Disclaimer (Shakes the Magic 8 Ball) Do I own Zelda?? (The ball reads "Heck no") What?! (Hurls the ball across the room)
Wee! Cliffies are fun! But now Kohachan is gone and Matt and Crystal are next on the list. The night is still young. So, without waiting, onto the dedications!
As always, this chapter goes out to MonoChronos and LunaYami. It also goes out to Dragon Killer (Man, you update fast! Yep, I will finish . . . just not in this chapter.), Mithrandir (00; Maa maa, calm down! Kohachan was more than my favorite character. But he is gone now. We have to deal with it and move on in the story.), Unnamed Unknown (o.0;; Yes, I am updating. No need for a dagger. Glad you like it so far!), Angle1 (Told you I am evil. And this chapter gets worse. So brace yourself. And as always, thanks for the reviews!), Shadow Knight . . .
(A rift opens in the air and Merrick, Rei, and Nisiko each tumble out)
Oro? Hey guys, what's up?
Merrick: (Jumps to his feet and brushes himself off) Not much. Only that Shadow Knight hates when you put cliffies in chapters. As do many other reviewers.
Neh? Uh-oh . . .
Another figure jumps from the rift as the rift closes
Shadow Knight: REVEANGE! (Waves Harukaze around then charges at Shadow Girl)
Gah! Can we talk about this?! (Jumps back before a broadsword appears and trips Shadow Knight up)
Nisiko: (Crouching beside the fallen Shadow Knight and brandishing the broadsword) Calm down, already and just wait until after this chapter. Then you can exact vengeance.
How about we skip the vengeance?
Shadow Knight: (Springs back to his feet) NEVAH! XD (Tackles Shadow Girl and gets her into a tight headlock) REVENGE FOR THE EVIL CLIFFIE!!
OO;; Let . . . me . . . finish! (Turning colors)
Merrick, Nisiko, Rei: (Jump on Shadow Knight and each work to pry him off) Calm down already!! (Ties him up to a chair with chains and ropes)
Shadow Knight: (Struggles against the bonds) NOOO!!! THERE MUST BE VENGEANCE!! (Starts getting free)
o.o;; Weee.... Crazy opening. Well, before my fate is sealed, let's get on with the chapter.
(Several loud snaps are heard as Shadow Knight breaks free)
Shadow Knight: MUAHAHAHA!!! (Waves Harukaze around and starts chasing after Shadow Girl with it)
AIIYYY!!!! (Dives out the window and runs for the hills from the crazed boy)
Shadow Knight: YOU WON'T GET AWAY!!! (Crashes through the wall beside the window leaving an outline of himself in the wall and keeps chasing Shadow Girl)
Merrick: (Shakes his head and looks to the others) Looks like they are going to be gone for a while. Anyone want a pizza? Pepperoni and sausage!
Rei: Nah . . . has to be with plain cheese. But let's just show the chapter. Maybe your charge will settle down after reading it.
Nisiko: Shakes her head We will see. So, onto the chapter!
Darkness to Darkness
With a word rather than motion, Tarawen brought Trasul to a skidding halt and looked back. The yell could only mean one thing. She turned the stallion around to face the snow once more. In the distance, the Kitsune could clearly see the mounted demon calmly walking in her direction. But Kohachan was not seen standing.
A glint of tiny blue light winked and sparkled from the Demon somehow. Tarawen tried to look closer and could see the glint coming from the pommel of the Dark Moon Blade. Was it some sort of new power? No . . . something about it seemed terribly wrong. But then what was it?
Cursing her curiosity, she drove Trasul into a run through the snow to get a closer look at what had happened. Her thoughts went to Matt, though, and if he was safe where he was. Tarawen halted Trasul once more as the Demon turned in a new direction then to the northwest. Tarawen also looked to see Crystal running through the snow towards then, curiosity, fear, and gladness of seeing a friend was in her face and eyes.
Tarawen drew a sharp breath as she saw Demon Zolaris run the Gerudo bred horse towards Crystal. Cursing under her breath, she dug into herself to awaken her potent magic and kicked the black stallion under her into a mad dash. Trasul shot across the ground once more, snorting for breath as he charged toward Crystal.
