Sparda's Revenge: Story 2

The grand city of Artines was now in the brink of total destruction. It's grand structured buildings and architectural designs laid in destruction with only few standing. It's citizens laid dead while the few remaining survivors struggled to stay alive. Sparda traveled down the town district as he walked over the remands of the Azarathians. He listened closely to Argotons laughs in the distance. As he continued down the path to pathway towards the Sea where Argoton stood, he heard a very familiar voice call for him.

Oracle of Artines: "Sparda?…"

Sparda saw the oracle lying on the ground with a pool of her own blood. He came over to her side and leaned onto his knee.

Oracle of Artines: "Sparda... Returned, but too late... Argoton has taken Artines... there is no more hope... no hope..."

Sparda just looked at the dieing oracle as she took her last breath of air

Oracle of Artines: "Argoton is... victorious... we... failed..."

The oracles arm fell to the floor as she closed her eyes and remained motionless. Sparda got up the floor and to his last look at the dead oracle before heading forwards. Just as the Oracle said, Argoton had taken over Artines totally along with Pandora's Box. As Sparda continued to walk through the crumbled city, he finally saw the God Argoton standing in the sea looking at the sky. In his hands held by a chain was Pandora's Box, the only weakness to the great God. Sparda clutched his fists he attempted to step close to the ledge of the mountain.

Raziel: "Well Sparda, you did survive after all."

The missionary and warrior Raziel was leaning against one of the broken pillars.

Raziel: "Argoton destroyed nearly everything and now I fear he might take it upon the rest of the Gods and even all of Azarath."

Sparda just kept looking at the God with raw anger and hate.

Raziel: "It's humorous, I should escape this disastrous place but I want to stay and watch it all. I might even end up as those thousands of dead Azarathians but I have to see a mortal Demon kill a God."

Sparda: "I am not mortal."

Sparda then continued on towards the God, leaving Raziel shaking his head with a smile.

Raziel: "Good luck…Demon."

As Sparda walked over to the ledge of the peak, he watched the God of War yell into the sky over his victory. For all that Sparda had done; he traversed the Desert of Lost Souls, bested the deadly traps of Pandora's Temple, and escaped the underworld itself. There was but one task left.

Argoton: "Elder God! Do you see now what your son can do! You cast your favor on Sareena, but her city lies in ruins before me! And now, even Pandora's Box is mine! Would you have me use it against the heavens itself!"

The God of War slowly turned around and noticed the familiar face of Sparda"

Argoton: "Sparda? Returned even from the underworld."

He quickly turned back around and stared at the sky again

Argoton: "Is this the best you can do father? You send a broken mortal to defeat me? The God of War?"

As Ares continued to mock his father, Sparda saw the box held at Argotons hands by a chain. He took his hands and charged a thunderbolt and let it erupt from his hands. The lightning hit the chain and caused the box to fall into the sea below. With out hesitation, Sparda leaped from the edge and dove into the cold water after Pandora's Box. He swam after it intensely as it hit the rocky sea floor. Sparda floated over it, still mesmerized by its presents. He shook his head to break the trance he was in and grabbed the handles on the box. He used all his strength to push open the box while trying to stand on the sea floor. Finally, Pandora's Box burst open as a surging light broke from it. Thousands of Demons like spirits flew out from it and into Sparda. Sparda groaned as he felt the spirits enter his body and a surge of power erupting from with in him. His Demon body began to form more estipulate as his heavy wings transformed into golden feather wings and his beetle like skin transformed into more slick and polished. His curved horns began to expand and turn massively around his head. As the final soul enter him, Sparda felt his body become larger as his back slowly arose the surface. Sparda breathed hard as he looked at himself in the waters reflection. He now was a true Dark Night Demon and the one to cause Argoton to fall. Sparda arose to his feet and saw that he was as big as the God of War and could see the entire city of Artimes in flames from where he stood. Argoton looked at Sparda as he lowered his head but his gaze still fixed on Sparda.

Argoton: "You are still just a mortal Demon, every bit as weak as the day you begged me to save your life.

Sparda drew out the Blades of Chaos and prepared himself

Sparda: "I am not the same man you found that day! The monster you've created has returned, to kill you."

Argoton: (Contradicting) "You have no idea what a true monster is, Sparda!"

Argotn lowered himself down with his back extended. As he groaned, it seemed as something was attempting to brake through his armor. Suddenly, several spiked wings erupted from Argton's spine and surrounded Sparda.

