AN: Thanks for the reviews! You didn't really think the Ater Vox would bow out of the story that easily, did you? I've had this idea planned for a long time, but as always the finer details weren't in play, such as who would fight who (which took me a while to settle upon) and where the fights would happen. But anyway, time to get right into the second half of Arc IX!
Chapter 91: Farewell
|Ater Peractorum - Fallen Farawell|2:25 am|
To be able to explore a facsimile of Farawell's past was breathtaking. In modern times, there were countless plaques everywhere describing events of days gone by, such as a famous doctor or playwright doing something extraordinary, and many museums dedicated to showcasing fashions of eras gone by.
Now Blaine and his companions were fighting for dear life in these ancient times. Above them was the true Farawell, he knew that. But all he could see was a gigantic swirl of red, black, and purple colours clashing and merging together. Reality itself was under duress, and it would not hold much longer. Yet the Shadows were everywhere, and the sheer number of them made navigating hard.
However, after lots of hard fighting, Blaine had managed to see the famous Cathedral – in its first form. A grisly event had occurred here around this time that would one day make this area a Divine Spark, and it had been so bad they had to completely rebuild the famous church. His father had taken him to see the sights a few times, to try and teach him about history.
"Daddy, how come we don't have a church like this near home? Maybe everyone would like Kanaloa if we had a pretty cathedral too!"
"Perhaps, Blaine. But even if we could build one, people would still come here. It's a part of their history. It's been here for hundreds of years, son, and it'll be here for hundreds more!"
"Blaine?" Matthew asked, looking at him. "You looked lost in thought there."
"Sorry, I..." Blaine said, scratching his hair. "I just got thinking about my dad. And how he and Archie were best pals. As long as Nihane and Janus keep Archie alive..."
"I getcha. You don't want dad to have to see this." Other Blaine said. "...Twenty years ago, and I can't get my dad out of my head. He was the guy I tried to be like, when I got older. Strong, confident, the leader type."
"Sounds a lot like you, buddy." Dan said, smirking. "I still wish I had met him. He sounds like he'd be a fun dude to have a drink with."
"Hey. The Cathedral's only a few roads away!" Matthew said, upon scrutinizing the area up ahead. "If we can get past all these Shadows, we're there!"
Both Blaines and Dan nodded, eagerly. The final meeting with Archibald was nigh. For his father, he had to win. This city was worth protecting, even if they had ignored Kanaloa's poverty for far too long.
I'm coming to get you, Archie. Hang tight, okay? Me and my brothers will be there soon.
|Ashen Amurdad – Gate to Anxiety|2:40 am|
"Wow..." Amara said, looking far into the horizon.
The entire area of Amurdad had been restored, showcasing the gorgeous, intricate mosaic designs on the white stone buildings. Lakes and ponds were on display, and the area was full of frees and plants. A fountain could be seen in a small park area, where there were benches and statues depicting mermaids and dragons.
"The people of this land were obsessed with any kind of legend." Ethan said. "They believed that every folklore was connected somehow. So they incorporated many different myths into their culture, to create a sort of universal faith city."
"It's beautiful!" Other Amara said, staring at her reflection in the pure water. "If only they hadn't destroyed this place."
"This imaginary land can't be left be." Sophie said, anxiously. "Remember...Nihane's trying to cause the Eternal Road with Janus. We can't stand around and admire the beauty."
"She's right." Ethan said. "Still, It's amazing to see. We should at least appreciate what the artisans made, so their work won't fade from history."
"Yeah..." Amara said. After scouting for Shadows, the team moved onward, through the many streets of Amurdad. Centuries later, these domiciles would be replaced by cheaply constructed apartment towers, grimy pubs, and loud motorcycles would roam the potholed roads. Amara couldn't blame Nihane for preferring this place...
|Fallen Farawell – Cathedral of Shadows|2:32 am|
This Cathedral, grand in style, was far different from what Blaine remembered seeing. Different, darker colours, and alternate stained glass windows. On one was the Archangel Gabriel, who was portrayed as a male here. And naturally, without any green skin or blue hair.
"Hey..." Dan said. "You okay with coming here again?"
"Huh?" Matthew said. "Why wouldn't he be?"
"Oh god, that's right. It's been a long time since then." Blaine said. "The first – or second – Divine Spark. That was when we found out what the other me was really up to. We were all about to team up then and there, till Nihane waltzed in and did his mind control on the Holy Cross."
"Yeah. Then the Divine Spark started to happen, and this place was about to be destroyed. But I couldn't just leave my men in there to die. So I ran in, thinking that if I could knock 'em out, they'd be okay." Other Blaine said. "But...that didn't happen. I went all the way to Inanis with everybody else, and somehow I got into Clairdol."
"And thus the lovely Lucy entered the scene." Matthew said, reminiscing. "...I wish it had been me who found you. I was convinced you two were dead, and then Lucy went missing. Then I saw Blaine and the others in that cheap pub-café. Now that took me by surprise. Not only was I looking at Blaine, he was enjoying their greasy food!"
"Hey, I was hungry!" Blaine said, pouting. "That Divine Spark was freaky as hell. And one by one, we kept seeing more. All because of what happened in the past."
"That's right. Janus is only doing this because of what our ancestors did." Dan said. "C'mon, let's get inside. Archibald's bound to be further in -"
Just then, the entire Cathedral was surrounded by a thunderstorm, where bright blue thunderbolts zapped the ground. Leaving would be impossible. Then, the interiors changed shape, little by little. Archways and pillars became smothered in blood, and the ground was covered in tiny crimson pools. Red fingerprints were everywhere, and the dark stone became pitch black with glowing purple emblems – rather demonic looking ones.
The pews turned to ash and blew away, and the saints and angels portrayed in the windows turned into demons. Matthew gasped, staring in horror, as a ghostly figure in a priest's outfit appeared. He was hunched over, staggering away from the altar, as many men screaming and pleading for mercy could be heard.
"Morag...stay...away!"
"Father Croft! I heard a lot of commotion outside! What on earth is -" A woman's voice said. There was a young fair-haired freckled girl in a black dress. She went to the priest, but when she saw the giant reddened knife stuck in his chest, she screamed. The priest fell to his knees, into a pool of his own blood. The echo of the knife hitting the ground rang out for what seemed like an eternity.
"Was that...the past?!" Dan said, sickened to his very core. He barely stopped himself from throwing up, stepping away from the fading murdered priest.
"That book Serena found...it said something about this..." Blaine said. "The priests were all found horribly murdered. Don't tell me...did Janus influence that?"
"You're a clever man, Blaine."
The group gasped, turning to the altar. Archibald was there, crouching in pain, as thick red fog engulfed him. There, Thor appeared in the same exact position. Its face could barely emote, but from the way it was writhing in pain, it was undergoing complete and utter torture. Suddenly, the two of them flashed red, and their bodies flew into each other with a mighty burst.
There, standing perfectly still, was a humanoid figure – but his legs were completely robotic. Sleek, silver and black constructs, covered in tiny glowing blue lights. On his hands were his old pair of gloves, except they emitted a light blue gas and glow. Floating next to them were giant robotic arms, based on the weapons Archie had demonstrated hours before. Floating slightly above his shoulders were similar silver pauldrons, complete with protruding blue laser blades.
The hair looked like Archie's as well, but tinted very light blue. His face, however, was covered by a thick metal mask, with blue laser eyes that were burning with energy. A headset made purely out of blue plasma energy was around his head, and on his chest was a silver and blue device that looked like a small computer screen, displaying thousands of lines of code. He did not wear a shirt, thus exposing the horrors of his skin – electricity itself was pulsing beneath it, and the arms and head were almost red. Also, his veins seemed to be wires.
"Holy shit!" Other Blaine screamed. "Archie...what have they done to you?!"
"That's Archie?!" Matthew said, stunned. "But...it looks like – fucking hell!"
"Janus really needs better costume ideas..." Dan said, mortified.
"Archie! Can you hear us?" Blaine said. "Please, don't do it! Try and break free!"
"I'm sorry, Blaine. I can't. I'm not in control anymore." Archibald said. "Janus forced me to accept this body, based around the projects I abandoned over the years. Thor's power is now fully mine, yet it ignores my intent."
"Oh man..." Dan said, grimly.
"Blaine. I sensed your arrival not long ago. I'm...glad to see you." Archibald said, his voice wavering. "I wanted to relive the best time of my life, but it simply wasn't meant to be. I gave my all for a dream I would never see come true. No wonder you hated me so..."
"Archie..." Other Blaine said. "I hated you so much. You were my dad's old friend, and you were prepared to kill billions of people just so you could go back to the old days with him. I really was prepared to fight you to the death." He stared right into the older man's 'eyes', trembling. "But you're still that same man I remember. The guy who helped me do better at school, because you made me do my homework. And you promised me you'd let me play some of your computer games, so I could zap some aliens before I had to go home..."