"FOX FIRE!" Tarawen yelled and aimed her open palm toward Demon Zolaris. Flames lit over the snow and flew at the Demon and mount as he charged. The Gerudo war horse snorted in anger and shied slightly from the oncoming flames. Demon Zolaris easily deflected the magic from causing harm but his mount took a misstep in the snow and fell to his knees.
Tarawen held back any victory shout and continued charging toward Crystal. Still, there was much ground separating the rider from the runner. The air around Crystal darkened suddenly and Demon Zolaris appeared to reach for Crystal, his face filled with anger as he drew the Dark Moon Blade to strike.
A bright flash of blue light formed between Crystal and Demon Zolaris. As Crystal fell back in the snow, a familiar Deity's sword smacked the pommel of the Dark Moon Blade hard enough to drive it away from touching Crystal. "Link!" Crystal paused when she could see better and noticed it was not the young Hylian boy towering over her.
Oni Link glanced at Crystal out of the corner of his eye then kept his silver eyes locked on Demon Zolaris, "Get out of here!" Demon Zolaris questioned Oni with his eyes. "Deity, you have interfered for the last time!" the demon growled in his throat and motioned the blade as though to stab Oni.
Easily knocking aside the move, Oni shot a glance at Tarawen then turned on Crystal, his face full of irritation, and commanded her mentally {Crystal, get out of the snow and go to the Kitsune! Do it now!} Crystal winced slightly from the force of the command but scrambled from the snow and started to run again.
A bright purple light appeared from the snow Crystal fell in and wavered about a bit, wings fluttering quickly to shake off the clinging snow. Navi looked up at Oni Link and at Demon Zolaris before fluttering up to Oni's hat, "What's going on?!" But she was ignored for the while.
Tarawen directed the black horse around the Demon to get Crystal while Oni held him off. She held an arm out while getting closer to Crystal and saw Crystal ready to grab hold of it. Oni saw what was going on and tried harder to shove Oni Link off but to no avail as the Deity held his ground.
Crystal grabbed hold of Tarawen's hand and was pulled up behind the Kitsune, mindful of the tail, to hold onto her sides. Tarawen brought Trasul to a stop then pivoted the stallion back toward the Gerudo Valley and spurred the horse into another mad dash away. Trasul was beginning to work for breath but did as he was asked.
Oni Link watched them from the corner of his eye and thought of a potential problem. No matter where they went, Demon Zolaris would be able to track them down. If they went to the Gerudo Fortress, they would lead Demon Zolaris to Matt as well. Even if they went to the lake or to the forest, it would not help them much. He had to hold the Demon off as long as he could.
The Dark Moon Blade became solid once more and flashed under the bright moon stabbing toward Oni's head. Oni swept to the side then came back with his own attack, letting his blade glow fiercely with power and brought it up under Demon Zolaris' ribs. Predicting the move, Demon Zolaris managed to counter the attack once more.
A wave of power washed from either blade as the two swordsmen tried to shove against each other yet neither gave. Demon Zolaris grinned slightly and sent Oni Links' blade to the side leaving the Deity's side exposed for attack. Before Demon Zolaris could attack, Oni caught his ground and brought the blade at a slight downward angle. Sending a quick burst of energy into the steel, he felt the blade jerk in his hands and pull him into the spin.
A halo of light surrounded him, warding off the demon by the power. When the ring of light slowly dissipated, Oni held the blade in a defensive position. Demon Zolaris sneered at the move then tried a series of thrusts each aimed at a separate part of Oni. Oni managed to avoid or parry most stabs but the final one managed to cut into his right arm.
Oni hissed in pain as the thought passed through his mind 'He's fast. Very fast.' Before he could counter another strike, the steel of the Dark Moon Blade cut deeply into the tip of his ear. A single twitch cut through the flesh, dragging a pained howl from Oni then clipped two inches from Oni Link's ear. Oni Link held his freely bleeding ear for a moment before glaring at Demon Zolaris.
From the time it took to turn the glare on the demon, Oni was met with a wave of darkness flying from the Dark Moon Blade. It was similar to the wave Gramps had taught Link. Taking the broadsword into both hands, Oni felt his power surge into the metal then drove a silver wave of his own power to block the dark one. But the power used was taxing on the deity while the demon was unaffected.
