slid off his other arm before resting at the ground. She wasn't moving.

"No." Hunter ran back to Spinax, nearly tripping over himself. He stumbled down next to Duna and leaned up her torso against spinax's bulk.

"What do I do, what do I do?"

"Calm down, check her pulse."

"Right right right…uh….."

"What?"

"Sorry Duna." Hunter pressed the side of his head to her chest and listened. Spinax made a noise that sounded somewhere between a pig snorting and a balloon deflating.

"What?"

"You do know there are other ways to check for a pulse right?"

"Wait, then why didn't you tell me?"

"Because she's actually fine, I just wanted to see you panic a bit more." Spinax laughed while Hunter punched his hide before turning back into a medal. Duna was left slumped against Hunter's side while he sat and waited for her to wake up. It didn't take long for another voice to interrupt that rest.

"Well well well, certainly not the landing you imagined, is it?" The raspy voice that echoed through his mind was instantly recognizable.

"Eh, I've had worse. You should be happy, it extended your lifespan by a bit."

"Such arrogance. You will soon see just how much you pale in comparison in the face of one such as I."

"Wow, tough talk. can't wait to hear you say it in the body of some Joe Shmoe that you picked up off the street to run away." At that, Zongazonga laughed a genuine laugh.

"Oh, you truly have no idea what is in store for you."

"Whatever it is, I'll get past it."

"I look forward to seeing you try." The voice disappeared and Hunter felt the mental strain lessen.

"Man, screw that guy." Dino commented.

"Indeed." Spinax put on one of his award winning accents, "'tis a fellow deserving of a good screwing."

"…."

"…..now you have to say 'screw him' too Hunter."

"Why?"

"Because 3 people makes a mob." While the mob argued about whether or not it was a mob, Hunter felt the weight leaning on him shift. He looked over to see Duna slowly open her eyes. They were clouded and…off-color?

"Hey, you alright?" He gently nudged Duna and she almost instantly became fully alert, her eyes now the same striking yellow as always.

"…where?"

"Somewhere In the city in front of the castle."

"Then we should get moving." Duna was up immediately and started walking. Hunter noticed she was stumbling as she walked.

"Hey," he tapped her on the shoulder.

"Yes?"

"…..can we talk?"

….…..

Todd and Lila walked quietly through the barren streets of the city. They couldn't use a vivosaur to get around. The second Todd tried calling out teffla again, lighting had struck around them.

"The best way to meet up with the others is to get to the castle." He explained to Lila, "they won't start fighting without us. We can get up there and wait for them."

"Alright, then let's move!" She began running towards the castle.

"Hey! Wait up!" Todd caught up to her and held a hand out to slow her down.

"We can't rush into this, we've gotta think these kinds of things through."

"Why? Shouldn't we get there sooner?"

"What if we get there and Hunter and Duna aren't there yet? What if we're left to fight Zongazonga by ourselves?"

"So? I came here to help and so did you. Why shouldn't we beat him?"

"Because we won't. I…I'm not strong enough." The reality was stark for Todd. He shouldn't be here. Hunter should be the one reassuring Lila, or Joe, or Rupert. Hell, there's probably a lot of others more qualified to fight an evil wizard that him.

"You can't know that for sure! You know what? I bet you're sacred. You're too scared to fight."

"Yeah, I'm scared." Lila didn't respond after that, so he kept talking.

"I'm scared. Hell, I'm terrified. I've never dealt with anything like this before. I couldn't even handle a tournament, much less raiding a castle for crying out loud! I have no idea why Hunter was okay with me coming and not Rupert, or literally anyone else. And you know what? That's okay. It's stupid not to be scared."

"I'm not scared."

"Then you're stupid, or at least you're acting stupid."

"Hey!"

"I don't mean that as an insult. I've realized a lot, I was being stupid too. I was too scared to do anything. You're pretending to not be scared so you're trying to do too much. Now I'm somewhere in the middle. I'm still scarred, but at the same time I know what needs to be done. That's why I'm here. Why are you here Lila?"

"…I'm here to help beat zongazonga."

"Right, so let's Help. And we can't help if we get ourselves killed. So tell you what, instead of being scarred or stupid, let's be brave. We'll be scared and we'll still keep on moving. How about it?"