Argoton: "Your final lesson is at hand!"

The God of War charged forward at Sparda and knocked him off his feet. While on the ground, Argoton attempted to impale Sparda with one of his wings. Reacting quickly, Sparda blocked the incoming attack with his Blades. He instantly launched a thunderbolt from his hands at the Gods chest, causing him to back away.

Sparda: "Thank Raiden for that."

The God looked at Sparda with his eyes burning bright.

Argoton: "Perhaps I should kill you with your own sword."

Argoton extended his arm and Sparda's legendary sword appeared that Sparda had given him. Roaring, the God of War swung violently at the Sparda as he ducked and dodged all the Gods attacks. Sparda stopped the sword in midair with his blades as he faced Argoton backwards. With one steady kick, Sparda knocked the God onto a bridge that connected Artines.

Argoton: "How dare you!"

Argoton opened his mouth wide and a beam of flames emerged hitting Sparda's chest. Yet, Sparda stood at his spot as the flames did nothing put extinguish after hitting his chest. As Argoton looked at Sparda in rage, Sparda threw the blades at he God. The blades hit the Gods armor but only cracked a small amount.

Argoton: "What's the matter little Sparda?"

The God of War pulled his blade towards Sparda and jeered him. Angered, Sparda charge head on as the God did as well. As they came into their distance they clashed their weapons with each other. Both did not allow the other to keep an advantage of speed as they dodged the blows that the other threw. Argoton swung his sword by Sparda's head as the Demon ducked under it. While ducking, he threw his blades once more at Argoton but the God simply dodged it and made the chains of the sword wrap across his sword. Sparda now stood helpless and unarmed as Argoton was pulling the chains around his arms. The God let out a blow from his fist onto Sparda's face followed by another. Sparda just stood his ground as the God hit him with his large metal fists. Just as another punch was heading for Sparda, he managed to jump and place his legs onto the Gods chest. As Sparda pushed himself from the chest, he could feel the Gods hold on his sword weaken. Just as Argoton was about to release his weapon, his speared wing impaled Sparda and launched him into the air. Sparda landed harshly into the cold water as the God mocked him.

Argoton: (Laughing) "Is that the best you can do!"

Sparda pushed himself up off the icy water and face God. As they stared at each other's eyes, Sparda launched one of his blades at Argoton. The God of War simply twisted his body to avoid the blade but he failed to notice that Sparda was running after the end of the blade. With a powerful tackle, Argoton was repealed of his feet and unto the mountainside. Sparda stood over the God as the need to destroy him overwhelmed him. Argoton pushed himself off the mountain and grabbed a hold of Sparda's hands. They held their hands together as they fought for superior strength. Sparda felt his arms begin to fold underneath as the God smiled wickedly. Sparda groaned as he felt his arms nearly dislocate below the Gods hold. With anger filling him, Sparda felt his strength explode as he began to push the Gods hands back. The God looked shocked as he saw that Sparda had the advantage now. He immediately tried to strike Sparda but stopped as he felt his arms twist around Sparda's grip. He yelled in pain and anger as he tried to push Sparda back. Still the Demon Sparda held onto the Gods hands before he leaped onto his back. Grapping a hold of the speared wings, he impaled it through Argotons own armor. The God gasped as he felt his blood drip onto the roaring water at his feet. He ran backwards and crushed Sparda against the mountain's ledge. Sparda fell to his knees as the God of War removed his wings out of himself. The rage filled Argoton's body as he stomped his feet against the water. As he did this, his wounded hands began to form a small crystal clear orb that floated in midair. The orb grew larger until it was compared to that of Sparda's entire body. Now the orb seemed to draw itself inwards as small pull tugged at Sparda. Immediately, the orb exploded into a portal the seemed to pull everything around it. Sparda felt himself being absorbed as he tried to hold himself out by impaling the Blades of Chaos into the ground. Still, the force of the portal was too strong and Sparda found himself engulfed by a powerful clear light. As the light cleared, Sparda found himself falling down a purple sky with Argoton's voice mocking him.

Argoton: "I have taught you many ways to kill a mortal, Sparda. Flesh that burns, bones that break, but to brake a man's spirit, is to truly destroy him!"

Suddenly Sparda hit the ground with his knee and hand as he left a crater around him. He looked up and was shocked to see the Temple from his village that he destroyed.

Argoton: "Do you recognize this place, Sparda? The location of your greatest failure. Perhaps there is a chance you can undo the deeds of the past."