'The sword . . . the sword and the demon . . . they must be drawing on Kelta's power . . . This is not good.'
A silent moment passed between the fighters before both acted. Oni Link brought the long hilt of his sword into both hands despite the injury in his arm and thrust the blade quickly at Demon Zolaris. Simultaneous to the Deity's move, Demon Zolaris jumped up into a crouch and landed with his feet standing on Oni Links' broad sword.
They glared at each other for a moment in the lock even as the power of Oni's blade threatened to burn Demon Zolaris' feet. The demon smirked as his eyes gleamed as darkly as the dragon's eyes, "You know you can't defeat me. I told you before; you are not my true opponent. Only the chosen of Shasta, the Light Moon God, can defeat me!"
Oni Link glared harder and felt his vision turning red from anger. The move Demon Zolaris pulled reminded him too sharply of Shadow Link in the Water Temple. Every thrust was stopped by the shadow imitator jumping up onto the blade. And going through that irritation of a fight was more than enough!
"Heard it all before, Nullfit." Oni snorted and twisted the blade to slip between Demon Zolaris' feet and slash upward. Demon Zolaris glanced in horror at the aimed slash and brought the Dark Moon Blade down to save himself from being impaled where the moon don't shine.
The blades met with a spray of sparks both silver and violet/black but Demon Zolaris could not move away from the Deity's sword fast enough to avoid the tip of the blade biting into sensitive flesh. He saw flashes brighter than Oni's gleaming blade shine before his eyes as his mind blanked from anything but the sudden and intense pain. He nearly dropped the Dark Moon Blade but kept as good a grip on it as he could.
Oni Link didn't wince in sympathy but he didn't roar with laughter either. An evil grin came across his face as Demon Zolaris doubled over a bit, blood falling freely down his legs. Without wasting any time, Oni Link rushed the nearly fallen demon and brought a booted foot in a high kick aimed under his chin. Demon Zolaris choked on a yelp and flew backward into the air to land deeply into the snow on his back.
Deep laughter at first faint then slowly growing filled the air. Oni growled angrily as he realized that the laughter came from his opponent. Had the demon gone delirious? Before he could demand to know what was funny, Demon Zolaris chuckled once more and began to rise from the snow and provided, "You think mere flesh wounds created by your sword will stop me for long? Haven't you yet realized that my power is above your league?!"
Light began to envelop the snow around Demon Zolaris. The dark light similar to Ganondorf's magic, surrounded the form of the demon then seemed to pulse and swirl before vanishing into the wounds of the demon, healing each of them and cleaning his clothes.
Fully recovered, Demon Zolaris stood up and drew the Dar Moon Blade on guard. He smirked, "It is foolish for you to continue resisting me. Heed my words. This night will be the night that my God, Kelta, will be deemed the superior as he is meant to be! Nothing can stop him now! Least of all, you mere nuisances!" He let a roar of victorious laughter then grinned again, "I must bid thee farewell for now, Oni. The stage elsewhere is set for my arrival." The demon did a mocking bow and vanished in a haze of black magic.
Oni Link blinked a moment, letting his sword arm press to the wound in his other arm and stared at the air where the Demon had given the speech. "The stage elsewhere was set? What by Nayru's Love does that mean?"
"It means he is going after the two final keys now. He was trying to go after Crystal but that was stopped. Tarawen must have gotten Crystal all the way to the fortress by now." Navi softly provided. She appeared before Oni Link and fluttered around him, looking at his injuries then spoke up softly again, "Perhaps we should get you to a Fairy's Fountain? You got injured more times that Demon Zolaris did!"
"No." Oni said firmly, his voice calm and clear despite the fires of pain filling his injured arm and ear, the pain spreading through his head as well as the blood seeping from the ear while the power drain left his thoughts hazy still. He reached to the snow and pulled up a handhold to press over the flatted ear as he continued, "Demon Zolaris was right. I am not the one who can defeat him. Toloran has to be the one to fight him. If anyone, he can match him blow for blow. And now, Navi, we have to find him before it is too late for Crystal and Matt. Can you find him?"
Navi thought for a moment then shook her head, "I'm sorry. But he shouldn't be too far away if he is going to fight that demon anyway, should he?"