"Alright, I can be brave!" Lila put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest. Todd laughed.

"Well, I bet if you can do it, I can do it too! Now let's go!" They moved at a brisk walk. Not crawling forward, not sprinting, but walking.

4:20 am: 3 hours until Dawn.

"Talk? About what?"

"About…..I don't know, anything other than this." He gestured to everything around them.

"Hmm…okay."

"Thank you. Just ask me anything."

"What will you do once this is over."

"Anything but that." Hunter tried to focus as they walked through the barren streets, "I've never really thought about it aside from, you know, how much jail time I'm gonna get for murder, resisting arrest, probably multiple assault charges-"

"Not that, what will you do after that?"

"…..can I move in with you?"

"What?"

"I'm thinking about what I'm going to do after everything. It's your hotel room after all. I don't have a place to stay….while I'm at it, can Lila move in as well?"

"Hmm." Duna rested a hand on her chin. He could tell she was leading him on, "I only have two beds."

"Well, I USED to have the money to buy a mattress. I could sleep on the couch….wait, so is that a yes?"

"I suppose it is." Duna looked back at him and smiled.

"I'll have to find a job too. Prize money is a bit too unreliable for a steady life. Especially if I'm still going to find a way to help Lila's grandmother."

"There is always room for employment at the dinaurian ship. They require cleaners."

"You guys pay in human currency?"

"…perhaps elsewhere."

"Maybe I could be a lab assistant. I'm good with fossils."

"Is that right?"

"Yep. I'll have you know, I scored 99 points on the entry cleaning test."

"You seem quite proud of that achievement."

"Yeah, I'd say maybe top 10 things I've done."

"Hmm?"

"Well, it's how I met Spinax, so I'm pretty glad I got a good score."

"what other events are you proud of?"

"Well, there's saving the world….twice technically. Becoming a master fighter. Asking you out. Helping Dino. Understanding spinax's referen-"

"What was that one earlier?"

"Helping Dino?"

"No, the one before that…Dino….."

"Yeah, Me."

"Hmm?" Duna turned again. Hunter was still there, but he looked different somehow. His eyes had a harder expression. It may been a trick of the light, but his hair was a slightly darker tone as well.

"Are you…..

"Yeah. I'm me." He started walking ahead of her, avoiding her gaze.

"I'm glad I've got the chance to speak to you."

"That so."

"I'd like to apologize for leading you to Alvis. Even if things seemed to work out and I was under the Influence of Alvis-"

"For the love of god, don't say it like that."

"….I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize, I don't care."

"You and Hunter are more similar than you originally seem to be."

"Huh? How so?"

"You both try to put on a more serious act in front of me."

"…..I do care. I care a whole damn lot. I care about getting back at all the people who wronged me. What I want from this shit stained world is revenge."

"Revenge against who aside from Alvis?"

"Well, it started with Hunter, but then I realized it wasn't his fault. First, I'm gonna help kill zongazonga. After that, you're next."

"Interesting."

"Heh, you should hear your boyfriend right now. He's shouting at me."

"How does it work between you two?"

"Hunter controls our body. He's the one walking right now." As if to prove a point, Hunter's body attempted to moonwalk and failed horribly.

"How do you plan to exact revenge if you can't control your own movements?"

"I'll find a way. I have to." Hunter's gaze softened as he looked back at Duna.

"He doesn't really want revenge. He's still vulnerable and wants something to blame on his situation."

"Ah…I understand." Hunter clasped his head in his hands.

"I wish this was less complicated. I wish Dino had his own soul and I could help somehow….but things aren't going to work that way. I'm going to jail after this and probably won't find a job because of it and I won't be able to-" Hunter lifted his head as he felt a familiar material cover his shoulders. Almost instinctively, he slid his arms through his jacket sleeves and pulled the collar up to his neck.

"…..thanks. I was wondering when I'd get this back."

"Perhaps it will help you feel safe."

"How?"

"It worked for me."

5:15 am: 2 hours until Dawn.

"Hey!" Lila shouted as she started running towards Hunter and Duna. She hugged Hunter around the waist, who was startled for a moment but then hugged back. Todd soon joined the group as they had all reached the stairway leading to the castle.