Sparda stood up and burst through the temple doors to find a large groups of people grouped together in fear. These were the few innocent lives Sparda took away when he unknowingly attacked his village. Amount those inside was Nevan who was looking at Sparda with great fear. As Sparda looked harder he was completely shocked to find his wife Arella and his two sons Shaggilon and Virgil.

Arella: "Sparda, what's happening! Where are we!"

Virgil: "Father!"

Sparda: "By the Gods! This can't be real."

As Sparda stepped closer he heard an old creaking laugh from behind him. As he turned he saw the Oracle of Nosgoth that had turned the curse of nightmares onto Sparda's mind.

Oracle of Nosgoth: (Laughing) "Enjoying your torture?"

Sparda: "You wretched bat!"

Oracle of Nosgoth: "My, my Demon, such a temper we have. Perhaps we should see what you truly fear."

The Oracles blind eyes began to glow violet as puddles of black substance held against the walls. Sparda looked as the bodies of his own reflection stepped out from the walls and held the same blades as Sparda. The clones of Sparda number around him and around the group of people. Angered, Sparda looked back at the Oracle as he found that she had turned into a Demon.

Sparda: "You are not that oracle."

He threw his blades at the Demon and beheaded it as its body fell to the floor. After returning his blades back to his hands, he heard screams coming from behind him. The clones of Sparda circled around the Azarathians and began to hew those you stepped out too far.

Sparda: "No!"

He leaped at one of his clones and threw it onto the ground in such force that its entire body broke apart. Now the other clones averted their attention to Sparda and began to come closer to him. Sparda sliced through the clones with such ease that he had killed a dozen of them unknowing to him. Still, more began to emerge from the walls and leap at Sparda with their own blades. He impaled his blade into one of the clones heads as he looked back once more to find a clone impaling it's own blade into one Azarathian from the group. Sparda grabbed a hold of one of the clones and launched him at the one who was attacking the group. Instantly, the clones crashed through the temple. The temple began to form large crakes around its sides as pieces of it flew away. Suddenly, the entire temple broke apart and it's debris scattered into the air. Sparda paid no attention to the temple, only to the up coming clones. He transformed his blades into Artemis' Sword and cut down the clones one by one. Limbs and gore from the clones scattered the ground as the surviving group watched in awe.

Nevan: "Sparda! Look out!"

From behind Sparda came an arrow that a clone had shot out. Sparda simply leaned his back to the side as the arrow stuck through another clone.

Sparda: "Argoton! There is nothing you can put in my way to stop me!"

The rage within Sparda exploded as he violently dismembered the clones of himself. The pain and hatred exploded from Sparda as the massive numbers of clones met there ends in a brutal way. As Sparda beheaded the last clone, he looked back the Nevan, his family and the Azarathians. His entire body was covered in blood from the clones as he dropped his blades onto the ground. Sparda stepped in front of his wife and two children and looked at them through cold eyes.

Arella: "Sparda! You save!"

Virgil: (Hugging Sparda) "Father, you did it!"

He pushed the small boy away from him forcefully. Sparda stood look at his shocked wife and sons.

Sparda: "You are not my family. These are my nightmare and none of them are from you."

Shaggilon: "But father."

Sparda pulled his blade up and impaled it through his son. The crowd of Azarathians along with Nevan gasped at the sight. As Sparda let his son's body fall, it disappeared in a wave of dust. Sparda now looked at Arella and Virgil as their bodies began to twist into the form of Demons. The two Demons hissed at Sparda as they leaped at him. Sparda simple grabbed the two Demons and crushed their heads against each other. As he let the Demon's bodies fall, he yelled into the sky.

Sparda: "Argoton! You dare use the image of my family to your advantage!"

The purple sky began to become darker as Sparda stared up into it. His attention was taken away from the voice of Nevan who pushed herself in front of the crowd.

Nevan: "Sparda…"

Nevan hesitated for a moment before she ran into Sparda's arms crying. He wrapped his arms around Nevan as he looked back at the slightly relived Azarathians.

Sparda: "Do you see God of War? You took them once, but you'll never have them again! You tried to take everything from me and deceive me in believing that was my own family!"

Argoton: "You cannot save them Sparda, you gave them up in your quest for ultimate power. There is a price to pay for everything you gain."

Sparda looked down at Nevan's tear filled eyes.

Sparda: "Not that price, I didn't what them to die."