"No, he shouldn't. But he is not here now is he? Hmm . . . the night of the lunar eclipse is the night when both Warriors of the Moon will walk the earth." Oni Link looked up at the moon. To his surprise, a small curve of the moon was already slowly being covered by the shadow of the earth. The light of the moon was failing to the shadows of the world. Why did that seem ironic to him?
"It must be that Demon Toloran will awaken when the moon is no longer visible. And that is also when the true fight will begin. Yet Crystal and Matt must be kept safe until that time! It is too late for one already." He looked around across the snow, past where the fallen Gerudo stallion was.
Beyond the mount, a form was laying in the snow. Oni recalled the blue eyes of one of the dragon's heads. Growling in his throat, he ran to the figure to see Kohachan lying very still in the snow. "And so it has begun. Come on Navi. We have work to do." Oni knelt in the snow and managed to lift Kohachan to his shoulder then called the blue crystal about himself. The world faded to the darkness of the travel magic and the night was left in peace on the field once more.
(elsewhere)
Black hooves continued to flash over the ground as the path turned from snow to earth once more. Trasul's two riders did not turn back even though they could hear the battle wage behind them between demon and deity. They tore through the canyon, calling to the guards to allow passage and only slowed the frantic pace when they reached to fortress once more.
Trasul fought for breath as his frothed sides heaved from the effort. Crystal dropped from his back then Tarawen also dismounted as a group of Gerudo came to their aid, one taking the tired horse to walk him around and help him recover. Tarawen found a shoulder and leaned against it. "That did not happen. Tell me that did not happen."
Amora held under Tarawen's leaning and blinked in question. She took Tarawen's shoulders and made the Kitsune look at her, "Calm down. What happened out there?" Tarawen shook her head then bottled her emotion and began explaining what had happened.
Moving away from the group, Crystal saw another figure sneaking to the stairs and trying to go unnoticed. She narrowed her eyes and recognized the figure to be Matt. She looked at the Gerudo but the half-dozen who had met them were intent on Tarawen. Crystal took the break and ran across the desert ground to meet Matt and find out where he was going.
Matt was at the stairs clinging to the shadows the wall-like cliff provided and racing down them when the sound of an approaching Gerudo guard. He stopped on the stairs and looked to his equipment. With luck, he could take out the guard with his staff before she could sound any kind of alarm. Then he could seek out Crystal and help her out.
"Matt, hold up!" A fervent whispered call sounded behind him in a familiar voice. Matt paused just before he was going to lunge from the shadows. He looked back up the stairs to see Crystal sneaking into the shadows as well and getting nearer. He let a sigh of relief but it was short lived as the guard was coming closer.
Swearing lightly under his breath, he ran up the stairs again and grabbed Crystal's hand, pausing by her only long enough to whisper, "Don't ask questions or yell. Just follow me, now." He started running up the last of the stairs and across the packed dirt, half-pulling Crystal behind him.
The two ran to the entrance beside the crates, knowing the crates led to areas where the Gerudo were sure to be to wait the guard change. Going through the dark entrance next to it, they came upon the corner then down a ramp into an empty room. Both were breathing a bit harder from the mad dash and chose the room to rest in. Crystal looked over at Matt, "Plan on letting me go soon?"
Matt blinked then noticed he hadn't let her hand go. A light blush rising in his cheeks, he let her go and looked around. Four lit torches were at each corner of the room but what caught his attention was the fact that most of one wall was turned into a cage. "So, this is the prison room or what? Thought there would be more cells . . ."
"There are. Zelda told me about the Gerudo. They put the cells in separate rooms so escape or rescue attempts aren't as easy. They also have a pit but that is reserved for real trouble-makers." Crystal grinned a bit. She could imagine the Gerudo throwing Matt into the pit, though he was a friend. She didn't want any friend to be thrown into a pit.
"Hmm . . . then it's probably good I didn't go insane." Matt mused with a soft chuckle and went into the cell for kicks. Above the wide open cell entrance was a larger green panel. He guessed that that was where the door was held up. Inside the cell, there was a bit of old hay thrown into the corner possibly as the weak attempt of a prison bed and a nice lot of dirt and grime built up at the corners of the cell.
He grinned back at Crystal from behind the criss-crossed bars then rattled them with his hands, shaking the wall as though trying to get out, "I tell ya, I didn't do it! You'll get nothing out of me, I sayeth!"
