Final Fantasy: Rise of Despair
When we last left off, Cole chose not to travel with the party, however as he revealed with Kate, he did want to. The party traveled on for a while, Heidi apparently wanting Harris alone for something, when a calamity struck at the lodging town they arrived in. Now three teams face the likes of Colonel Ize, General Agres, and worst of all, Marshal Agon himself. Can they overcome this challenge?
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy: Tactics Advance, I do own the characters and plot.
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Defeat?
Ize drew his tulwar sabers from their sheaths and twirled them around a bit before taking a fighting stance. "Heh heh heh heh, so… which of you wants to die first?" Ize asked.
"Big words coming from someone who is outnumbered and outmatched." Hunter said as he prepared his bow.
"Yes, you have me to deal with, and Kyle to deal with." Laura said as she drew her rapier.
"Wait a second, I'm still here." Hunter said.
"Hm? Oh sorry, I forgot you were there." Laura said.
"You always do this to me! Even in the middle of a fight." Hunter said.
"I'm starting to think I'm losing face here." Ize thought.
"Would you two please focus, if he is a Colonel we can't underestimate him." Kyle said. "Haste!"
"Finally, twister!" Ize cast a spell that caused a purple whirlwind to form around the party with slicing blades of wind.
"Carbuncle!" Laura summoned Carbuncle quickly and had it shield them from the attack. Once the whirlwind cleared, all they could see around them was a golden cloud. "Where did he…"
"Hastebreak!" Ize dashed by the lot of them and swiped at them with mana that formed blue claws on his hands.
"Fire breath!" Kyle turned and breathed out a blast of flame at Ize.
"Earth jujutsu! Earth veil!" Ize created a wall of earth in front of him that blocked the flames with ease. Ize then dashed out from behind but then found himself snagged on a bunch of wires. "What!"
"Ha! Fell for it!" Hunter shouted confidently. "Eat this!" Hunter then fired an arrow at Ize's chest.
"Heh…" Ize seemed to inhale deeply and then. "Acid!" Ize spit out a yellow glob that melted the arrow on contact.
"Ew…" Laura said in disgust.
"Acid!" Ize then spit much smaller yellow globs on the wiring around him.
"He's getting out!" Kyle drew his lance and leaped in to the air, preparing a jump attack.
"Too late!" Ize freed himself from the wiring. "Dragon force!" Ize surrounded himself with a yellow dragon's head that sunk in to his body, drew his sabers, and blocked both Laura's rapier and Kyle's lance. "Blow up!" Ize's body started to glow bright orange.
"Whoa!" Kyle managed to leap away but realized he was jumping farther away from Laura. "Laura!"
"Damn it!" Laura shouted. Laura thought she felt something wrap around her waist, right before Ize exploded.
Meanwhile…
"Raaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!" Casey charged Agres with his sword ready to strike. Agres skillfully blocked the attack and swinging his own weapon about like a bo staff. The two went at it full speed and full force for a moment with their weapons, neither one of them seeming to gain the edge. Casey then found and opening and went in for a thrust with his sword.
"Augh!" Agres took a thrust in to his waist, but jumped away while thrusting the spear end of his pole axe, sending a purple lance of mana that Casey simply deflected. "Why you…" Agres growled at Casey as he checked his wound.
"Is this all? You realize how foolish it was to attack my comrades now do you?" Casey asked as he twirled his sword once.
"Okay, I've stopped most of the bleeding." Brently said.
"Curaga!" Syack cast curaga on Adam, the wound disappeared quickly, but still left something of a scratch. "What a wound…"
"Ooooggghh…"
"Don't move! You might open it back up again." Syack snapped.
"But… Master… Casey…" Adam gasped.
"He'll be fine on his own. He is a Racemaster after all." Syack assured him.
"Man, how did you stand that wound?" Brently asked him.
"Ha… this is nothing. Why I used to be left on a mountain by Master Casey to withstand an avalanche he'd start as training. And what fine training it was." Adam said fondly, while Syack and Brently only have him weird looks.
"RAH!" Casey swung his sword with all his might, but Agres blocked it, spun around to Casey's backside, and began stabbing him in the back repeatedly. "Augh!"
"Ha ha ha ha! Like that you bastard!" Agres shouted.
"Tremor!" Casey stomped the ground and sent Agres skidding backwards by the force.
"What the…"
"Air Render!" Casey sheathed his sword and began throwing his fists rapidly, sending blasts of compressed air to bombard Agres rapidly.
"Gah!" Agres was slowly being pushed backwards by the assault, then using all of his strength, he picked up his pole axe, and then swiped it so that it struck the ground and sent a purple shockwave in Casey's direction. "Black snake!" The wave weaved along the ground until it hit Casey full force.