The ground began to tremble and shake around them.

Argoton: "No price is too high for what I offered you!"

Sparda felt his grip release Nevan as his arms began to be pulled apart. The Blades of Chaos pulled the chains around Sparda's arms as they began to rip and tear the flesh that the chains held.

Argoton: "Now, you will have no magic, no power!"

Sparda screamed in agony as the chains began to loosen themselves around Sparda's flesh. Nevan and the others watched in horror as the chains tore off from Sparda's arms. Sparda fell to his knees as he saw the flesh around his arms was torn away. The Blades of Chaos began to fly violently across the air but their own control.

Argoton: "All that you have, is dead!"

The blades dove from the sky and began to strike down the innocent lives of the Azarathians that surrounded Sparda. Their blood stained the blade once more as they fell like flies. Sparda looked helplessly as he watched innocent men, woman, and children that he killed die once more. As the blades sliced through the last Azarathian, they face the Harpy Queen, Nevan.

Sparda: "No…"

Nevan began to panic as she spread open her white wings and fly upwards. The blades followed her and ribbed through her wings. She fell from the sky and crashed into the ground below. Once more she got to her feet and began to limb toward Sparda who was now one his feet. As the blades came down, he leaped towards them and grabbed the chains around them. He tried all his might to hold onto the chains as they slowly dragged him across the floor. Finally, the chains slipped out of Sparda's hands and impaled Nevan through her chest and stomach. The blades still drove until the completely passed her through. Sparda ran over to her side and caught her as she fell.

Sparda: "Nevan, no…"

The Harpy Queen looked up at Sparda and smiled. She gasped for air as her mouth filled with blood.

Nevan: "Sparda…I…I…Lov…You…"

Nevan placed her hands on Sparda's cheek. Slowly, Nevan hand slid off Sparda's face and fell to her side. Her body stopped moving as she closed her eyes.

Sparda: "No…No…Not again…No!"

Instantly, Nevan disappeared from his arms as the bodies of the dead did as well. Sparda finally found himself coming through into the cold icy waters as the sound of terrine emerge. He was back in Artines with the God of War standing over his kneeled body.

Argoton: "You should have joined me Sparda! You should have been stronger!"

Argoton lifted his sword over Sparda as he kneeled in the water hopelessly. Sparda had lost all hope. He didn't care what the outcome would be. He didn't car for his revenge or his life. He wanted it all to end. As Sparda put his head to the ground he heard the voice of Sareena.

Sareena: "Don't give up Sparda! Look to your left Sparda. Use the last power of the Gods!"

Sparda turned his head around to see the large statue that always looked down at the city of Artines. Sparda couldn't understand until he saw the blade that the statue held. It was large and made out of complete gold.

Sparda: "By the Gods…"

Still Sparda didn't move, he just kneeled in front on Sparda as Argoton taunted him.

Argoton: "That is right Sparda. Bow down to your God!"

As Sparda closed his eyes, other voices emerge to his head.

Raiden: "The Legendary Knight Sparda, giving up already? Come now brother, I thought you had it more in you."

Elder God: "Fight back my Son."

Nevan: "Please Sparda. Show me if you are a villain or a saint…"

As Argoton swung is sword, Sparda's eyes opened intensely and rolled underneath the Gods attack. He got to his feet and ran towards the statue of Sareena. Once he took hold of the sword, he ripped it out of statues hands as it crumbled to his feet. Sparda held the sword up in the sky with might as the golden sword shimmered in the night.

Sparda: "Argoton, I still have allies. Now you will see how strong I am."

Both of them looked at each other's eyes with pure hatred for the other. Both knew that this would be the final battle with only one standing. Argoton smiled as he lifted his hand up towards Sparda. A bolt of fire erupted and nearly hit Sparda. As Sparda dodged the attack, he witnessed the God running toward him with his sword lifted. Sparda got to his feet and did the same as they clashed their weapons together. They clashed their weapons together as sparks fled from it. As they pushed down on their swords, they looked into each other eyes once more.

Argoton: "Sparda, no matter what you do, you are doomed to me."

Sparda: "I doubt it."