Crystal went into a fit of laughter but shook her head. She never did like cages or being penned in. Matt shrugged and relaxed inside the cell, leaning a shoulder to the bars, "Well, I have seen better. But then I have seen worse also. This is average." Crystal let out the last of her giggles and poked Matt's shoulder, "Why were you running from the Gerudo anyway? Got into trouble already? And don't you think you should get out now?"
The boy stuck his tongue out at her, "Spoil sport." But he started for the gate nonetheless, "I was running because I got my stuff back before they said I could have it back." Before he could exit the cell, however, the gate slammed shut in front of him. "Matt!" Crystal panicked and grabbed at the door, trying to heave it open again but it wouldn't budge. Even as Matt tackled the door and trying pulling at it, it still would not give.
Laughter echoed through the room, soft as the shadows. The torches each flickered slightly as a shadow formed in the center of the room. Instinctively, Crystal drew her daggers though a chill ran through her spine. The shadow forming solidified then changed to become the figure of a man.
Eyes as dark as the shadow, outlined in white formed from the head before the darkness parted, revealing silver-like hair over sharp features of a young man, grinning cruelly at them. Both Crystal and Matt could see something different about him. It was not in his clothing but in his features. He looked stronger and greatly amused by the situation.
Demon Zolaris smirked as he stepped completely from the shadows, "Well, well, well. Looks like I don't have to go hunting you down individually after all. What a nice surprise. And the brat even locked himself up for me. How convenient." The demon laughed under his breath and looked to Crystal outside the cage. "I was thinking of claiming my revenge against the boy first . . . but this can work to my advantage. He can watch you die first!"
"Crystal, run!" Matt yelled, his voice thickened by anger and a hint of fear for her. Crystal started for the hall leading from the room but bars of darkness closed over the exit. She tried going for the other door, back the way Matt and she had entered, but more bars formed over that exit as well. "You can not have thought that would work." Demon Zolaris snorted, the smirk never leaving his face.
The Dark Moon Blade flashed in Demon Zolaris' hand once more, the golden gleam by the torch light became dark like the shadows that brought him. The blade with gleaming blue eyes was ready to take another key.
Metal striking metal was heard amplified in the small room as Matt beat mercilessly at the bars with his own sword. Oblivious to the sound, Demon Zolaris fixed a glare on Crystal to hold her in her place. Crystal did the only thing she could do, though. She used her ability once more to break the Demon's hold and turn it into her own.
Inside his soul, Crystal could find nothing but darkness at first. A figure began to form surrounded and engulfed by the shadows. A closer look showed this figure to be the real Zolaris. He was chained helpless by invisible bonds and seemed to be in a deep but feverish sleep. The closer she tried to get to him, the further away he was taken from her.
{Foolish girl. You think you can defeat my spirit with your Power?!} Demon Zolaris' voice came from everywhere and no where. Another figure, one of the darkness, formed where Zolaris once was. It was the demon in his true form. An indefinable being radiating with power. His very humanoid yet beastly form shimmered with a deep violet and crimson, the very eyes of the creature were almond shaped spots of blood red darkness.
When Crystal tried to pull away, the same invisible bonds around Zolaris formed around her, not letting her go. The demon grinned evilly with its eyes and approached the young girl's consciousness.
Matt gripped the bars, his knuckles going white, as he saw Demon Zolaris holding the girl with his eyes. The demon seemed to be taken off-guard for a moment then regained himself. Crystal lost her control and was set into a trance. Matt tried calling out to her, yelling, beating the bars of the cell but nothing would awaken Crystal. Demon Zolaris grinned evilly.
Suddenly, Crystal, while still in the odd trance, grimaced as though pain. She stepped back then could move no further, as though her feet were nailed to the ground. Matt started barking threats, curses, and oaths but nothing deterred the demon as he approached Crystal.
Crystal gave a low, choked groan of pain and clutched the sides of her head. Her eyes were still locked wide on the demons as he got closer. Crystal gasped as the lock of eyes was broken. Just as she began to fall, the shadow-like blade arched from beside her and through her chest completely.
