AN- I only own Janus and Orchid. 'Kay?
Chapter 7: A New Crusade
Strangely colored torches lighted the chamber that Rayman found himself in. The chamber had been carved into the rock wall hundreds of years ago as tomb for someone. Several Rayman-esque creatures lay mummified in sarcophagi that lined the room. Four of the sarcophagi contained mummies, while the fifth one was empty. He instinctively knew that he would end up in it when he died.
As he walked forward to see the mummies, he heard a voice in head. "My son, welcome to the tomb of the RaiIts hair was ' Muana."
"Father?" Rayman asked.
"Yes." The voice continued. "I am, in a way, your father. I will tell you everything about yourself; about Janus, your birth, and your destiny."
At that, Rayman sat on the floor and closed his eyes. The air in the room immediately put him into a deep sleep.
*******
In his dream, Rayman traveled into an early segment of time. He saw the dreamer, Polokus, calling existence forth through his dreams. Then he saw the life of those who lived in the world. Everything was happy. He wanted to join the people he saw in their merriment, but he knew he couldn't.
Suddenly, the sky darkened. A cloud descended on the world, destroying everything in its path. Rayman felt the fear of the people now, and wanted to help them. The cloud then began to form into a man, a tall gaunt man with gray eyes. A man Rayman knew by one name. Janus.
As the years dragged on, he saw more of the battle between the people of the world and Janus. Many warriors were sent to defeat Janus, but none ever returned. The people had now all but abandoned their carefree lifestyle, now trying to stay alive. Rayman suddenly felt a cold hatred for Janus, knowing that he could never let him terrorize the world again.
*******
Before Rayman's eyes, the dream changed again. He was taken into a secluded chamber of the earth where the Heart of the World stood. It too felt sorrow for the people, and wanted to help them all. It then knew what to do; it would create a hero.
A single lum fell from the Heart onto the ground. For a second it felt isolated from the Heart, but only for that second. The Heart poured memories and emotions into the lum, memories of the people of the world, and all of their joys, sorrows, fears, laughter, tears, and love. Then, the lum began to grow. It grew until it was the size of one of the people on the world, and then it began to change into one of them as well.
When this metamorphosis had been completed, the Heart saw that its child was not merely a lum anymore. It was a medium sized creature without limbs, but an aura of strength about it. It had black eyes that could look cold and compassionate at the same time. Its had a pinwheel pattern of hair and wore a purple shirt decorated with lums.
The Heart beamed down upon its child. "My son. Do you know why I created you?"
"Yes." He replied. The Heart had showed him the destruction caused by Janus in his creation.
"My son, never forget this. You are made of all living creatures in this world. They will respect and love you, and you must love them back and take care of them. Now, you must go save them all. Good luck, my son…"
*******
Janus was surprised to see the small figure walking up towards him. His reputation had spread and few people had dared to challenge him. He grinned as the prospect of a new fight approached him.
"Fool," he snarled, "why do you come here? Do you know who I am?"
"Yes." The hero said with a cold look in his eyes. "I know who you are, and I've come to end your tyranny."
Janus laughed. "Do you know how easily I could kill you?"
"We'll see." The hero said, taking out a staff. Janus then unsheathed the sword he wore around his waist. The battle then began. Janus stared at his enemy, thrusting his sword at him. The little warrior dodged his blows and struck his with his staff. Janus, surprised by this, increased the ferocity of his sword slashes. The hero was hit by one of them, but replied with a blow of his own, dazing Janus. While he was stunned, Janus couldn't dodge the energy blast that the hero shot at him.
Janus felt anger for the first time in his life. This was a warrior worth his time at last. Yelling, Janus tossed his sword into the air. It then multiplied itself into several swords that shot themselves at the warrior. He lifted up his staff, destroying them all. Then, Janus raised his right hand, laughing as it lit on fire. He then shot fireballs at the hero. These all hit their mark, stunning the warrior. Janus then laughed with triumph.
"Now you die!" He yelled, attempting to impale the hero. His enemy suddenly snapped out of his daze and dodged his foe, smacking him in the side of his face with his staff. Janus felt a blazing hatred for his foe; he yelled, creating a tremor that rocked the world. The hero was caught in the tremor and fell through the hole into the bottomless depths of the planet.
"It was a good fight," Janus said smugly, "but I always win in the end." Suddenly, he stopped cold. The hero stood before him again, staff in hand.
"Janus," he said coldly, "your evil has tainted the world for too long!" At that, he unleashed bolt after bolt of energy at him. Janus was severely weakened by this, so he wasn't able to defend himself. The hero then cast a spell at his foe. A blue crystal suddenly emerged trapping the evil warrior. The hero felt satisfied. His work was done.
*******
As these images flashed through Rayman's head, the Heart of the World told him one thing more.
"As your ancestors all worked to protect the world, you must too. Remember, also, that you and the staff are both almost out of power. You must head to see me so I can empower you. Only then can you stand against Janus. Fare you well, my son…"
*******
Orchid was beginning to worry about Rayman. He had been inside the chamber for a very long time.
"Will he be okay?" She asked Jano.
"Don't worry, my dear." Jano replied. "Your friend is following in the footsteps of all the Rai' Muana. He will come when he is ready. Ah, there he is!"
As Jano spoke, the chamber door opened. Rayman walked out, looking much older, but also much happier. Orchid immediately went over and hugged him.
"I'm so glad you're alright!" She told him, trying hard to keep the concern out of her voice. "You were in there for three days!"
"Three days?" Rayman asked in shock. "It only felt like two hours!"
"Well, whatever happened I'm glad you're alright!" Orchid told him, sobbing slightly.
"Hey, uh, any room for a third?" Murfy asked.
"Of course, Murfy!" Rayman said.
"Well, Rayman, I see you have learned much." Jano told him. "I wish I could go with you to help defeat Janus, but I need to guard this cave. But I can help you in other ways. Is there any help you need?
"Yes, actually." Rayman told him. "Do you know where the Heart of the World is?"
"Yes." Jano nodded. "It is in the Blue Mountains. It is carefully guarded, but you can see the Heart if you are strong of body and heart. I will now take you there." Jano then picked up his staff. He mumbled a few things, causing a green beacon of light to appear near Rayman. He and his friends immediately entered the beacon.
"Good luck, hero of the world…"
