-The Story-

(Cue- Disquieting: Kingdom Hearts RE:COM)

From the Far Reaches of Hell….

A Tome of Darkness. Its pages tell of forbidden and dark techniques going into the subject of necromancy. In the wrong hands, this tome would pose incredible danger.

Cyrus Albright, a scholar from Atlasdam, has been on a sabbatical quest to find and retrieve the tome, to solve a long unsolved mystery. Joining him is Team Revival, a small, yet determined group of individuals, who aid Cyrus in his quest to find the tome. On a journey that takes them from Atlasdam to Quarrycrest and finally Stonegard, this group has stopped those of evil from using the tome's techniques any further, including the headmaster of the academy, Yvon. Now their journey is close to an end when they arrive in Duskbarrow where Lucia was said to have been seen going to.

This is the Climax to the Tale of the Scholar...perhaps.

(end Song)

"And you twist the button and…" Connor said twisting a button to a stone door as it opened up. "And in we go."

Connor, Team Revival and Cyrus had arrived in Duskbarrow and began searching for where Lucia was headed. Spotting her entering a mysterious door, Connor figured out the mechanism and allowed his group entrance into a place none of them have seen.

"Whoa… this place is…" Connor said.

"Ancient?" Morph asked.

"That, but I was gonna also say amazing and mysterious." Connor said. "Even these...stone...paintings…" he said touching one before something flashed before his eyes.

"Huh?" Connor said before seeing himself standing on a small bit of land as he looked out to see the continent ablaze in a sea of fire. "What the hell?" he said as a dark figure rose from the flames and roared before smashing its hand down on Connor.

"Connor?" Morph asked. "You okay?"

"What...what happened? The fire? The the the…" Connor said.

"What are you talking about? You just stared into space for about a minute." Betty said.

"Sorry, Bets. I just saw something when I touched the stone tapestry." Connor said. "It was pretty apocalyptic."

"Connor, quit talking crazy and let's get going." Volta said.

"She's right. This is no time for jokes." Betty said as the rest continued.

"My word!" Cyrus said as they came along a large collection of tomes and books.

"Trials of the Twelve Volume Seven? They stopped at Volume Five. These tomes have been missing for many years." Betty said.

"Did Yvon do all of this?" Hawkeye asked.

"Somehow I doubt it was him." Cyrus said as they approached a podium where Lucia stood atop.

"So you went and followed me this far, have you?" Lucia said.

"We did. We came to stop you from going off the deep end." Volta said.

"Please. I and only I control all of this world's hidden knowledge. Your search for this lost tome has miraculously lead you to me. You all have shown great knowledge and acumen. A true passion for seeking out the truth. I hold that quality in highest regard. What say you all? Will you join me in my research?" Lucia said.

"Ridiculous. This this is a jest, it is a poor one." Cyrus said.

"Oh come now. You must have been drawn to the countless tomes in my collection." Lucia said.

"To say I was not intrigued would be a lie." Cyrus said

"Yes. Of course you were. Any true scholar would." Lucia said. "Your mind...no, your soul burns with the very desire to know! That is what separates you from the rest, Cyrus! We are true seekers of knowledge you and I! Together, we can unlock the secrets behind our world!"

"I'll pass." Cyrus said.

(Cue- Octopath Traveler: For Truth into Decisive Battle 2)

"How...how can you refuse?" Lucia said.

"That's just it exactly. You do not truly care for who you use in your schemes. What of Headmaster Yvon?" Cyrus asked.

"Please, he was devoid of the passion you had. He had no chance to improve." Lucia said.

"But if you found him wanting, why not teach him? Take him on as your pupil, instill knowledge, so that one day you could look upon him as your peer." Cyrus said. "See, this is the difference between you and I. I have not given up on mediocrity. As scholars, we learn from the past to better understand our present, and pass on our knowledge into the future. What do you mean to do with the knowledge you will amass? The secrets you unravel? Carry them to your grave? Completely inscrutable to those who cannot understand your genius? You would call them simpletons...fools...feeble minds. I say it is you who lacks the ability to teach and inspire! A true scholar does not look down on those who are in need of knowledge. I teach my students with the expectation that one day, they will surpass me. I long for the day for the chance to learn from them!" Cyrus said.