"Those were some of the happiest days of my life." Archibald said, honestly. "Now I understand. Trying to return to the past won't do. The future is full of infinite possibility. Unfortunately, I am now of the past. Your future has only just begun. I see great success ahead, in either world. I only wish I could be there with you."
"Archibald. At this stage, facing you in battle feels wrong." Matthew said. "But we can't avoid fighting, can we?"
"No. Janus now commands Nihane fully, and I cannot fight against my orders anymore..." Archibald said. "Ethan...he is both liberated and imprisoned, and I have been denied the chance to help him. And you."
Both Blaines stared at Archie, with great sadness. They reached for their guns, and took a step back.
"That's right." Archibald said. "You must fight me, without holding back. Janus will never allow me to have mercy on you. Even if you sympathise with me."
"Yeah, I know. You told me to never be afraid when it comes to making decisions." Other Blaine said. "You and Dad."
"That's right. It's thanks to both of you that I'm who I am today. The man Lucy fell in love with. The guy Dan trusts with his life. So if this is what I have to do to save you, I'll do it!" Blaine roared. "Matarukaja!" Quetzalcoatl charged the team up with energy, glaring at Archibald's cybernetic form with indignation.
"Power Charge!" Other Blaine took advantage of this strength boost by doubling it. The long this battle took, the harder it would be for him. Not only that, the Eternal Road had began at last. The future might slip away if he was unwilling to fight.
"Masukukaja!" Matthew cried, anxiously. Ehecatl boosted the team's agility, which would be essential. After all, dodging Archibald's attacks would be much harder, thanks to his sinful enhancements.
"Marakukaja!" Dan cheered, clenching his fists. Mictlan gave Dan and allies a defensive edge, which as with the other boosts would prove critical here. Archibald exuded sheer power just from being in the room. Of course, his human body had been destroyed, thus his entire being was energy itself.
"Megingjard." Archibald cried. Beneath the floating hands were hidden cannons, styled after the one Thor one used on his right arm. These cannons worked in synergy to create a familiar barrier, that covered Archibald entirely. Blaine knew the drill. And this time, he would simply absorb the lightning that was to be reflected.
"Don't worry, guys." Blaine said. "That barrier will be gone soon enough!"
"Ziodyne." Archibald wasn't quite done. He fired a bolt of lightning onto Matthew, who screamed. This was a hotter, more piercing bolt than he was used to. "I'm not the same as before. My electricity has been amplified, to levels unforeseen. I may even have surpassed Nihane in his original form..."
"Tough talk, Archie." Other Blaine said. "But I'm the king of thunder around these parts. And you ain't taking the crown."
"That's right! Janus can buff you up as much as it wants, but when it comes to the Black Lightning, you'll be left in the dust!" Blaine said. "C'mon! Ziodyne!" The undead Archibald was struck by Quetzalcoatl's indignant thunder. Megingjard weakened, no longer containing the Makarakarn portion, but the electricity that was redirected was not absorbed. Instead, Blaine found himself being shocked. "The hell?"
"Dammit. That Janus probably did something so that no one can resist Archibald's attacks!" Matthew complained. "Bastard..."
"Janus sure likes to cheat. Not me, though! I do things with my own strength. Brutality!" Other Blaine cheered. His Quetzalcoatl struck Archibald repeatedly, each attack shaking the blood-soaked area. However, Archibald flew away from the last hit, and fired two super-sonic blasts from his gloves – and two stronger ones from the extra hands. They bounced all over the defiled cathedral, hitting whoever was in the way.
"Garudyne!" Matthew cried. Alas, his wind was also dodged. "What the -" One of the robotic hands, known as 'Cyber Sinistra', had punched him into one of the columns, which was now covered in crimson regret. "ARGH!"
"Dammit!" Dan said. He ran, managing to avoid crumbling pieces of stone from the weakened column, to his brother. "You alright?!"
"Y-Yeah." Matthew said, in fright. He got up, and retrieved his knives. "HA!" He flung his daggers at the cybernetic warrior in his way, and slashed through him.
"Atta boy!" Dan said, grinning. Archibald was trying his best to avoid the knife attacks, but Matthew had a keen eye. Dan stepped back, and watched. Each Blaine was firing at Archie, who attempted to have Cyber Sinistra and Cyber Dextra to fire at them. Dan loaded his rifle, and fired one piercing shot.
"You're not a bad marksman, Dan." Other Blaine said, proudly.
"Just like those games we played at the Festival!" Blaine said.
"Hey, having a Persona kind of helps me hone my aim. Even when I'm not having to break down doors. Mictlan! Guillotine's Fall!"
Mictlan began to swing his dark scythe like the pendulum of a grandfather clock. Then, it got faster and faster, as it carved into the 'flesh' of Archibald – creating a pool of glowing blue 'blood', which looked more like acid as it touched the ground.
"Impressive. I commend you for fighting so well, all of you. Yet you must not tire quickly. This body is more durable than my biological one. Blitz Sphere."
Archibald generated a giant ball of lightning, that rapidly expanded, electrocuting the entire cathedral. The storm zapped everyone repeatedly. Even Blaine felt the shock of the lightning on him.
"Ugh..." He groaned.
"Damn...why didn't we take a healer with us?" Other Blaine said. "Did both the Serenas have to go together?!"
"It might be alright." Matthew said. "I...know a few moves. I never really had to use them, cause I was with Tara most of the time...but it might be all we've got!"
"The odds are against you, boy. I may lack any healing skills myself, but my stamina will hold out for quite some time. Please, be aware that I shall no longer take any pleasure at the thought of your deaths. Zandyne."
Dan gasped. He couldn't get out of the blast's way, and it sent him spinning towards Other Blaine. Both men fell to the floor, in pain.
"Dammit!" Dan cried, getting up.
"This isn't anything like before...you're no weakling." Other Blaine said, also standing up. "Even so, I...I'll crush you!"
|Ashen Amurdad – Garden of Forgotten Love|2:56 am|
The more Amara explored this land, the more her heart sank. To know that aeons ago, all of this was destroyed by prejudiced barbarians. Maybe the ways of this land were odd and confusing to the outsiders. Even so, it didn't feel right to her. The people that once lived here cherished and loved their land, and intended to spread that same love around.
Now, Amara and her team were standing outside the grand palace of Amurdad, where the Kronos family had once lived. This was the Kronos Eternal Palace, which had been heavily inspired by a myriad of architectures. One could see Roman influence in the columns, Arabian in the arches, and some aspects looked Chinese.
"The people of Amurdad came from a wide variety of places. Here, so many ideas colluded, creating everything you see before you." Ethan said. "Maybe that's why the other citizens didn't like them. They were becoming something strange and unknown."
"It's such a tragedy." Alastair said. "In an age like this, more and more people are becoming tolerant of each other. Why does it need to take thousands of years for that?"
Other Amara gazed at the garden before them. To either side of the path were hundreds of gorgeous flowers, carefully arranged, as well as many busts and attractive marble statues depicting past members of the Kronos lineage. Suddenly, a woman started walking towards the group from the palace's main doors.
"Huh? Who's she?" Other Amara said.
The elegant young lady had silver straight hair, tied into a short ponytail and pink eyes, with a round face and freckles. She wore a long green dress, with yellow and pink flowers stitched into it.
"I think I saw her before." Amara said. "She's pretty..."
She looked to her right, and smiled. There, lying on the ground, was a little boy of about twelve. He had a mop of black curly hair, and dark blue eyes. His face was quite similar to that of the older woman, and he was dressed in a smart black silk shirt, with shorts to match.
She quickly walked to him, and sat by his side, stroking his hair. He looked up at her, and immediately went into hysterics. The language he spoke was unknown to most of the group, but Ethan began to speak.
"That long lady is Ashi Kronos. She was the Nihane of that time's daughter, his oldest child. That's her brother, Jahan Kronos. My...ancestor."
"That's right...she was killed." Alastair said, sadly. "He survived...how awful, losing everything so young."
"Seraphi – Sophie, can you tell what they're saying?" Amara asked.
"I can't translate their speech, like Ethan, but I can feel their emotions. Jahan is angry that his father won't let him go out and play with the other children, as he has to study very hard so he can one day become the next Nihane. Ashi is trying to comfort him, reminding him that she will always be his sister." Sophie said.
Finally, the boy stood up, sniffling, and let his sister hug him tightly. He smiled, and they went up the stairs to the palace, where their father stood. He wore clothes similar to Nihane's new form, except he looked much older, around forty-five, with a black tied beard and long hair. He looked sternly at his son, but his harsh gaze softened slightly when his daughter glared at him.
"Ashi often was the mediator between them. She knew her father could be strict, but she wanted her brother to understand his responsibilities." Ethan said. "As enlightened as Amurdad was, Ashi couldn't assume leadership."