"Oof!" Casey went sprawling backwards, getting up just in time to block a swift vertical slice from Agres.
CLANG
"This… is fun." Agres said menacingly.
Meanwhile…
"Will you accept my challenge?" Agon asked emotionlessly.
"You, are challenging me? You know who you're challenging right?" Matt asked as the two began walking in a circle.
"Of course." Agon replied.
"The… Marshal… himself…" Mendoza said while quivering.
"Hm?" Harris turned and noticed Mendoza. "Wait Mendoza…"
"Let me at him!!!" Mendoza shouted angrily as he drew his weapon and charged.
"Mendoza stop!" Harris shouted.
"You're not going alone buddy!" Monty shouted as he drew his gun and started shooting at Agon. Agon swung his blade and deflected each individual bullet fired at him before disappearing in a blur. "Huh?"
"OOF!!!" Mendoza was swiftly gut-kicked and sent sprawling backwards by Agon.
"Black consuming." Agon raised a glowing black hand above his head before it disappeared.
"Move!" Harris shouted. He grabbed Heidi and the two leaped away from two separate portals that opened up beneath where they were standing. However, Gilbert, Monty, and Mendoza weren't so lucky.
"Gah!" Gilbert shouted as the tentacles from the portal wrapped themselves around him.
"Help!" Monty cried.
"Augh!" Mendoza shouted. The Tentacles then started dragging them in slowly, much slower than before, only sinking mere millimeters at a time.
"Now unless you accept my challenge, they will die." Agon said.
"Fine then." Matt said. The two charged each other with their weapons ready to strike them. "Heh… this guy's funeral." Matt thought. Right before the two were about to strike each other, Agon disappeared in a blur. "What?"
"Look out!" Heidi cried.
"Whoa!" Matt quickly back flipped over a horizontal slice and Agon's head. Matt prepared to fire a round or two in to Agon's skull when Agon jumped forward, twirled around and sent an arc of purple energy at Matt that sent him flying backwards with a cut in his torso. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Matt shouted. "Oof!" He spat out when he hit the ground. "Gah!" He cried when a purple blast of mana with a sharp tip pierced his shoulder.
"Unlike that fool Mis… I don't underestimate an opponent." Agon said emotionlessly. "And I suggest you do likewise…"
"Grrrr… fine then…" Matt raised a hand above his head. "Haste!" Matt then dashed at Agon with an incredible burst of speed. Agon quickly raised his sword and blocked an attack from Matt. Matt then jumped at him and swung his gunblade a few times before flipping over him in midair and swinging at him. Agon merely swinging his blade in defense as Matt changed his direction in mid-air and threw a few knives at him.
"Hmph." Agon deflected the knives and sent a wave of purple mana.
"Mog Axe!" Matt canceled out the attack and then dashed at him again, firing his gun at a rapid-fire pace.
"They're so fast." Heidi said in awe.
"What's disturbing is that Agon can keep up with him." Harris said. Agon flipped over Matt and then aimed a palm at Matt.
"Black tendrils." Two tendrils made from purple mana emanated from his palm and wrapped themselves around Matt's ankles.
"Whoa!" Matt's feet were pulled out from under him. "GAAAAAHHHH!!!" Next thing Matt knew, Agon's sword was embedded in his lung. Matt passed out with blood leaking from his mouth.
"You shouldn't have held back sooner." Agon said. Matt's angel ring glowed brightly, and Matt found himself alive, though severely worn out.
"Okay… here goes." Matt aimed his gunblade at Agon. "Mog Rush!" Agon jumped backwards to avoid the glowing white bullet, only for Matt to stand up and rush him even more, Agon forced on to the defensive. "Mog attack!" Matt shoved Agon backwards while preparing an attack. "Bolt burst!" Matt performed a variation of bolt shot that sent an orb of electricity flying at Agon. Agon received the force of the attack and went skidding backwards while receiving a violent shock.
"…" Agon still kept his emotionless demeanor as he looked at Matt. "That hurt." He said emotionlessly. Agon then skid his blade along the ground. "Black snake!" The wave weaved towards Matt, Matt jumped over the wave only for Agon to jump up and intercept him.
"What!"
"Hmph!" Agon slammed Matt on to the ground where the wave rammed him and sent him skidding backwards.
"Augh!" Matt slid along the ground after tumbling about before trying to get up, "Ooooogh… ah!" Agon then kicked him and forced him back on to the ground.
"No!" Heidi cried.
"Grrrrr…" Harris cringed. "This… isn't good." Harris thought as he looked at his three other clan members, their knees starting to sink in to the portal.
