AN: Alright, new chapter. I'm gonna keep this note short, but here's a slight head's up. Depending on how long this chapter is going to be, this may be the last chapter in the story. I am writing a sequel... Which I may title Demon's Wake. Maybe not, but I'm still brainstorming ideas for the story. And... uhhh... Part of the fight against Zakum doesn't really happen in the game, I know... But how long can you draw out three people using attack after attack after attack against it? So... Hope you enjoy the fight...

Attic-Window: Well, Chase isn't gonna be in this chapter (and this one might be the last, but if not, the next one will be the last chap.), but you will find out more about him in the sequel, and a bit about his sister too.


Zakum was a rocky monolith with rugged edges that gave it an almost formless appearance. A jagged mouth was barely perceptable at the middle of the main body. Six arm-like appendages extended from the body. Deep-set eyes glared out heavy brows made of boulders. Ryker looked skeptically at it. "What the hell? We're fighting a... statue?"

Rene shot an icy glare over her shoulder. "It is not a statue! It is the final guardian of the holy force. I must tell you, only one person has gotten past this stage."

"Who was that?"

"No one. Adobis, please summon Zakum."

"But I thought--"

"Ryker! Shut up!"

"Yes, Aradia..."

Rene smiled inwardly. "I wish you all good luck..."

Ryker turned to reply, but was struck dumb. A thin needle of something... Something vast and unimaginably intelligent. "Argh!" Ryker fell down onto his knees as Adobis cast a blood-red stone into a fire burning at the foot of the massive statue. The fire flashed a deep blue and Ryker lost consciousness, the image of Aradia and Alex falling to their knees with expressions of extreme pain engraved upon their faces burned upon his eyelids. I must look like that... He thought before fading from reality.

XxX

In the midst of darkness, light shines; a tiny ray of shimmering hope that, though small, brings inconcievable strength to those normally weak. Ryker bathed in the light of ever-present hope. The shadows surrounded him, waiting for the chance to strike. With a jolt, he drew a connection between his surroundings and his past. Always, he had been hated by those who had yearned for his lofty position beside Dark Lord. Always, Dark Lord considered him better, letting him live in the light that cast shadows for others. He had been hated... Always...

XxX

Screams tore through the tattered remnants of Aradia's mind as she struggled to throw off the memories that plagued her night-time wanderings in the realm of dreams. She saw a yougn girl float in the air, tears flowing freely down the blank face. The tears fell from her face, only to be evaporated instantly by a strange power lingering around the young girl's petite frame. A woman, older than most but by no means ancient, crawled towards the girl. "Dear... You must control it..."

"NO! DON'T COME CLOSER!" The girl shrieked, terror writhing in her wavering voice.

"My dear... Do not let your power control you..."

"GET AWAY! GET AWAY!"

The woman drew closer, earning another shriek from the girl. Energy began to draw from the girl's body as she spasmed in pain. The energy began to center around the woman. "Child! Keep your control!"

"NO! I... CAN'T!"

Then energy began to distentegrate the woman. As she faded from life, she spoke a single word, "Aradia..."

XxX

Alex sat solemnly in the center of a small ring of light. "You cannot tempt me from this light."

A small child crouched in the shadows beyond. "But... Alexei... Please... Help me..."

"No. I believe you should help yourself. It builds self-confidence."

A woman took the child's place. "Alex... I always loved you more... Come to your mother..."

"Ha! You weren't even around to see my third birthday! You deserted us, Mother!"

The woman scowled heavily. "I tried to take you with me... But... Your father--"

"Stopped you from killing me as well when you took the path of a deranged psychopath."

The woman changed to a tall boy. "Hello, brother."

"Ah. Now we get to the true show..."

"Are you that cowardly that you won't leave your little light?"

"No."

"Is Awexei afwaid of the dawk?" The boy asked in a babyish voice.

"Not quite."

"Then why won't you face me? Come, Alexei. Show me how strong you are..."

XxX

The scorn poured into his body through every pore in his body. Spasming in pain, Ryker sparratically swiped the air with his Varkit. "Dammit... Show yourself..."

"We're here, Ryker... We've always been here Ryker. Just in the shadows... Watching... Waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

"For the almighty Ryker to fall... To fail..."

"Why?"

"We of Kerning hated you. Always, you were lorded above us. Your superior skills... Your seeming perfection. We resented you..."

"But... they... they all..."

"They all pretended to like you, in order to put themselves in a higher position to Dark Lord."

"But..."

"Accept it... You were hated."

XxX

"You were feared, Aradia. You could kill anything... And you did. You had no control over the powers that ruled your mind."

"I couldn't help it... I couldn't help it..."

"You killed all those who attempted to help you. Do you know how many times you nearly killed Grendel?"

"I couldn't help it... I couldn't help it...!"

"All those close to you were killed. Ellinia was a place of terror because of you. Your only friends were the dusty pages of the tomes you so desperately clung to..."

"I COULDN'T HELP IT!"

XxX

"C'mon, Alex... Take me on... No holds battle... Just you and me... No Tatum... No Dad... No one to interfere..."

Alex took a long look at the doppleganger. Shouldering his weapon, Alex took a step into darkness.


AN: Eh... Cliffie. I guess. I decided to put another chapter. If I don't finish the story by next chapter (which I most likely will), there will be just one more chapter. Uhh... Okay. Another head's up. There will be just about NO fighting against Zakum. I'm putting a different spin on Zakky... Anyway, feel free to review... If you don't I'll tie you to a chair and eat cookies in front of you! Muahahahaha!