"Poor Jahan..." Amara said. "He must have had a miserable childhood, especially after what happened."
"Perhaps that misery passed down the generations." Ethan remarked. "Isolation...resentment...a thirst for revenge. That doubtless started with him."
"Ethan, don't say that." Other Amara said. "It isn't too late. No matter how lonely I was...I just kept hearing a little voice inside me, saying never give up. You can escape from all of this, if you just believe!"
"Willpower is not a magic cure for life's problems, you insignificant little girl."
Everyone gasped. Soon enough, the speaker revealed themselves. A giant tomb, made out of dark marble covered in red writing, levitated from beneath the surface. The lid was sent into the sky, and disintegrated. Two bandaged hands clung to the sides, and the macabre figure sat up.
Alastair almost vomited at the sight. A decaying corpse, with bloodied bandages wrapping around the putrid flesh and rotten bones. Around the wrists were golden restraints, decorated with various jewels, and chains of purple and red were around the torso. The head wore the 'Death' mask, the only Shadow known to do so. It stood up, and the coffin disappeared.
"I was wondering when we'd run into you." Ethan said. "The Liberated Mummy."
"That's right. Unlike my comrades, however, I can hold a conversation - before I invite you into a cold, lonely death." The Liberated Mummy stepped nearer the group, as more chains appeared, dangling from the broken handcuffs. "What is it your researchers called us, Ethan? 'Trauma Shadows', was it? They fabricated quite an interesting hypothesis. In truth, my brethren and I existed long before the events they stumbled across."
"...What are you saying?" Sophie asked, nervously.
"All of us started out as formless, mindless thoughts sleeping within this once-empty world. It would have been around the time human beings started to take this land as their own. Aspects of their minds resonated within Inanis, and we started to appear. However, I was much faster to develop a form. Death is everywhere you look. For thousands of years, humans have feared death, and tried their level best to flee from it. I am what you all fear most...the end of life."
"So that makes you the leader of the Trauma Shadows?" Amara asked.
"I was there to guide them all when they finally took shape. Incidents happened over the centuries, and human thoughts regarding those stories granted them their new forms." The Mummy said, raising its arms above it's head, gazing into the sky. "We were beyond the physical realm. We existed, without knowing why. The mindless Shadows are content to wander around, but with awareness came agony for us. We had power, but no purpose. That is, until our kinsman first spoke to us."
"Janus..." Other Amara said. "It must have summoned you all here..."
"Not quite as grand as that. Janus thrust all of us Shadows into New Motus City. Yet Janus neglected to inform Ethan – or Nihane - of our true purpose. Thus, he made his insignificant researchers carry out tests to determine how much of a threat we posed to the humans living in terror. Little did they know that only a fraction of our power had been sent there...and only after our 'deaths' did our true selves emerge."
"I see now...the first forms we fought were just portions of the true thing." Alastair said, in deep thought. "When the others mentioned a kinsman, we just thought they meant Nihane. Little did we know..."
"Janus was born at the same time as all of us. We lacked guidance, but it took us all in as its family. Janus means the World to us! With all our strength, we will make the Eternal Road happen, so we can all rest together! Death's sweet slumber shall last forever...and you humans have no chance to escape its cold grasp!"
"Who says?" Amara said. "Humans are a lot greater than you think. We can make up for the past, with all of our lives."
"Brave words. Can you possibly hope to stand strong, in the face of Death itself?" The Liberated Mummy said. "You might have bested all of my peers, with considerable effort. Yet I, the thirteenth, am enough to defeat them all combined! When I break your necks, and drain you of blood and hope, you will regret your pitiful attempts at determination."
"Don't think my allies are weak, you rotting carcass." Ethan snapped. "Amara defeated Nihane! That's no small feat. We can get rid of you as well!"
"So be it. I will show you the truth. There is no escaping your fate...you have no place to call home. No matter how many Aeons must pass, that is reality. Amurdad is but a construct of deceased minds, and New Motus City has suffered dearly because of your actions. Only death will embrace you."
"Just shut it!" Amara roared. "Agidyne!"
The Liberated Mummy stood still, as the flames rushed at it. It did not moan in pain. Instead, it coldly laughed, and flung its arm forward, smacking Amara with the chains dangling from the restraint.
"What an abomination!" Alastair said. "Michael! Saintly Step!"
Michael Deus emerged, gazing harshly at this monstrous Shadow in front of him. It was around eight feet tall, yet the shadow it cast upon the ground was large. Michael did a prayer, and a giant comet of pure light fell upon the Liberated Mummy.
"Mind Charge!" Sophie cried, amplifying her powers. However, the Mummy attacked her, extending its chains to reach further away. "Argh!"
"This thing...is it really that much stronger than all the others?" Other Amara asked herself. "Even so, I have to try anything at all...Sable Cross!" Nepthys slashed the Mummy twice with her black sword, harnessing the power of darkness.
The Mummy did not react, at least visibly. It turned to Ethan, and began shaking its arms, sending the snake-like chains at him. Ethan frantically leapt over them, ducked under some, and rolled to dodge them as they pierced through the ground.
"Sraosha! Claíomh Solais!" Ethan commanded. Sraosha emerged, held its sword tightly, and with a blinding flash, struck the Mummy where it stood. "Take that, you monster!"
"Am I supposed to cower in fear? Me, the Shadow of Death? Ludicrous." The Liberated Mummy said. "Let me demonstrate just how far beyond the rest of my kin I am. Palida Mors."
An epitaph made of ice, with demonic-looking gargoyles fashioned into it, was created by the Mummy's dark power. Then, it fell upon the Other Amara's head, blasting her with severe cold.
"U...ugh..." She wailed.
"How many times must you or your other suffer the cold? After this long, it should be but a summer's breeze to you. Perhaps the reason you hate the cold so much is..."
"Because of what?" Amara asked angrily. "Spill it!"
"Think, Amara. You of the Sun, who embraces warm summers by bathing in the Saragel seas. What season was it when you were given that trinket around your neck?"
Amara gasped. Yes, the Mummy was right. Today was the very day her mother died, and it had been a cold winter that year. She was sure her hatred of the winter started before then...
"It was an especially cold year, Anno Domini 1997. You can imagine many feared my arrival, as the snow fell outside their homes. For you, Amara, it must have been quite the winter of discontent."
"...Yeah." Amara said. "It was...the worst winter I can remember. I hate the cold! I can't stand it! That's why I paint it! So when it's warm, I can look at my pictures, and admire the snowy landscape...without getting cold!"
"Amara..." Sophie said. "Please. Don't let this thing get the upper hand."
"It won't...she's me." Other Amara said. "Trust me. She won't listen to this bastard. You'll keep fighting!"
"Right!" Amara said. "My fire will keep us all warm! So maybe you ought to just get a life!"
"Clever...perhaps. But I think this will surprise you. The nature of our being allows me, the greatest Shadow here, to do this! Haha...Persona!"
A red aura surrounded the Liberated Mummy, and above came the Reformed Harlequin. Everyone gasped, as it juggled its balls – hitting Ethan with all of them, knocking him to the ground. The Harlequin vanished after the attack, and the Mummy stood there, mockingly laughing his enemies.
"What on earth?! A Shadow can use a Persona?!" Alastair said.
"No, not quite! That was the Harlequin. The Magician of the Trauma Shadows." Sophie said.
"Indeed it was. Even after being defeated twice, it is a part of me! All of us are one! Just as the useless Philemon taught you about the human mind..."
Amara glared at the mummy, grinding her teeth. Could she prevail over this thing? Or was defeating Nihane her limit?
This isn't like any Shadow I've seen before...I better not lose. Not tonight...Mother, Father, Tomas, Zao...please, protect me!
|Fallen Farawell – Cathedral of Shadow|2:56 am|
"Lightning Circuit!"
Other Quetzalcoatl sent a spinning wheel of electricity at Archibald, who was forced into one of the blood-stained walls by the force of the sparks.
"Nice one! Torment!" Blaine cheered. His Quetzalcoatl swung his electrified hammer down on Archibald, who had barely recovered from the previous attack. However, the two Cyber gloves were firing shots everywhere, which bounced around the cathedral like a pinball.
"Damn!" Matthew cried, as one got him in the back. "Gotta go with my instincts. Primal Twister!"
Ehecatl firmly embedded its hind legs into the ground, near to where Dan was firing his rifle – and missing. Next, the feline Persona raised both its arms, and conjured a tremendous tornado, trapping Archibald on the spot. Matthew ran at him, and tried to attack with his knifes – but was grabbed by both Cyber gloves, and thrown head first onto the pile of destroyed pews.
"Oh come on..." Matthew said, sorely standing up. "How come I'm the one that got blown away?"
"Chill, Matthew. I've got this. Mictlan! Xibalba!"