"Is this all?" Agon asked, almost disappointed. "Perhaps it is time you died now." Agon said as he raised his sword above Matt and brought it down.
Meanwhile…
"Ouch… did you have to be so rough." Laura moaned as she stood up next to Hunter with a rope wrapped around her waist.
"I was kind of looking for a 'thank you for pulling me away from that explosion Hunter.' But that works too." Hunter said as looked at where Ize stood.
"Hmph… don't you three see? You can't win against me." Ize said as he walked out of the crater, burnt by his own explosion.
"We'll see!" Kyle dashed at Ize and thrust his lance at him. Ize sidestepped and moved in for an attack, Kyle however kept Ize at lance-length and thus kept Ize from getting too close. Ize however was proving quite adept at avoiding Kyle's lance thrusts.
"Bad breath!" Ize inhaled and then exhaled a green gas. Kyle immediately shut his mouth and covered his nostrils so as not to inhale the gas. "Gotcha!" Ize then dashed at Kyle unexpectedly and pressed a palm against his chest. "Drain touch!" Ize began drawing health from Kyle as he kept his palm pressed against him.
"Faster!" Hunter fired a fast arrow that hit Ize in the shoulder.
"AUGH!" Ize shouted in agony. Kyle took the opportunity to jump back.
"Bangaa CRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!" Kyle hit Ize with a massive blast of sound.
"Grrrr…" Ize knelt and then leaped at Laura with both sabers drawn. Laura pressed two palms against the ground and then leaped back far enough to avoid getting hit by Ize's sabers.
"Ifrit! Titan!" Laura caused the espers to animate right next to Ize, Ifrit grabbed Ize in both of his hands and then caused his hands to go ablaze.
"Grrrrrrrrrr…" Ize felt the flames scorching him as he tried to resist with his own mana, but he wasn't expecting Titan to loom above him with a giant boulder, ready to crush him. Titan dropped the boulder on top of Ize as soon as Ifrit disappeared, and crushed him beneath it.
"Ha! There we go." Hunter said.
"Well, that wasn't so hard." Kyle said. Suddenly, the boulder fell apart in to evenly cut pieces, and Ize stood there, unharmed. "What the heck?!?"
"Did you honestly think that would work?" Ize asked.
"But how did he…" Laura started to ask. Suddenly vines burst around Laura and wrapped themselves around her. "Augh!" Ize dashed up to her and wrapped his hand underneath her throat and began strangling her. "G…gack…"
"You know why you can't beat me?" Ize asked with a sinister tone in his voice. "I can tell in your eyes, you're one of the lucky ones. One of the ones who had things come to them naturally, like you were so special." Ize hissed.
"Hands off of her!" Kyle yelled angrily as he charged at him.
"Stare!" Ize looked Kyle directly in the eyes with glowing yellow eyes and Kyle stopped cold.
"Ooooooggg…" Kyle moaned.
"Ummm… Stare… what did that do again?" Hunter wondered. "Oh snap!"
"Raaaaaaaaahhhhh!" Kyle lunged at Hunter and Hunter found himself on his toes dodging Kyle's thrusts.
"Kyle! Laura's in danger! Whoa!" Hunter yelled as he side-stepped rapid thrusts from Kyle's lance.
"But unlike you… I had to work as hard as hell to get to where I am. To get as strong as I am." Ize growled at Laura. "And my king… does he appreciate it? No he just gives the position of general to four people who had it lucky. And Marshal to that damned Agon!" Ize now shouted.
"Snap out of it Kyle!" Hunter shouted as he punched Kyle in the nose.
"Ouch! Wa… Laura!" Kyle snapped out of his trance and noticed Laura. "Oh I'll never make it. Hunter!"
"What? Whoa!" Kyle grabbed Hunter and hurled him with all his strength at Ize.
"Die!" Ize prepared to thrust his sword in to Laura's forehead.
"Here I go!" Hunter quickly found his balance in mid-air, tackled Ize, and once they landed Hunter did a hand spring off of him in to the air with his bow ready. "Sonic boom!" Hunter fired an arrow at Ize. Ize rolled out of the way but was blown away by the sonic blast.
"Gah!" Ize went sprawling before standing up. "Heh… I've still got them. I just need that guy." Ize thought while looking at Hunter.
Meanwhile…
"Geez… that General has to be crazy strong." Brently said. He, Adam, and Syack were hiding behind some rubble so as not to get in the way.
"Fire breath!" Casey inhaled and then breathed out a gigantic blast of flame.