"NOOO!" Matt roared and pounded on the bars with his gloved hands and stared wide-eyes as Crystal fell to the ground, her skin unharmed but the Dark Moon Blade held a silvery aura about it before the darkness of the blade consumed it as well. Another pair of eyes on the hilt of the blade began to glow opposite the blue. The eyes winked red and sparkled for a moment before steadily glowing.
Demon Zolaris grinned wider at the shout of rage then looked to Matt, the evil grin of pure exaltation grew slightly more, "And that makes two down, boy. I hope you enjoyed the view. Cause that was a preview of your own fate!"
Matt spat at the demon, his rage flaring on high as he tore his gaze from Crystal's still form, "You coward! You got into her head, not even giving her a chance!! And now you are going to take me while I'm stuck behind these cursed bars?! COWARD!!" Matt glared with a fire in his eyes at the demon even behind the bars. His sword was still clutched in one hand while he held to a bar of the cell with the other.
The demon seemed to consider while regarding Matt's rage with amusement, "It seems you will not be convinced of your plight until I prove to you exactly how hopeless you are. Very well then. See if you can fight me off." The grin was back as the door of the cell opened up.
Like a splash of cold water, Matt realized exactly what he was getting into. He ignored the sudden flip-flop of his stomach and started calmly to the door. He knew it was a hopeless battle. But he still wanted to give it his all. Though, even he knew the medallion would not save him this time around. It was down to raw skill.
The fire of determination and anger still burned in Matt's eyes but he took his time to sheathe his sword and get Crystal out of the way. He set her back in the cell where she would be safe then glowered at the demon and quickly brandished the blade to face against the demon.
Demon Zolaris chuckled in his throat from the scene of chivalry then brought the Dark Moon Blade to bear, the two glowing eyes glaring at Matt, the still black set of eyes seemed to hungrily stare at him. Matt held his own glare at the demon and didn't wait for the first attack. He Jumped at the demon and saw the shadowy blade twitch towards him but too slowly!
He brought his own sword to the still solid hilt of the blade and nocked away the length of it. Quickly bringing the double-edged blade around, Matt slashed again at Demon Zolaris' stomach and chest. The demon jumped back a bit then hissed, "I knew you would need a beating before you would give in." He licked his lips, "But that makes it all the better. The key of wisdom went down quite painfully that way. And I still have a score to settle with you."
"Shut up." Matt said simply. He was beyond anger yet his thoughts were clear. Demon Zolaris scowled, losing the smirk and let the Dark Moon Blade become solid steel once more as he charged Matt. Matt met the falling blade with the side of his, going to one knee under it. Holding the blade off with the support, Matt threw it away from himself and brought his own blade to thrust forward at the Demon's side.
A bit of blood flew as the blade hit home and sliced through the demon's side. Matt jumped back and watched as Demon Zolaris quickly healed the cut. The demon glared for a moment then tried again with a horizontal slash at Matt, both hands gripping the dragon-headed hilt.
Again Matt met the blade but he used the dagger he had drawn while in the crouch and stabbed the Demon's chest. He continued trying to go for kill shots. The force of his attacks couldn't be stopped; therefor he could not easily be attacked. Demon Zolaris snapped a few curses and grabbed at Matt's wrist before the eight inch dagger could bite his flesh as well. He was then thrown off of the boy and stumbled back a bit. When he looked again, he saw the dagger flying at him.
"Enough of these games!" he snapped and slashed the dagger out of the air, the blade fell to the side in two pieces. Matt didn't stop at the snapping or the failure of the dagger and brought the blade in both hands. Tensing his muscles at first, he sprung at the demon, putting the force of his full body into a swing that caught the demon's blade. To his surprise, Demon Zolaris caught the would-be shove and began pushing back against the boy.
Matt clenched his teeth and glared hatefully at the demon as they both held their ground. Even greater to his surprise, the blades began leaning back to him. He saw the back edge of his own blade trembling and drifting back toward his own skin. Matt finally jumped back, half pushed by the demon and held a defensive stance.
Demon Zolaris grinned a bit at a thought and began pouring his own power into the blade. Small sparks of deep violet and black magic dripped from the blade before growing on it. The dark aura surrounded the demon as well.