The atmosphere changed as per usual, yet this fake one was actually less disturbing than the Cathedral's. However, the waves of dark energy came flooding in, striking Archibald each time. With the final blast, the Cathedral reappeared, still as crimson as it was before.
"Krevad Mjolnir."
Archibald, using the cannons built into his new weapons, soared to the roof of the Cathedral, the only part of it that hadn't been tainted by gore. Charging massive volts of energy, as well as Almighty power, they both fired down on the entire group, shocking everybody with godly thunder.
"Fuck! That hurts..." Matthew said, clutching his sides. "Damn this old guy!"
"I'd say...he's been damned enough as it is..." Other Blaine said, staring into Archibald's masked face. "Not bad..."
"Heat Riser."
Archibald's every attribute was heightened, and his body was brimming with extra lightning. Blaine gulped.
C'mon...you beat Nihane with everybody...you can beat Archie too. Everyone else is going through this right now! And...I gotta get home. Dan's waiting for me!
"Power Charge!"
Quetzalcoatl charged up Blaine with fierce strength, swirling around him. He fired his gun, and hit Archibald right in the chest – which had there been real organs inside, would have been a prime place to shoot.
"Ziodyne!" Other Blaine cried. Another thunderbolt fell upon Archibald's head, causing his body to flash from the pain. "Ugh..."
"Try not to think about it, Blaine. Just fight him." Dan said, albeit with concern. "Matthew. We need to do something to hurry this up!"
"Oh! I gotcha..." Matthew said, with an evil grin. He twirled his knives, and struck a corny poser. "Let's go, then! Ehecatl!"
"Right! Mictlan, do something awesome!" Dan demanded, clicking his fingers. Mictlan emerged, and flew to Archibald. It lightly tapped him on the head with his scythe, and the area darkened. Only he was visible.
"Nightingale!"
Suddenly, a giant vortex appeared beneath Archibald. It grew more and more, becoming a hurricane of dark green. From beneath it, dark purplish birds shaped from energy flew out of it, and one by one, they hit Archibald, exploding. Finally, Archie fell down the vortex, and returned to the Cathedral, having been struck badly by the severe wind force.
"Alright!" Blaine said, giving Matthew a high five. "You sure know your stuff, dude!"
"Yeah. You too, Dan." Other Blaine said, approvingly. "...I'm glad you're both here."
"We're your family. Where else would we have gone?" Matthew said.
"Besides, we all know you're the crybaby!" Dan said. "That's where we come in. We'll cheer you up with a few pints, maybe a curry or some fries, and watch some old police drama."
"Please do not grow careless, even if you can conjure such frighteningly powerful attacks. I still have more than enough power to defeat you all!" Archibald gave himself another Megingjard, which Blaine now knew could not be broken without taking some pain. "Megidola."
The entire group was hit by a strong blast of Almighty energy. While brutal, it was at least one level less than Megidolaon. That was only a small consolation, considering this battle...
"Hey Archie! Here's another 'frighteningly powerful attack' for ya! Stormy Ascent!" Other Blaine cried, devoutly summoning Quetzalcoatl. The kingly Persona generated dark storm clouds, high above his foe. Then, after they grew bigger and darker, they exploded, and ferocious lightning bolts came down. The sparks surged all over the transformed Archibald, leaving smoke to fill the building.
"Punishment!" Blaine demanded. His Quetzalcoatl held out his hammer, and span it around in a perfect circle. Having built up speeds higher than a Concorde, Quetzalcoatl let go of the hammer, and it landed on Archibald with a colossal thud, causing parts of a nearby column to crumble into dust.
"I know this kind of sucks, but...Mediarama!" Matthew cried. His team was healed, yet Ehecatl could not come close to the healing potential of a Persona like Raphael or Chehooit. Matthew crouched down, to avoid a barrage of Cyber glove attacks. "Whoa!"
Dan tried shooting with his rifle, but his bullets weren't quite as potent as the energy shots Archibald could use. "Darn. Guess...I'll have to go for this! Nocturnal Prison!"
Dark blue lightning appeared, courtesy of Mictlan, and tried to wrap itself around Archibald. While the dark shockwaves it released had some effect, the lightning did not even scratch Archibald. In fact, it seemed to be sucked in.
"Fuck! But...Blaine can hit him with electric moves! What makes him so special!"
"I don't know!" Other Blaine said, flustered. "I just...the moment we started fighting, I knew I had to beat Archie!"
"Perhaps that is why. You have a personal reason to survive this confrontation. A reason strong enough to defy the unwritten rules...that strength may just stop Janus. Maziodyne!"
Everyone was struck by fierce lightning, which cracked the floor and made holes in the wall. Archibald, however, was not yet finished, much to the weakened Blaine's chagrin.
Damn, I'm feeling woozy already...oh god, can he tell?! Please, don't let him -
"Dynamo Cannon!"
Blaine was shot across the Cathedral with a tremendous volley of lightning, sending out sparks that singed the piles of wood that were pews. Blaine passed out, overcome by the pain.
"Shit! Not now!" Matthew cried in despair. "Blaine, I'm coming!" The young detective leapt over dozens of energy shots, and ran to the unconscious Blaine's side. "Hang in there! I'm gonna save you..."
Other Blaine, cautious, went behind one of the remaining pillars to dodge the laser bullets. He fired from behind, and simultaneously cast a Ziodyne on Archibald. At this same time, Dan furiously summoned Mictlan.
"Soul Harvest!"
Mictlan swung his deadly scythe into Archibald's transmogrified flesh, and tore it out, drawing in masses of blood-red energy. Dan took this energy into his body, and felt some stamina return.
"Recarm!" Matthew cried. He had only ever needed to use this once, during a risky battle in Inanis with Tara two years ago. They had bitten off more than they could chew that day, and it had been touch-and-go as to whether they could make it out alive. Just like now. Ehecatl managed to stir Blaine back into life, with only half of his vitality. "Sorry...it's not quite a Samarecarm."
"It'll do, Matthew." Blaine said, smiling. He got back up, and ran straight towards his adversary. Ignoring the hail of energy attacks coming his way, he pulled out his gun and shot his regular ammunition. Then, up close, he clobbered Archie with his fierce fists.
"Whoa!" Matthew cried.
"Now this takes me back..." Dan said. "You got us banned from the Black Wolf about five times, remember?"
"Wasn't my fault, the other guy started it each time..." Other Blaine said.
"ENOUGH DISTRACTIONS!" Archibald suddenly shouted, his harsh voice echoing through the entirety of the recreated 18th Century Farawell. "Járngreipr!" Cyber Sinistra and Dextra clenched up into fists, and energy burst out from their wrists. Next, they locked onto to Dan, and launched at him like rockets – punching him with two brutal hits.
"Darn...griper?" Matthew said, scratching his head.
"Hey, I've been hit by those fucking metal hands! Does it matter what he called it?!" Dan groaned, crouching from the pain.
"I think it's a Norse thing. I'll ask Serena later, she's good with that kind of stuff." Blaine said, as he helped Dan get to his feet.
"Weren't you listening to me? Please, Blaine. No more banter. This cannot end with me standing over your corpse. Not after everything you and your brothers have fought for! Dynamo Cannon!"
Archibald had mastered the abilities of Thor. Except this time, it was the Other Blaine who was struck down. He stayed conscious, thankfully, but the lightning shot was still excruciatingly painful.
Blaine kept quiet, but shot Archie – ducking under laser shots. Matthew was flinging his knives, trying to avoid the laser blades from the robotic pauldrons.
"Fuck!" Matthew said, as one hit him. "Die!" The lad somersaulted, attempting to get him from behind, but the Cyber Gloves struck him prematurely. "Argh! Come on!" Blaine launched a Lightning Circuit, while the Other Blaine reveled in exerting Torment. Dan, holding his gun tightly, shot powerfully at Archibald. Next, Mictlan used Xibalba yet again, as all its electric options were ruled out. Luckily, Dan leaned towards the darker side of his Persona.
"Cyber Calamity."
Cyber Sinistra and Cyber Dextra, the closest Archibald could now get to allies, swiftly moved to either side of Blaine's party, and began firing piercing beams at them. Then, they moved towards each other, pushing everybody into each other with immense force.
"Not...again..." Blaine groaned.
"Why did you guys have to be the bulky ones?" Matthew whined. Then he looked at Archibald, and gasped. "Shit! Watch out!"
"Mind Charge!"
With a snap of the fingers, Archibald's massive magic potential was boosted. With a sharp mind as his, he was bound to excel in magic, and the Cyber Gloves could make up for his lack of strength. Thus, his next attack was bound to be truly godly...
"We're...really screwed, aren't we?" Dan said, worried.
"I dunno. This is all I can do!" Matthew whined. "Mediarama!" Ehecatl gave everyone a pittance of life force. It had slightly gone up from prior usage, yet Matthew still lacked the same talent Tara did. She was no doubt fighting right this moment...was she thinking about him? Matthew hoped that at least once, she remembered he believed in her.