"Black gale!" Agres twirled his poleaxe in front of him and sent a spiraling wave of purple mana at Casey. The wave met with the blast of fire and was starting to push back against the blast of fire.
"I… won't be able to keep this up. Unless…" While Casey was breathing his flames, he raised a foot and stomped it on the ground. "Earth Render!" A earthquake in a straight line traveled towards Agres and struck him head on.
"Gah!" Agres was unable to maintain his black gale attack and was also torched by Casey's blast of flame. "Grrrrr… black bolt!" Casey raised a hand above him and sent a blast of black lightning in to the air. Several more black lightning bolts focused on Casey and struck him at once.
"Argh!"
"Black tundra!" Agres crossed his arms in front of his chest and then thrust them forward, sending a wave of black icicles erupting towards Casey.
"Fire sword!" Casey created a sword out of flame and began twirling it in front of him. While he was doing that, Casey ran forward, dashing straight through the line of icicles with extreme speed, using the fire sword to create a path for him. "Yah!" Casey swung his sword at Agres, only for it to be blocked once again.
"You're starting to get annoying!" Agres said as knocked away Casey's sword and slashed at his torso, only for Casey to somersault over him. "Black blast!" Agres gathered black mana in his hand and then fired a blast of black mana at Casey from point-blank range, sending Casey flying backwards.
"ARGH!" Casey slammed in to a pile of rubble, weakly stood up and clutched his chest. "Grrrr… he truly is a strong opponent." Casey grunted. Casey regained his strength, and took his fighting stance.
Meanwhile…
CLANG
"Huh?" Matt looked up and saw Agon's sword blocked by two knightswords in a cross block formation, held by Harris, struggling desperately to hold back Agon's swords, while Agon didn't seem to be struggling the slightest. In fact, it was like he wasn't trying to overpower Harris.
"If one of the Racemasters was unable to defeat me, then what gives you the notion that you can?" Agon asked emotionlessly.
"He's right…" Harris thought. Harris looked at Matt, then at his three clanmembers trapped in the vortexes they were slowly being pulled in to. "But I have no choice." Harris went for a twin slash at Agon's stomach, but Agon jumped backward and avoided it with ease. "Hiyah!" Harris leaped at Agon with his left blade prepped to strike him and his right blade twirling behind him.
CLANG
Agon easily blocked the first slash and ducked under the follow up slash. Harris then began chaining together sword strikes in a long, lengthy, and quick combo. Agon remained on the defensive blocking each and every sword attack from Harris with ease as Harris kept pressing the attack harder and harder.
"I've… never seen clanmaster Harris go… all out like that." Mendoza grunted at he was pulled deeper and deeper in to the portal.
"Harris…" Heidi thought with worry.
"Hmph…" Agon deflected Harris' swords to the side with a simple spin and then thrusting his palm at Harris, sending Harris skidding backwards with violent force.
"Augh!" Harris barely regained his balance and barely saw Agon dashing for him. "Saint cross!" Harris released a ring of holy energy around him, but Agon merely ran through it and stabbed Harris in the shoulder with his sword. "AUGH!" Harris cried as the blade protruded out the back of Harris' shoulder. "RAH!" Harris ignored the searing pain and swung his sword at Agon, who easily avoided it as he pulled his sword out of Harris' shoulder. "Augh!"
"Too pitiful." Agon said, he then did a quick horizontal slash across Harris' stomach, leaving a fairly deep, but not fatal, cut in Harris' stomach.
"AUGH!" Harris buckled over in pain.
"Harris, in all the time I've known him… I've never seen him at his enemies' feet like this." Heidi thought amazed.
"It is not that you are weak, you clearly have skill. Your attacks were not wild and unfocused swings of a sword, they were intended, meant for a blow." Agon said as he turned his back to Harris and walked a few steps away. "However, I am simply stronger than you are. You and I… are in different leagues." Agon said.
"Grrrrrrr… nurse…" Harris healed his wounds partially so that they didn't pain him so much. With that strength, he stood up and grabbed one of his swords. "HOLY BLADE!!!" Harris leaped at Agon with his glowing white blades. Agon raised his sword in defense, and met Harris blade. There was a blinding flash of white light, it emanated across the area, blinding Matt, Heidi, Monty, Mendoza, and Gilbert as it radiated. When the light died down, Agon stood where he was, unfazed and still holding his sword exactly as he had when Harris struck his sword.
"Is this all?" Agon asked emotionlessly. He pulled his sword back and then thrust it through Harris' heart.
"AAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!" Harris cried in pain. Agon drew his sword out and let Harris hit the ground. Harris' angel ring glowed and took care of the lethal injuries. "Ooooogggg…" Harris tried to stand, but Agon kicked Harris and sent him sprawling backward.