Sparda pushed off the clash and began to swing his golden sword. Both swung their weapons at the others as they fought with skillful handlings. Argoton placed his sword on Sparda's shoulder and attempted to behead Sparda. Sparda simply ducked his head down as he felt the blade smooth blade run across his back. He took his fist and dealt a blow to Argoton's flaming beard. The God stumbled backwards but was able to block Sparda's up coming attack. The God then charged forward at Sparda swinging his sword in all directions. Sparda ran backwards as he moved and spun his body left and right to avoid the attacks. While still running backwards, Sparda ducked down and spun to his left as Argoton swung his sword over Sparda's head and pulled it downwards to cut him through. Sparda kicked the God into his knee and then leaped into the air and hewed away one of the God's wings. In pain, the Argoton let out a powerful blast of fire from his mouth and knocked Sparda onto the ground. The God then jumped into the air and aimed his sword towards Sparda. Just as the God was about to fall on top of him, Sparda rolled from underneath and lend another kick to the back of Argoton's leg. The kick caused his knees to give in as he the God fell onto them. As Sparda attempted to hew away Argoton's head, the God swung his blade and cut Sparda's chest. Sparda stepped back as he saw the blood drip from his chest. Argoton got to his feet using his sword as a supporter. The God of War looked up into the sky and smiled wickedly. Opening his remaining wings, Argoton took into the sky. Sparda watched as the God flew up into the red sky and looked down at Sparda.

Argoton: "This ends now Sparda!"

Argoton's eyes began to glow burning red as he lifted his arms into the sky. For a few moments all that Sparda could feel was nothing but then he looked down at his feet. Underneath the water, the ground began to tremble and glow red. The water at Sparda's feet began to bubble and boil as an explosion of magma erupted. Sparda just watched as the lava erupted onto his body and blasted him into the air. As Sparda fell to the ground, the wave of magma engulfed him completely. The wave burned through the water as it began to harden and hit the end of the mountainside. For some time, the god looked down at the pool of magma and tried to look for Sparda's burnt corpse. Suddenly a mount of lava began to form and lift up as Sparda got to his feet from underneath. The God of War looked shocked as he saw Sparda standing on his feet with his body covered in lava and skin burning red. Enraged, Argoton once again lifted his hands into the air and called forth a shower of meteors. The burning boulders fell from the sky as they hit the lava bellow and Sparda as well. As Argoton herald the meteors from the sky, he failed to notice that Sparda had flown into the air next to him. As Argoton finished launching his last, he breathed hard while looking at the craters formed bellow. Yet, Sparda just flew behind Sparda before he used his golden blade to cut the God's left arm. The God roared in both pain and surprise as Sparda tackled him in midair. The two flew over the lava filled cesspool and fell into the sea right next to Artines' shoreline and docks. The God stumbled to his feet but was knocked to the ground by Sparda's kick. Sparda then began to violently let out punches across Argoton's body. Blow after blow, Sparda hit the God with his anger erupting. All the hate and pain leaked out from him and into his fists as he crippled the God with his blows. Sparda lend the punches into the God that he failed to notice that his entire fists were bleeding. With one final blow to the Gods burning face, Argoton fall on his back. Sparda breathed hard as he watched the God push himself up with his one arm.

Argoton: "Remember Sparda, it was I who saved you, in your time of greatest need."

Sparda: "I haven't forgotten Argoton, I remember how you saved me!"

All the images of what happened that night flashed through Sparda's eyes. Everything that he went through now stood in his reach just below him. Sparda lifted the golden sword over his head.

Argoton: "That night, I was trying to make you a great warrior..."

Sparda let the blade fall into the Gods chest.

Sparda: "You succeeded...brother."

The God looked at the sword lugged into his chest in shock. Sparda grinded his teeth together as he pushed the sword deeper until it pieced through Argotons entire chest. The God began to cough blood as he gasped for air. Without mercy, Sparda withdrew his sword from the God of War as his blood splattered across Sparda's entire body. Argoton tried to hold himself up but found it impossible as the strength escaped him. The God took his final breaths of air before he finally let his body fall. His eyes rolled back as he body began to glow bright. With a massive explosion, the body of Argoton disappeared as large tides formed and hit the mountain's ledges and the shores. As everything cleared, Sparda bended down and picked up his former Demon sword and impaled the golden sword at the spot where Argoton's body died. Sparda looked at his large red Sword with the dragon's eye in the center and smiled. It was over; he had killed the God of War. He had saved what remained of the city of Artines and avenged those who died. Still most importantly, he had satisfied his cravings for revenge. Sparda looked down at his Demon reflection below and smiled. His large wings spread open as the blood of the God covered his Demon body. Sparda closed his eyes as for the first time in a long while he felt happy and relieved