"What are you looking all doughy-eyed for?" Blaine asked. "...Hey. Your healing stuff helps us out, you got that?"
"Yeah. So no more bullshit over how the girls and Richard can do better." Other Blaine said, sternly. "Stormy Ascent!"
The storm struck Archibald, shaking the corrupted ground and completely crumbling the nearest pillar. Blaine grinned, and rolled away from all of the shots Archibald fired at him.
You already knocked me out once, Archie! And that's all you're getting! I promise...I won't die!I still have a home to go back too...and someone else to start a home with.
"Matarukaja!" The boost from earlier had worn off, but Blaine brought it back. Matthew nodded approvingly, and leapt away from the Cyber Gloves' swings.
"Get your hands off me!" Matthew said, with a sneaky grin. "Mediarama!" His team was restored again. Mediarahan, via one of the girls (or Richard) would have been excellent, but this seemed to be working well. Dan, however, decided he needed a top-up.
"Soul Harvest!" He cried. He stared coldly at Archibald, letting his potential for cruelty flow through him, as Mictlan's bloodthirsty scythe plunged into the man's false torso.
"Blitz Sphere."
A giant sphere of electricity, as before, engulfed the men, and electrocuted them severely. All of them were feeling dizzy when it was over, and sparks were still dancing over their clothes.
"Ugh..." Dan shook his head. "Damn! Janus just had to make this guy broken!"
"...Has Kyle been passing his game knowledge onto you?" Matthew asked.
"I had to listen to him hack into online games while I tried to get over hangovers..." Dan said, smirking. "Dammit...Kyle! I hope he's alright..."
"You should worry more about your own life, Daniel. Megidola."
An Almighty explosion struck everybody, knocking them to the floor. The energy around the cathedral intensified, and completely obscured the rest of the ancient Farawell. Dan, groaning, passed out – having taken the worst of the attacks.
"Shit!" Matthew groaned.
"You know what to do, right?" Blaine said. "We'll keep him busy. Don't worry! I got this!"
"You heard the man. Would I – either me – let you down?" Other Blaine said. "Go on, help Dan!"
"...Right." Matthew said. He hastily ran to his brother's side, checking his pulse.
"Ziodyne!" Blaine roared, sending down lightning at Archibald.
The Other Blaine was more content, however, with his physical prowess. Thus, he wisely chose to bestow himself with Power Charge.
"Even when your energy begins to ebb, you intend to face me with bravery..." Archibald said.
"That's right. We get it from our father." Blaine said, aiming his gun. The scene then turned into a shoot out, with normal bullets landing in every inch of Archibald's body. Subsequently, ethereal energy bullets ricocheted everywhere, breaking through the altar, the candles, and the giant statue of Jesus Christ.
"Dan...wake up! Recarm!" Matthew begged. Dan stirred, opening his eyes, just as the bullets landed near him. Holes surrounded the area he stood. Smirking, he turned to Archie, and shot him squarely in the face with his rifle.
"I guess you don't like guys sniping at you all the time. My bad." Dan said dryly.
"If only I could fight my programming...but this body only knows one directive. Absorb the power of a Divine Spark, and destroy those who attempt to stop me. You must shut me down! Krevad Mjolnir!"
Archibald's cannon was overwhelmingly potent. Against its power, Matthew was helpless. He dropped his knives and passed out, right by his brother's feet.
"No! Not you, Matthew! Not when we need you...!"
"Dynamo Cannon."
Dan gasped. Archibald was aiming right at him. When he fired, however, the result was unlike his expectations. Other Blaine was there in the centre of the blast, exhausted and covered in bruises and dust.
"Blaine? You...really love this man, don't you?"
"He's my big brother...what do you think?!" Other Blaine yelled. "You already took out my kid bro! When he was two...he was scared of me! Didn't know who I was, and I was too depressed to care about him...but then we were at the beach, the three of us. Seeing him mess around in the sand made us laugh...and then I took him out to the sea, so he could paddle..."
"Blaine..." Dan said. "You still remember that?"
"Thanks to tonight – no, this whole thing – I've remembered so many things. Lots of bad times, but plenty of good ones too! And this is turning out to be one of the worst nights of my life...I've got to turn things around!" Other Blaine said.
"We...we will win this!" Blaine said. "Archie...the other you told us we still had a chance..."
"Other me? Oh yes...Carlos talked with me on that, but we never resolved that...what do you know of him?"
"...Not a lot. But he believes in us. And you do too." Blaine said. "You want the same thing as us. So we'll get it! Janus doesn't get to make you his toy and get away with it!" Angry, he ferociously summoned Quetzalcoatl, to administer some Brutality."
"Let's try this...anything to survive!" Other Blaine said. "Elec Wall!" The remaining men were covered by a yellow, electric protective shield. Whether or not it could hold against Janus' game-changing abilities, however, was uncertain...
"Even hell would be better than being Janus' doll. Xibalba!" Dan cried, calling upon Mictlan. Cursed dark waves collided with Archibald yet again, and it seemed to be rather painful, judging from the man's sorrowful moans.
"With no means to replenish health, this battle is as good as mine..." Archibald said. "Yet I cannot say goodbye...not yet! Not yet! Please, prove me wrong, Blaine! Megingjard!"
Again, he was covered by a powerful barrier, which revolved around him. Dan grumbled. It was hard enough making it through this onslaught, without having their own attacks thrown back in their face.
"Járngreipr!"
"Dan! Look out!" Other Blaine cried.
Cyber Sinistra and Cyber Dextra slammed their fists straight into Dan. Without a word, he fell to the ground, bouncing off the floor. In immense pain, he got up, holding his sides and coughing up blood.
"Dan!" Blaine screamed. "Hang on! Maybe we can do something!"
"Nah...you guys have done enough for me already." Dan said, weakly laughing, as he wiped blood from his mouth. "I gotta do something in return...Recarmdra!"
"Huh?" Blaine said.
"Oh, fuck! No!" Other Blaine cried.
A mass of life force flew from Dan's body, as he slumped over, with a smile on his face. The energy gathered around the two Blaines, and with a great pulse of light, brought them back to full strength.
"Your friend was a brave man. Just like your father..." Archibald said, apologetic. "Janus...will not allow any mercy from me. It will force me to use all my energy, all my power. I wish we could have parted differently from this...but it looks like this is the very end."
The Cyber Gloves smacked their palms together, creating dark blue flashes. The gloves broke apart into tiny components, that swiftly rearranged themselves into a fierce weapon, resembling Thor's cannon but more than double the size. Archibald grabbed the cannon with both hands, and thunder and lightning rained down everywhere. The ceiling completely broke apart, and disintegrated as it fell. The walls started to crumble, leaving only the floor.
"Vingthor!"
"Fuck! No -!"
The cannon charged up, powered by billions of volts of electricity. It was built of cylindrical parts that rotated faster and faster, and it seemed to be sucking in residual energy around it. The weapon was already starting to break apart from the vast amount of power filling it. Finally, when it had reached it's limit, it fired, completely shattering. The two Blaines ran as fast as they could, but it was useless. The hammer was thrown.
The cathedral was completely bathed in blue electrified power, which was vaporising most of the scenery. The stained glass windows broke apart, and stone walls collapsed. All of the rubble was utterly turned into dust.
|Normal World – Dan & Blaine's House|3:15 am|
"Huh? What's going on?"
Dan got out of bed, and yawned. There was a loud commotion outside, many people screaming. Concerned, Dan opened the curtains – and almost fainted.
Outside, the entire city was surrounded by a giant purple wall of what looked liked a strange shiny liquid. The people outside, Dan's neighbours, were screaming, staring at the phenomenon. Above them was a sky unlike any Dan had seen before – a swirling vortex of purple, red and black.
"Holy shit!" Dan screamed. "What the – what the fuck is this?! Blaine, where the hell are you?"
He stormed out of his room, and flung open Blaine's door. There was no sign, only a bed that hadn't been made yet. Dan swore, and ran downstairs. No sign of Blaine sleeping on the sofa, or even the floor.
"Dammit..." Dan said. He reached for his phone, and dialled Blaine's number frantically. "Come on, where the fuck are you?!" However, there was no signal. The clock seemed to have frozen, too. "Oh god! Blaine...please tell me you're coming home! Right now, you idiot!"
He turned on the TV, but sighed. There was 'NO SIGNAL' for any of the channels. Not even an important announcement from the news. "Fuck's sake! What the hell do I do?!"
Just then, he felt a massive pain in his head. He had a strange vision – fighting what appeared to be a man with cybernetic enhancements. And Blaine was there next to him. And...someone who looked like Matthew. There was another man who seemed to be Blaine, too. The Blaine Dan knew.
"What...the...hell?!"
