The Demon Lord, Haruko-Chapter Thirty One

Virginia and Gallows entered a small chamber, a bright glow emanating from the center of the room.

"What is that?" Gallows asked as Virginia walked up to it, placing her hand on it. "It's a crystal," she replied, "a very big crystal."

"I must apologize if I didn't say hello. Welcome to the ultimate weapon of the demons."

"Ultimate weapon?" Clive asked. Haruko nodded. "Yes, this tower may seem like a twisting, turning castle, but it is truly a cannon."

"Cut the crap and get to the point," Jet remarked. Haruko nodded. "All right then, this is called the Osiris Cannon. This hole here activates it, but you see, there is only one energy which can activate it, and that is the planet's essence."

"The planet's essence?!" Clive exclaimed, astonished. "What's up?" Jet asked. His comrade thought for a moment before replying.

"The planet's essence is an extremely powerful source of energy which was used in the most ancient of times. Some people believe that that is the main source of Filgaia's deterioration."

Haruko nodded. "Yes, Filgaia was a beautiful place once, but you see, energy was scarce. The humans decided to use a small amount of the planet for energy sources, but you see, they began to suck the planet dry."

"How do you know this?" Clive asked. Haruko glanced to the floor. "Because, I was once human as well."

Clive stepped back. "A demon once human? I've never read or heard such information."

The demon began to laugh. "And that is why it is so amusing. Allow me to explain, you see, I held a unique ability, one that allowed me to absorb energy, any type of energy. However, it seemed useless, what would I use it for? But then, I got into a fight. Accidentally, I absorbed most of his life energy, which allowed me to live longer! It wasn't useless, and I began to see all of the possibilities. I tried me hardest to control it."

Jet snorted. "Okay, what does it have to do with your demonization?"

"But soon, the humans' meddling brought upon the war against the demons, and then, a demon died right before me, and without knowing, I absorbed his soul, I became part demon. So, I gathered unimaginable abilities, absorbing as many demonic souls as I could. However, once the war was over, many of the demons had been destroyed. And since I was the strongest demon at the time, all of their souls flew to me."

Clive squinted. "So, you gathered all of that energy?" Haruko nodded. "Oh yes, but you see, it was too much demonic energy for my body to handle, so my physical body died, but my soul revived myself, creating a new body from the planet and all the energies I had gathered."

"So that new body was that true state you transformed into?" Jet asked as Clive glanced at him.

Haruko glanced at his hand. "Yes, the humans knew my power was much to great for me to be destroyed. The only possible way to rid Filgaia of me was to lock my power inside of myself and imprison me in that horrid mask. But you see, I will eradicate Filgaia and all those pitiful humans. I was forsaken! An outcast! But no more! You humans brought this on yourself for squandering the planet of its energy!"

"But have you know compassion?! The humans that live today are not responsible for the actions the humans of the past committed!"

Haruko chuckled. "Compassion? You want me to show compassion for humans who know nothing but anger and hatred? Surely you're joking. Maybe had you asked me that question a few centuries ago I might've obliged, but you humans had your chance, and you failed."

Jet raised his ARMs. "Okay, but did you really think we were going to let you just blow everything up?"

Haruko smirked. "On the contrary Mr. Enduro, I just hope you don't think this will be easy," he stated as he held out his hand, a large sphere of dark energy forming in it. "Now, allow me to show you a taste of the greatest power!"

Haruko fired the beam of energy, aiming straight for Jet, who quickly used an Arcana spell to protect himself.

The blast hit the circular shield head- on, most of it deflecting off and heading back to the straight path. Clive and Todd watched in awe as the blast sailed through the tower, continuing on until it hit Filgaia down below.

Jet noticed the shield cracking as the blast continued with great pressure. A moment, later, the shield shattered, allowing the blast to collide with Jet, engulfing him in the dark energy.

"Do you see now Mr. Enduro? The power of the planet limitless."

Jet slowly stood up. "Damn that was strong," he muttered as Haruko prepared to attack again.

Todd suddenly ran before Jet. "He won't survive another blast, stop this!"

Haruko began to laugh. "Stop? You want me to stop?! Unfortunately, that's not an option!"

He fired the next blast, but it suddenly stopped and bounce back at Haruko, knocking him against the wall.

Todd glanced back at Jet to see him holding out his hand. "What did you do?"

Jet looked down at his hand and then back at Haruko. "I don't know, it was instant."

Haruko grinned. "I see, the only power which can cancel out the planet's energy is the planet's energy itself."

Clive thought for a moment. "Of course! Jet, you a have a small part of the planet within you."

Jet glanced at Clive. "You're right, but why did it just happen right now?"

Haruko began to laugh. "How interesting. The only way I know how to activate the Forbidden energy would be to have a large amount of demonic energy within you."

The gems suddenly began to glow and rise from the walls. They then flew to Jet's ARMs, gathering around it and merging with.

A sudden flash of light occurred before it dissipated, revealing the crystallized weapon from the ruin leading into the ancient city.

Haruko chuckled slightly before waving his right hand, causing the gems to seal Todd and Clive against the wall.

"I'm so very sorry, but I think this is between me and Mr. Enduro, don't you think?"

(If you don't remember, Morgan had gave Jet some of the liquefied gem they used to defeat Saiin. Saiin held the ability to recover, which is why Jet mysteriously healed at those certain moments. So, Morgan not only saved Jet, but gave our Drifter heroes a fighting chance.)