"Ki'ya!" Matt snapped a foreign curse but he knew that power he could not escape. It was better to meet the flames and be burned a little than try to run away and be burned a lot. Matt held his sword in both hands again and began spinning the blade quickly. The blade seemed to blur in the speed it spun then the dark wave of power was sent at him.
The black magic crackled sharply as some of it was driven away by the spinning blade. Nonetheless, much of the magic got through and burned then froze Matt's flesh. He gasped from the pain at first then the yell of pain tore from his throat. His sword finally broke from the pressure of the magic and he was sent back, his back hitting the stone wall hard before he crumpled to the ground. The staff still on his back fell off his shoulder and clattered beside him.
Demon Zolaris grinned widely at the victory then slightly winced. The attacks from the boy had caused more damage than he thought. Nonetheless, it was over. He let the Dark Moon Blade slide into its shadow state and started toward Matt with purposefully slow steps.
Right when he was close enough, he raised the blade then grinned, "And now ends your life as a human being . . ." Just before he fell backward and hit the ground hard followed by a blunt but hard stab to the chest by the butt of a staff. Matt was back on his feet, panting slightly with one eye closed in pain but still burning with the will to fight back.
He didn't wait for the demon to recover himself before bringing the other end of the staff spinning around and aiming for head of the fallen opponent. Had it been another case, he would not have lowered himself to such levels as to strike a fallen opponent. But this demon, he would not let get off so easily. A hand flashed to catch the staff before it could strike then wrestled to gain it from Matt's grip.
He twisted the staff but Matt shifted his grip to turn it again and break the demon's hold. Before he could attack again, a blade bit deeply into his leg. Biting back a shout of pain, Matt looked down at the solid blade bleeding as well as his leg. He jumped back and landed on his good leg, trying to ignore both the blood and flaming pain.
Demon Zolaris growled as he got up once more, "Just die already!" He tried a vertical slash at Matt's head but the boy defended with the staff. A loud crack sounded as the staff broke but the blow of the sword was also taken and stopped. Demon Zolaris grinned, "Well, so much for that idea."
Matt grinned in return and spun both sticks in his hands, "I think not."
Taking both sticks, he began a series of attacks on the demon, attacking at several different angles stabbing, striking, and pummeling the demon's sides, arms, shoulders, stomach, chest, and head while the demon could only try to recover from the blows.
Demon Zolaris finally jumped back, spitting out a steady stream of venomous curses as well as blood and a tooth. He growled deeply and glared at Matt before bringing the blade to his side, aiming at the boy. Crouching lowly, he made the final stab. Matt swiped at the blade with both halves of the staff but the solid wood passed through the shadowy blade.
The attack went through and a sudden pain gripped the boy's entire body and soul. He felt the pain twist in him then felt his body stop separate from his control. Finally, darkness consumed him and the pain was quieted as he was pulled into it.
Demon Zolaris panted fore breath as sweat rolled down his forehead mixed with blood from the rapid-fire attack of the sliced staff. That . . . that he had not anticipated. The key of courage was one he was glad to have out of the way. He looked at the blade pleased and saw the final set of eyes begin to glow green. The three eyes were a pretty set indeed. But the time was nearly upon them when the Temple would arise and his true opponent would come. Then . . . when he had gained the Light Moon Blade once again, his time would arise and he would be invincible!
Demon Zolaris enjoyed a laugh of victory and felt the shadows envelop him and carry him to his destiny.
Hiding up in a tree under an Elven Cloak to blend in Well, wasn't that just a kick in the rear! Demon Zolaris has each of the keys! Kohachan, Crystal, and Matt are each trapped by the blade only to be used later and unlock the door for DZ. The door to let him become the Moon God Knight!
What will happen now? Will Demon Toloran manage to hold off Demon Zolaris until the sun rises or will he too fall to the power of the Dark Warrior? Will light succumb to the shadows?! We will have to wait and see next time!
Shadow Knight: Ah-HA! (Starts cutting down the tree) DEATH TO THE EVIL ONE I SAY!!!
You haven't given up yeeet?!?! (Falls out of the tree but jumps up to run some more, leaving a dust cloud behind)
Merrick, Nisiko, Rei: (Ties Matt up from head to toe now) You have done enough! Let's go!
(The air ripples slightly then forms an image of Shadow Knight's house. Each pick up the author and pull him through the rift as it closes behind them)
Until next time!