Dan knelt to the floor, grasping his head with both hands. He screamed, as more and more images and sounds came rushing in. An argument with Blaine, ending with Dan storming off aimlessly. Then getting drunk in what looked like The Mole, but really filthy and full of scummy other clintele. The barman was still Kaman Barrs, but looking extremely tired and depressed.
"That's...that never happened! The fuck am I seeing? Am I...going insane? Like everyone outside!"
Next, he saw a boy in a wheelchair, who seemed upset. Dan ended up leaving this bar, feeling guilty for some reason. There was an overwhelming vibe of sadness – the same sense of loss he had felt two years ago. When Dan went outside, strange beings appeared around him. These were called Shadows, Dan somehow knew. And then something even more bizarre happened. Dan, in this vision, summoned a being with a big explosion, and he called it a Persona. This creature used a scythe to murder all of these beings.
"...Persona? I...I know that!" Dan said, disturbed. He had seen – no, lived – through all of this before. But where? None of this had happened in his lifetime. "Huh? What – Blaine?!"
Now he was seeing Blaine, wearing one of his favourite leather jackets, standing near him in The Mole's backroom. Dan, in that vision, said 'So this is what the Blaine of the other world looks like', rather annoyed at the sight of him.
"Other...world?" Dan said, slowly. The penny had dropped. Blaine, for quite a few months, had been coming and going to this other world, filled with monsters that could only be killed by Personas. On those nights, Dan had always felt worried, and had often stayed awake in his bed waiting to hear the door open. And he felt a connection to Kyle the minute he saw him...and it wasn't just Matthew.
Little by little, these visions started to piece together. A decade of the other world's memories had been linked with Dan's – and vice versa. He both understood, and was confused. He knew of many things now. Nihane Kronos, leader of the Ater Vox. Matthew living in that world, even now. And Blaine fighting Archibald, who had been a close friend of his father Timothy.
"Blaine...you kept this other world from me? All...this time?" Dan said, frantic. "And you're there now?! Dammit! Why...why didn't you tell me?! If you lose...the world is going to end? No wonder..."
Dan got up, still in pain, and sat at the chair nearest the door. Furious, worried and scared, he looked out the window.
"You better come back, Blaine! If you can stop whatever's happening, do it! Just don't die, no matter what happens! You're my brother! You have to come home!"
|Fallen Farawell – Cathedral of Shadows|3:19 am|
Archibald's almighty power had reached its limit. The Cyber Gloves were no more, reduced to tiny components scattered around the floor. Smoke covered the Cathedral, and there was no sign of either Blaine.
Dan opened his eyes. To his surprise, he was still alive. Matthew roused too, and gazed at his brother.
"What happened...you alright?" Dan asked.
"Y-Yeah...but I thought I head something like a huge explosion!" Matthew said. He got to his knees, coughing, shaking dust from his hair. "Ugh...Huh?! What's all that smoke?"
"No!" Dan said, staring into the cloud. "Blaine...did he..."
Archibald turned to them, and shook his head.
"If you hadn't awakened, I might have been able to spare you pain." Archibald said, regretfully. "I'll make this as fast as I can. It may be best that you don't move -."
"Yeah, you heard him! Sit still and let us handle it!"
The two Kingsley brothers gasped. In an instant, the smoke cleared. The Cathedral had been completely levelled, but both Blaines stood still, battered and bruised, but their was vigour left in them. The two Quetzalcoatls were above them, back to back, as were their users.
No more shall we be tormented by pain and suffering. The stairway to redemption shall be set in stone! This decade of darkness shall end, and light will bless us once more!
Each Quetzalcoatl raised their mighty hammers, the atmosphere around them becoming very dark. Clouds were emerging above him, thick and heavy ones bursting with energy. They blotted out the 'sky' that cast ominous light over this false city, and flashes began to occur. The ground was trembling.
Dan and Matthew got up, despite being very exhausted. Archibald braced himself, knowing this was going to be a storm to remember.
"Sable Storm!"
As with Black Lightning, many thunderbolts began raining down on Archibald. The number of them, however, was far greater, and the lightning was ferocious. Eventually, there was just one giant pillar of dark lightning that Archibald was trapped him, and he was powerless to prevent the slow electrocution. Megingjard was useless to stop it, disappearing within seconds.
Finally, each Quetzalcoatl swung down their hammers, and the lightning finished with one massive flash, causing the clouds to disperse. When the smoke cleared, everyone saw their foe, floating weakly in the air. His body was still shooting sparks everywhere, and the pauldrons fell off and detonated, dissolving.
"How...how did you do that?!" Dan cried.
"Yeah! You survived whatever Archie was doing to you!" Matthew said.
"I dunno how...I just couldn't let myself die here. Not when I've got a home to go too." Blaine said. "So many things are just around the corner...I can't miss out on them!"
"Yeah..." Other Blaine said. "And I've still got a job to do. Kanaloa's gone cause of me, but this time I can save the other districts. And my brothers."
"Well...done..."
Archibald could no longer contain his pain. The metal mask, which had partially melted from the intense heat of the lightning, broke apart, revealing his face. It was not exactly a welcome sight, as patches of skin had been torn off to fit the cruel device. He fell to the floor, as the robotic legs and hands started to crack apart.
"Archie!" Blaine wailed.
"Dammit!" Dan said. "This has to be it! Surely Janus wouldn't make this go on any longer! Right!?"
"I...think this is it for me." Archibald said, in shock. "I've lost...again. No matter what I did...even with a higher being's help...you thrashed me every time. As it should be. You are your father's boy, after all..."
The Cathedral suddenly turned dark, and the walls were covered by the mass of shadowy energy. Archibald stared towards it, and slowly, his spirit regained his human form.
"Now I know what must be done." Archibald said. "Right, me?"
Everyone gasped at what happened next. The other Archibald, the one that had once garbed himself in a black cloak, popped out of nowhere. He extended a hand to his other self, who took it.
"Yes. Go, to that day. Create the other world. You have to."
The weakened Archibald's spirit walked straight into the Shadowy power, and instantly faded. Blaine, incredulous, stared at the other Archibald in fury.
"What the hell did you just do?" He asked.
"Ah I must explain." Archibald said, sadly. "The truth is, the Archibald that disappeared has gone back to the day of the convention. And ten years later, he has returned here."
"The fuck?" Dan said. "Wait. You mean...he actually went back in time?!"
"You question that, despite tonight alone? This is a fabricated world based on the New Motus City of two hundred and fifty years past. Here, the fabric of reality is distorted enough that with enough willpower and energy, one could do something unthinkable like travel in time." Archibald said. "Only his soul was sent there, however. Meaning there should be no time paradoxes. Rather, his soul will override the one of that present, and he will be thrust into his original body."
"Whoa, that's completely messed up. So that's how he knew what was going to happen. He had just seen it before..." Matthew said, surprised. "But doesn't that mean - "
"Yes. I've been dead for a long time, watching events repeat themselves in front of me. Nina is the same." Archibald said. "All I knew was that I had to 'create the other world'. And I realised that to do so, I had to change events significantly. That meant...the explosion. Stopping our plans before they ever got off the ground. Getting Ethan away from Janus' clutches."
"No way..." Other Blaine said. "Does that mean you knew about everything? Even Zao?!"
"My memories weren't quite together for some time. In fact...after the explosion, I had no physical body, and was just a lingering spirit. I've had to store energy from the Shadows to sustain a fake form, all so I make sure those of the new world can come to this one." Archibald explained. "When I saw Zao was with you all. I knew right away things would be bad. I recalled fighting Blaine with four others, and Zao was not among them. But I definitely recalled seeing Karl in that Interitus building..."
"Dammit..." Matthew said.
"Now the Archibald you defeated is back in that past. And at last, is back to this moment." Archibald said. "You've done extremely well. I can't thank you enough for all your hard work. You and your allies ought to finally achieve your victory."
"Archie..." Blaine said, tearfully. "Do you really have to go?"
He nodded, but without any joy. "I'm sorry. I'm...tired. I've had to stay in a fake body for far too long. But there is one last thing I can do for you."
"What?" Other Blaine asked, curiously.
"I know I can never relive the past." Archibald said. The cathedral vanished, and everything went bright. "But seeing it one last time...that will be enough."
|July 19th 1987|Kanaloa – Ravenscroft Lane|14:32 pm|
Blaine and the others gasped. They could not see Archibald, but instead were faced with a grimy street, decorated with rusty factories and run-down apartment blocks nearby.
"What the – here?" Blaine said. He knew this place quite well. In 2012, many of these factories had shut down, and pigeons could be seen flying in and out of the broken windows. The apartment blocks were under reconstruction, alas budget cuts prevented the firm from doing anything to really improve their living conditions.