"Enough!" Lucia said. "I gave you chances to make a move, any move. But clearly you will not make it. If all of you wish to die, so be it." Lucia said. "I have already synthesized a perfect blood crystal as detailed in the original tome. With this...I cast off the shackles of humanity. I will gain the power to understand...everything." she said plunging the crystal into her chest.

"Wait...stop! We can still work this..." Connor said.

"Shut...up!" Lucia said taking on a new monstrous form.

"Good god…" Volta said.

"You may call us fools. But listen well...when we emerge victorious...we will decipher the mysteries behind this place!" Cyrus said. "The future of mankind is bright!"

And so the group engaged the monstrous and giant form of Lucia, who thanks to the blood crystal, gained inhuman strength.

"I will not fail!" Cyrus said.

"Her body seems to have built up a defense against physical attacks...so guess we'll go elemental!" Volta said. "Lightning Devil's Rage!"

"Eat this!" Connor said firing elemental shots from his rifle.

Mustang snapped his fingers as Lucia ignited in flames. "You have to be an idiot to think you can stand up to us." Mustang said.

"Of course...how could I forget this man incinerated Yvon to the point of death." Lucia said before she roared and charged.

Connor then ran at Lucia and ducked under a fierce punch from Lucia and slid under her body. He then doubled back and ran up her bent spine and slammed the butt of his rifle down on her head, followed by a blast from his shotgun which stunned her as he laid on an onslaught of firearms, and finished off with a knee to her face, making her fall over with her crystal vulnerable as Connor loaded his last revolver bullet.

"Lucia...you were a bad woman...but I can't help but feel you didn't deserve this. I hope you'll be thankful for what I'm about to do." Connor said.

"What are you waiting for? Finish her off!" Cyrus said.

"Connor, don't stall! Do it before she recovers!" Mustang said.

Connor aimed his revolver at Lucia's heart, almost pulling the trigger.

But Connor didn't. He fired his last shot into the air and put his revolver away.

"What…?" Lucia asked.

"Under all that monstrous size and muscle, you're still a woman." Connor said. "But…. that's not why I'm choosing to take your life."

"He's… sparing her?" Mustang asked.

"You….are a true fool!" Lucia said smashing the gem on her chest, her body falling apart into ash.

"Better that you would take your own life than I would do it for you. Some paths are just too far in to turn around. But it wouldn't look good in the ending to my story if I ended her life." Connor said adjusting his hat. "You lived learning all you could… and died honorably in your pursuit of knowledge. Adios."

Connor then picked up the real copy of The Far Reaches of Hell and gave it to Cyrus.

"Professor Albright. From the Far Reaches of Hell, as you wanted it." Connor said tipping his hat. But as soon as Connor did, he soon saw darkness before him. "What the?"

"Warrior of Knowledge...you have indeed proven yourself well learned." a voice echoed.

"Who's that?!" Connor asked.

"I am Alephen, the Scholarking and one of the twelve gods of this realm." the voice said.

"I'm honored that you grace me, Lord Alephen, but… me? A warrior of Knowledge? I'm just a bounty hunter." Connor said.

"Knowledge isn't all just facts and figures...it is also deciding which is the right course of action to take." Alephen said.

"I see...then I guess I am one." Connor said.

"But listen...this story is not over." Alephen said.

"It isn't? What's goin on?" Connor asked.

"As we speak, a horrible evil will be unleashed upon this world. You already saw through the vision I sent into you." Alephen said.

"So that wasn't just me actin crazy…" Connor said.

"No, it is a vision of the not so distant future. I cannot explain much but those writings you saw...they were a warning." Alephen said.

"A warning? Of what?" Connor asked.

"Just listen...you must convince Cyrus and your companions to go to the ruins of Hornburg." Alephen said.

"I don't know what i'll find there, but… if you think it's the right way to go, then I trust you." Connor said.

"Well met, Warrior of Knowledge." Alephen said as a mark appeared on Connor's arm. "As a reward...you now wield the powers of a Scholar."

"Sweet…" Connor said.

"I shall also grant you the power of Alphen's Enlightenment. With this power, you shall be able to strengthen the abilities of all your allies Magic and Alchemy. Use it wisely." Alephen said.

"Thank you kindly Alephen, I won't let you down." Connor said as the vision ended. "The return to class will have to wait, Cyrus. We gotta head to Hornburg. The answer to your mystery is awaiting us there."

To be continued in upcoming Final Chapter…