"All right, we're here." Hunter stated at the swirling mass of winds at the top of the castle, "he's up there, waiting for us." He put a foot on the first step.

"Everyone ready?"

"Yes."

"Sure!"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"You know it."

"Let's kick his ass."

"Alright then, let's go." The group started walking up the stairs slowly. Hunter pulled his jacket closer to his sides and furiously wished he had a zipper. Duna started walking ahead of him.

"Okay. Okay. Okay. Focus. FOCUS." He shook his head furiously as he spoke to himself.

"Head in the game coach! It's the 4th quarter."

"Right, right."

"….that means your eyes should be up there buddy."

"What are you…OH." Hunter covered his wandering eyes and finally fully focused as they reached the top. It was a barren stone plateau with a massive throne sitting by the opposite side to the stairs. The throne was constructed entirely of twisted bones. Zongazonga was nowhere to be found.

"Stay close Lila." As they spread to the sides of the platform in an attempt to cover all the bases, Duna walked straight for the throne.

"Hey, be careful. It might be dangerous." Duna laughed, it was a raspy laugh that sounded unlike her. The gears in Hunter's head began to click into place.

"Did she just-" Todd noticed it too, "….Lila, get behind me."

"This bastard didn't…" Spinax growled. Duna turned to face the three of them as she sat down in the throne.

Her eyes glowed with malice as they were now a deep purple color.

"Hunter mov-" that was as far as Todd got before there was fighting. In a lightning fast movement, Hunter had activated soulflame and blocked the already incoming dark whipped that had lashed out from Duna's body.

"So this was your grand plan? Take over Duna?"

"It was quite the ingenious task, if I say so myself." It was still Duna's voice that spoke back to him.

"If I'm being completely transparent, I have gathered enough energy from this body to assume my ultimate form."

"Is that right? Then why go after my body again?"

"Simple. When I assume my purest form, I will consume large amounts of energy. The strength of a god such as myself is not to be taken likely. I would prefer to have a suitable vessel to return to once I assert myself as ruler."

"…wait…you mean…"

"Oh yes. This body will wither the second I choose to ascend to the godhood I have so rightfully deserved."

"You damn bastard."

"Not the most eloquent of last words, I must say."

"Okay, how about this? There's no way in hell you're gonna take my body, keep Duna's body, or walk away from this alive."

"I wouldn't speak that way to someone who can do this." Purple smoke enveloped Duna's hand.

"Lila, look away!" Todd attempted to simultaneously cover her eyes and his own. Hunter watched in horror as the tips of Duna's fingers were seared off. Small clacking noises echoed out in silence. They were coming from her fingernails as they fell off. For a split second, Her eyes turned back to their natural color.

Hunter heard an ear splitting scream.

"Okay! OKAY!" It all stopped as soon as he shouted. Duna, or rather, zongazonga got up from the throne and admired their now bleeding hand mockingly.

"Such a shame. Part of me wanted to destroy you with my true power."

"Just shut up. I give, alright? You got me. Just DON'T kill her…please."

"Hmm. I accept this condition. Come here. It will be poetic. Earth's ruler in the body of its savior."

"Hang on, that's not fair!" Lila shouted at zongazonga, "c'mon Hunter, there's gotta be another way!"

"No. As a matter of fact, this way is the best one." He stated Todd in the eyes as he said this."

"You're sure."

"Yeah."

"Then go for it." Todd held Lila back as she charged at zongazonga.

"You got a plan?" Spinax asked.

"Sort of."

"That's a dumb plan, I like it." Hunter calmly walked up to face him. He clasped a hand around the velociraptor claw pendant dangling from his neck.

"Though I regret not being able to claim your body as my own sooner. This is quite the second pick." Zongazonga flexed Duna's muscles. Her tail swished back and forth. Hunter bit down on his lower lip.

"Oh? Do you not like this? Does it cause you distress to see your partner in pain?" Zongazonga began moving her arm down her body, cutting into the skin with the hand that still had nails. He couldn't do anything, not yet.

"If you can just possess a body while the original soul is still inside it, why the whole skull thing?"