However, this was the late 1980's. Blaine knew this because nearby, he saw the Duck & Dog, an old pub from that era - which shut due to unsavoury business he could no longer remember. While he and the others stared at the past Kanaloa, a smartly dressed man walked uneasily down a pavement, and grumbled when he trod on some chewing gum.
"Hey, that's..." Matthew said, looking closer. "Archibald?"
"Yeah, you're right!" Dan said. "What's he doing here, though?"
"It's a memory." Other Blaine. "Any minute now, and -"
It happened in an instant. Several young thuggish men, dressed in backwards caps and ripped jeans, advanced on the frail-looking Archibald. He had made the foolish decision to wear an expensive watch, and dress smartly, to his visit to the factory here. Thus, the ruffians no doubt considered this taking candy from a baby. Without even a word, they grabbed him, tore his watch off his wrist, and began beating the man.
"Ugh." Matthew said. "Was Kanaloa really bad in the 80's?"
"Yeah. It's always been a shitty place, but this was when things were really bad." Dan said. "These motorcyclist guys got killed in an accident way back, and that really killed morale around here. Especially in Ravenscroft."
"Look!" Other Blaine pointed.
"Dad!" Blaine cheered.
The would-be robbers stopped immediately when they saw the giant of a man approaching. His stocky frame and bulging muscles would have scared even a bear. His thick black beard added to his fear factor.
"What are you punks up to, huh?" Timothy asked, growling.
Without a word, the pathetic robbers ran away whimpering as fast as their puny legs could take them. Matthew happily gave them all the middle finger as they left.
"Serves you right! Bastards!" He said. "Justice always wins!"
"Especially when my dad's dishing it out!" Blaine added.
"Uh...huh?" Archibald said, in a daze. He gasped. Blood was dripping from his mouth, and he was covered in bruises. "No, please...I'll give you all my money, even the watch! Just please, let me go home!"
Timothy knelt down besides this man, and lifted his chin up. Archibald managed to stare into his eyes, the same kind of gentle brown ones his son had. They were compassionate, and even if just a little, Archibald managed to settle down.
"You really want to go home like that?" Timothy asked. "You're a mess..."
"It's fine! I'd just...I'd like to get out of here as fast as I could!" Archibald wailed. "Those hooligans, they...they..."
"Calm down, okay?" Timothy said, gently as he could. "You'll get to go home soon. But how about you come to my house, so we can get you cleaned up?"
"...What? Your house?!" Archibald said. "Is this a trick?"
Tim sighed, and shook his head. "Yeah, I get it...most punks like that shit themselves whenever they see me around. But I can't just let you go home like that. Come on, my house isn't too far."
"Why...are you being nice to me?" Archibald said. "Kanaloa is supposed to be a lion's den..."
"Lion, huh?" Tim said. "Sounds like me. Just wish my name was cooler than Timothy. Ah, whatever. We're not all like that. You want to know what I did today? Make a new bed for my kid. He's into teddy bears, so I made the headboard shaped like one. He loves it!"
The man with broken glasses stared at this hulking man looming over him, and seemed to be picturing this. Confused, but somewhat calmer, he spoke up. "Timothy, is it?" Archibald said. "Thank you...I think I'll take you up on your offer. My name is Archibald Ebert."
"Oh, like that film critic from the States!" Tim said, happily. "Me and the wife watch him on TV sometimes." With Tim's help, Archibald stood up, and dusted off his clothes. "I guess I better fully introduce myself. Timothy Spencer."
"You said your home is near, yes? Lead the way, please." Archibald said, as Tim supported him.
Later, the group's vision changed. They were in the hallway of a suburban house, a street away from the Kanaloa promenade. The walls were white, and the carpet was green with a yellow flower pattern. Blaine noticed the pairs of shoes nearby, such as the high heels his mother liked, the big work boots his father used, and tiny shoes he had once worn, that lit up whenever he walked.
From the kitchen, a woman appeared. She had shoulder length light brown hair, and had youthful green eyes. Blaine gulped. He was staring at his dearly departed mother, Pauline.
"Hi darling – oh god! What's happened here?" Pauline asked, shocked. A little boy peaked his head from around the door, munching on chocolate chip cookies. His hair was still quite messy, and he wore a blue t-shirt and black shorts.
"...That's Blaine?" Dan said. "Man, hard to believe you were that small!"
"I was five then, Dan..." Other Blaine said, sighing.
"Honey, this man got into a fight in Ravenscroft. Can you get some ice for him?" Timothy asked. "Come on, Archibald, you can sit in the living room."
"Daddy, he's not bald!" Young Blaine said. "He's just not as hairy as you!"
"No, son, that's his name. Archibald." Timothy said, walking into the lounge. There, Archibald was seated on the black sofa, and glanced around. He saw many nice things – cheap paintings of flowers Pauline had purchased, doodles of his parents Blaine had drawn, and family photographs. There was also an old dusty TV, and a box filled with an assortment of toys. Further away was a collection of records, such as Michael Jackson's Thriller and Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time.
"Nice place you have here." Archibald said, ignoring the twinge of pain in his head. "Oh...I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Timothy. I'll be out of here as soon as I feel up to it."
"Hey, it's fine." Timothy said, as his wife came with the bag of ice. Blaine came back from the kitchen, holding up a glass of water. "Whoa! How'd you get that?"
"I reached for it! I'm getting bigger now!" Young Blaine said, happily. Pauline winked knowingly at her husband who nodded. He ruffled his son's hair, and laughed.
"Good lad." Archibald said, taking the glass. "Thank you. What's your name, then?"
"Blaine!" The boy said. "It sounds cool, doesn't it? Like a hero!"
"It suits you." Archibald said, smiling. "And how old are you, Blaine?"
"Five!" Young Blaine said, excitedly. "I'm in school now! My teacher is nice, even if she smells like the stuff my daddy tells me I'm not allowed to touch!"
"Oh, she does?" Pauline asked, alarmed. "It's so hard finding a good school here. I thought this one was perfect..."
"That reminds me, Blaine, you need to finish your homework." Timothy said. His son sighed, and crossed his arms. "Don't get like that, son. You have to finish it, and me and your mum are going to check it this time."
"But it's so boring!" Young Blaine said. "And maths is hard..."
Archibald laughed, much to the boy's confusion. "You just wait until you're older, lad. I have to do really complicated maths for my job."
"Oh, what's your job, mister?" Blaine asked. "You look too weedy to do what my daddy does!"
"I'm a carpenter." Timothy said, flexing his biceps. "Blaine, you have to be more polite when speaking to people."
"Well, he's at least observant." Archibald said, amused. "Since you asked, Blaine, my job is to make software for computers. They call me a programmer. There are a lot of computers out there, and programming involves typing out 'code', which often involves number crunching."
"Oh, I see those on TV all the time!" Young Blaine said. "But Daddy says we can't get one..."
"Hmm." Archibald said. "Tell you what. If you finish all your homework tonight, maybe – if your dad approves – I'll let you see some of the games I have for my computer."
"What?" Pauline said, surprised. "What sort of games are we talking about? I don't want him getting any strange ideas..."
"I once worked at a Primary School in Norwich. I helped create some education games on a BBC Micro for the students to play around with. Perhaps I could let your son use them on my machine, to help him with school?" Archibald said.
"Can I, Mummy?" Young Blaine asked. "Please, Daddy?"
"Well, as long as they're not too hard." Pauline said.
"Sounds like we've got a plan, then!" Timothy said. "Archibald, how would you like to stay for dinner? Maybe you can tell us more about yourself."
"What?" Archibald said, surprised. "No, I couldn't possibly -"
"Of course you can!" Pauline said. "Tonight, it's Tim's turn to cook. And he's got a great meal planned. It'd be a shame to see his roast lamb go to waste..."
"Roast...lamb." Archibald said, licking his lips. "Well, if you insist."
"Yay!" Young Blaine said, smiling.
Those not of the memory watched, as time went by. More and more, Archibald came back to the house, without any bruises, and Blaine kept bugging him with schoolwork. Pauline and Timothy were great at parenthood, but with an extra pair of hands to help, it was easier to find time to enjoy it further. The group saw many events, one of them being a hot summer day a year later in a nearby park.
|August 10th 1988|Logan Park|15:18 pm|
Archibald was holding up a camera, a rather high-end model for 1988. Standing close together were Blaine and his parents, smiling wide for the camera. Just as Archibald pressed, over, something happened.
"Whoa!" Blaine said out loud. A big dog had just jumped across them, grabbing a frisbee thrown by his owner. Pauline laughed, and although annoyed, Tim joined in.
"So it was Archie who took that pic..." Blaine said, laughing. "That damn dog. Just had to use up the last of his film!"
"Hey, we came here all the time! I remember this place!" Matthew said, eagerly running around. "Just as I remember it! Look, there's that big tree with the swings attached to it!"
"Yeah, that's right...never thought I'd get to see this old park again." Dan said, smiling. "Sure doesn't look that different. You were always too fast for us guys to keep up, huh?"
"The advantage of being smaller, bro." Matthew said, happily.
"You know...I think we'll work with this." Archibald said, putting his camera aside, as he managed to stop his laughter. "It's certainly going to be a memorable picture."
"I suppose so..." Timothy said. "I just wanted to take a few nice pictures for the family album. Never mind. You want an ice cream now, Blaine – huh?"
Already, Blaine was running around playing with the dog, much to the mutt's delight. It was a large German Shepherd, but it was a gentle and patient animal. Blaine, with the dog's owner's permission, threw the frisbee as hard as he could, and the dog caught it in his mouth. Wagging its tail, it brought it back to him, and licked his face.
"Yay!" Young Blaine said. "Daddy told me dogs are a man's best friend, but you're a boy's best friend instead!"
"Oh, honey..." Pauline said, chuckling. "We can't take him anywhere. I'm sorry about this, sir -"
"Sorry about what?" The dog's owner said. Blaine vaguely remembered seeing this man around Kanaloa. In fact, a few weeks back he walked past him with a different dog, a King Charles Spaniel. Blaine had tickled it behind the ears, while on his way to meet Nathan at the pub. "Becky here loves making friends. Especially ones that throw her stuff. But I have to get home, so say goodbye, Becky!"
Becky barked at Blaine, wagging her tail, before leaving the park with her owner. The boy waved, and went with his parents and an elated Archibald to the ice cream van.
The environment changed again, back to the Spencer home...during the festive season.
|December 25th 1988|Spencer Home|16:00 pm|
The family had just finished their soup, one of Pauline's home recipes. Blaine's mouth watered at the smell. It had been so long since the days his parents lovingly made meals for the family in the kitchen, and he was too short to help out.
Archibald was sat there, besides Blaine. The family, including him, were wearing paper hats, and were groaning at the bad jokes inside the Christmas crackers. These were a British tradition that had carried over to the city, where you and another person pulled them apart to reveal the hat, questionable jokes and cheap gimmicky toys.
Blaine was trying out a metal sliding puzzle, and squinted at it. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pull the two interlocked metal pieces apart.
"Tough, isn't it?" Archibald said, watching the lad struggle. "Try looking at it from another perspective. You need to see the puzzle from every angle."
"Dad! Archie's trying to turn Christmas into homework!" Young Blaine whined.
Timothy chuckled, and messed up his son's hair. "Ah, we can work on that later. And besides, you've got Archie's present to look forward to."
"Ah, yes." Archibald said. "I know, you'd rather not spoil him, but I figured that if you could all play it with him, it'd do you all a world of good." He glanced to the opened present in the living room – a Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
"...Mum ended up having to sell that after Dad died." Other Blaine said, shaking his head.
"Blaine..." Dan said, holding his friend's hand.
"That was ages ago. I...I just couldn't believe I forgot all of this. Archie was like my hero, the greatest guy besides my dad, and I put him out of my mind...all cause I was scared." Other Blaine said, ashamed. "Archibald..."
"It's alright. I wanted to show you the times we shared together. Those, Blaine, are what you should cling to. Not for the purpose of dwelling in the past, like me. No, taking the love and warmth of your old days into the new." Archibald's voice said, echoing throughout the memory-created walls.
Later, Blaine's family were eating a delicious-looking turkey, which had been another joint-effort by Tim and Pauline. The adult Blaine sighed. If only Lucy could cook...it'd be nice making a meal together.
The young Blaine cheerfully munched on the meal, enjoying the cranberry sauce and the pickled onions. Both parents seemed happy he ate his vegetables, knowing he did so with the hope of growing up to be like his father, or so he'd have teeth as nice as his mother's.
"Archibald...you really loved hanging out with us, didn't you?" Blaine asked.
"It brought me more happiness than anything in my past. My marriage was ill-fated, my career had consumed me, and retirement would be a lonely experience looming around the corner. To think that being attacked by those lowlifes would have led me to this."
"It's horrible that things ended too short." Matthew said. "But...it's great that it happened at all. I think all of you were better for knowing each other."
"You might be right. Had I never met Timothy Spencer, I might never have found any true companions at all. Facing death used to terrify me, but now I can face it head on. Blaine, my best friend's dear son, will be able to carve his own path. But don't put these memories aside. These were times of innocence.
|Fallen Farawell – Cathedral of Shadows|3:29 am|
The series of memories was over, and everyone had returned to the shadowy Cathedral. Both Blaines were lost for words. They had been taken back to one of the happiest times in their lives – when both parents were around, and they had made a new friend. It was the start of a golden age for everyone involved.
"That was..." Matthew said, nervously.
"So those were your parents..." Dan said. "I never thought I'd see them outside of a photo album."
"Timothy Spencer saved me from a life of loneliness." Archibald said, still kneeling on the ground. "Tim proved to be a kind, gentle soul, that could wear the mask of a ferocious beast if it meant protecting those he loved. And I'm honoured that I was one of them."
Blaine smiled slightly. Archibald's spirit was waning, and within moments it would be gone from this world. It had been his plan, he realised, but to have to say goodbye...it hurt. He had just watched memory after memory, of various pasts, and it had rekindled so many grand moments of his days of boyhood.
"Please..." Archibald said. "I will be gone very soon...you'll have to stop Nihane without me. Ethan needs you all now, for...I cannot aid him."
"Wait! Just one second!" Other Blaine said. "Archie, I...I loved you! You were one of the best things that ever happened to me, and I completely forget all about it! I'm sorry..."
Archibald laughed, standing up. "You forgot because the memories were too painful. But...you must learn to find solace in those days. Remember well. You were very loved, by all of us."
"Archie...take care." Blaine finally said. "We'll handle things this side."
With a grand smile, Archibald nodded. Just then, a glowing figure flew from the energy. It began to take form, and everyone gasped.
"What the -" Matthew said.
"How the hell did -" Dan said.
"D...Dad?!" Blaine shouted, eyes wide.
Timothy smiled at his old friend, and held his arms open. Archibald gladly embraced his friend, for the first time in many years. They may have both been spirits, but their bond remained true. Next, Timothy appeared in front of Other Blaine, with a tearful, yet proud smile.
"Dad...I...I did my best, so I could be like you..." Timothy laughed, but shook his head. "But I didn't forget what you told me...to be myself. I'm gonna...save the city...okay?"
Timothy nodded, and quickly wrapped his intangible arms around his grown son. Matthew noticed something – Blaine was actually taller than his father. Maybe only slightly, however. Next, Timothy went to the other version of his son.
Dad. No matter what happens, I still love you and Mum. I'll never forget you, no matter how old I get! I just wish I could have introduced you to my girlfriend. She's probably not the kind of girl you're used to, but I bet you'd like her. She's gorgeous, she's smart, and she never lets me get away with anything...oh, and my other friends, like Amara, Nathan and Serena. You'd love them too.
Blaine. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. Don't worry about me not being around anymore. Now that you're a man, you can handle yourself, and take care of the friends you love so much. Just remember, someday you'll be in my shoes. You better be ready to tell some good stories about your amazing grandpa!
Blaine opened his eyes, stunned. To hear his father's voice like that again wasn't what he expected at all. Timothy smiled, laughing, and grabbed Archibald's hand. They looked at each other, peace flowing through their hearts at long last. They disappeared in a flash, together, and the Cathedral was left as a stone floor with only fragments of walls still standing. The rest of Farawell looked much the same, except Shadows seemed scarce now.
"...You okay?" Matthew asked. Other Blaine's eyes were welling up with tears, as was his counterpart's.
"You guys need a moment to yourselves, dontcha?" Dan said. "We could use a break, after all of that. We'll be waiting by the exit." He and Matthew walked by the front door, making sure not to look upon the two Blaines.
"Hey..." Blaine said, still holding back his tears. "I should have told you way before now...Dan found a letter at home, that Dad wrote -"
"Yeah, I know. I heard his thoughts...you did too, right?" Other Blaine said. "Don't worry. I can tell what he wanted to say. I always knew how to read him. When he was with me and Mum, he didn't hold back his feelings. He was the happiest guy around."
"Hehe..." Blaine said, blushing. "Now I'm glad I wound up in this world. It's made me realise a lot of things. Even if things suck in life, you can turn things around. Like Dad."
"Let's put that to practice, then!" Other Blaine said. "We'll go and show Janus who's boss!"
"Gotcha!" Blaine said. "This has been one hell of a ride. Before we go, can I just say one thing?"
"Shoot." Other Blaine said.
"Don't buy Lucy's dad a drink." Blaine said. "Oh, and don't buy her flowers either. Get her some white chocolate."
Blaine left, smiling, whilst his counterpart laughed to himself. The two reached the others, and as brothers, they left for Amurdad. Dreaming of the future would be what got them through their final night of battle.