"Simple, some mortals are to useless to do anything even if they contain a separate conscience."

"So it's arrogance. In that case, why don't you and I play a little game?"

"Hehehe. What game could be more enjoyable than the one we're playing right now?"

"THIS ONE." Hunter dug the claw pendant into his neck. Lila shouted, but Hunter himself was smiling. Sharp pain pulsed through his system.

"The rules are simple. You hurt Duna? I pull the claw down my neck. You try and take my body? I slit my throat. You make Any move? I DIE. Got it?

"You miserable little creature!" He hissed, "how dare you challenge me!" Black whips shot from Duna towards Hunter. With soulflame burning bright, he ducked and dodged his way through all of them. Zongazonga turned furiously to keep an eye on Hunter's movements.

"I've been running from people for my entire life. What makes you think you could catch me?" In a rage, zongazonga began hurling orbs of dark magic. Hunter felt one graze him and a horrible shiver ran through his entire body. He couldn't get hit. He rushed at Zongazonga, who recoiled slightly. That was what he was betting on. He grabbed Duna's hand and held it to the the claw pendant in his neck.

"You gonna kill me?"

"I could if I wanted to. I just require you alive to take your body."

"Then it looks like this game is over. How about another one?" He held Spinax's Dino medal in his hand.

"This my plan now?" He perked up.

"Yep." He flipped Spinax's Dino medal in the air and nodded to Todd.

"Heads or tails?" For a split second, Zongazonga's eyes darted to the medal spinning in the air for a moment. That was all Todd needed to run up.

"Oh, by the way. The game wasn't about calling the medal, or whether I would die. It was whether or not you would notice I didn't have the soulcrusher." Zongazonga's eyes widened for a moment right before Todd brought the soulcrusher right into the side of Duna's head. Instead of a skull flying outwards, it was a glowing purple flame: Zongazonga's soul.

"Now!" Todd threw the soulcrusher to Hunter, who was already moving towards the soul. He grabbed it out of the air and prepared to swing.

"Looks like you lost." Hunter wished that was the end. Unfortunately, life never works that way. At least, not for him.

"Did you REALLY THINK IT WOULD BE THAT SIMPLE?!" The soulcrusher hit the soul. Nothing happened. He swung again. Nothing. The soul began to turn a darker color as it expanded. A memory occurred to Hunter. A swirling black mass that almost engulfed his entire mind before he would wake up. Only he was wide awake this time.

"Alright, so what happened at the end of the dream?"

"Well, you and another vivosaur would appear and fight the thing that came out."

"Bitchin, did I win?"

"….I would always wake up first."

"….less Bitchin."

"How'd you even learn that word."

"Dino taught it to me."

"Of course he did."

"Another thing I'm about to teach you guys is FOCUS ON THE GODDAMN PROBLEM." The problem was now the size of the throne. In fact, it was encompassing the throne. The wind began whipping, creating a vacuum around the orb. The first thing Hunter did was go to Duna, who had remained limp on the ground. He picked her up and joined Todd and Lila.

"So hey, I've just kinda been spinning in the air for a good few minutes now. Want me to do something about all this?"

"That would be appreciated." In a blinding flash of light, Spinax appeared already enveloped in the colors of soulflame energy.

"Teffla! Help us out!" Todd's vivosaur joined the ranks and took up the rest of the room on the platform. As the orb stopped growing, two glowing eyes appeared within. There were blue…and burning.

"That….that can't….what?" Was all Hunter could say. Zongazonga's laughter echoed through his brain.

"Did you think you and your ability were special? Foolish boy. YOU ARE NOTHING." Massive skeletal hands reached out from the orb as it took a shape. That shape was a vivosaur similar in built to t-Rex, but there was a skeletal frame over its top that had two extra arms coming out the sides. The creature had horns growing at the top. The two burning eyes bore into Hunter's soul as it displayed the full length of its body. This was Zongazonga's true form. A monster.

"THIS IS THE END." The creature roared, "THE END OF YOUR GAMES AND YOUR LIFE."

"Alright then, no more playing games." Hunter readied himself.

"We'll start by making you stop playing god."

6:00 am: 1 hour until Dawn.