Meanwhile…
Ize was sword fighting with Laura and Kyle at once, fending off both of them with his sabers with incredible skill. Occasionally Hunter would fire arrows, but Ize would merely deflect them with a twirl of his swords. Kyle thrust his lance forward, but Ize backflipped over top of him, placed his hand on Kyle's head and then sprang off of it on to the ground.
"Hm?" Ize turned and saw Laura preparing to thrust her rapier. Ize jumped away and towards Kyle, dodging both Laura and Hunter's arrows. Ize took a swing at Kyle, who simply jumped above him and breathed out a lightning blast at Ize. Ize jumped back and then jumped up to avoid a blizzara spell from Laura. "Magic Hammer!" Ize pointed a finger at Laura, and a floating metal hammer appeared above her.
"Huh?" Laura was suddenly struck in the head by the hammer, while she wasn't physically hurt she did notice something. "Huh? My mana… he damaged my mana."
"Take this!" Kyle thrust his lance forward at the landing Ize, but to his shock, Ize landed on the tip of Kyle's lance with no problem.
"This is what my training has earned me." Ize said. He quickly landed on solid ground and drew a fist back. "Goblin punch!" Ize then threw a fist at Kyle and nailed him in the chest.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!" Kyle received an insanely strong punch that sent him flying backwards with violent force.
"Metal jujutsu! Metal veil!" Ize created a large cloud of golden powder around Laura and Hunter.
"Crud!" Hunter cursed.
"Agh!" Laura felt a sword slash her waist before she buckled over, and then hunter felt a hand on his chest.
"What?"
"Got it!" Ize kicked Hunter in the face and then got some distance between him and Hunter.
"Urgh… this… isn't over." Kyle said as he stood up.
"Wrong, it is over." Ize said sinisterly. "I've analyzed your strength levels. And now I'm prepared to use this spell." Ize said. "Shadowflare!"
"What?" Hunter found darkness covering him until. "AAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!"
"AAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUGGGHHHH!!!" Kyle shouted.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Laura cried. Darkness was covering all three of them with searing pain.
"And I conquer, over those who have natural talent." Ize said as all three of them fell to the ground dead. "I had best get… WHOA!!!" Ize jumped backwards as the area he was standing in exploded with incredible force. "Who did… no… the reports said you wouldn't be here…" Ize said in shock.
"Then get better intelligence." Said a figure. "Full-life." The figure cast full life on all three of our heroes.
"Huh? Hey you're…"
"Never mind that, we've got him to deal with." The figure said. "Now, do you think you can match me?"
"Grrrr…" Ize growled, looking at the three behind him. "I've already used shadowflare once, I'd have to analyze them again. And then HIM? I won't last." Ize cringed for a moment, and then took a deep breath. "Damn you…"
"Hm?"
"Damn you all and your so called natural talent!!!" Ize shouted as he cast metal veil around him. When the cloud cleared, Ize was nowhere to be seen.
"Where did he…" Laura started to ask.
"Never mind that. We have more pressing matters." The figure said.
Meanwhile…
Agres and Casey continued to clash weapons together with incredible ferocity. Casey shoved Agres backwards and then, "Air render!" Casey thrust his sword forward instead of throwing his fist and thus added a sharp point to the attack that struck Agres near the neck.
"AUGH!" Agres shouted in pain. "Grrrrrr… hm?"
"Hah!" Casey then delivered a horizontal slash meant to decapitate the General. Agres leaped back but jumped high enough as he did so and received a cut in the waist.
"ARGH!!!" Agres cried.
"Well done Master Casey." Adam said with a smile.
"You saw that?" Brently asked.
"I heard it." Adam said.
"Grrrrrrrrr… damn you!" Agres shouted at Casey.
"You were holding back weren't you?" Casey asked.
"If I hadn't, I would have destroyed you!" Agres shouted.
"Then therein lies your mistake." Casey said.
"Rah!" Agres thrust his weapon forward and to Casey's surprise, the weapon extended in length and stabbed in to Casey's stomach.
"GAH!" Casey shouted.
"Ha ha ha ha… hm? WHOA!" Agres narrowly dodged a large meteor that nearly crushed him. "What! What are you doing here?" Agres asked.
"Helping old friends." The figure from earlier said.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise." Casey said as he stood up.
"Grrrrrrrrrrrrr… I owe you for this wound." Agres hissed as Casey before sinking in to the ground in to a black puddle of ooze.
"Come! The others are in grave danger." The figure said.
Meanwhile…
Agon stood over Harris' battered body, Harris breathing heavily and down on his back. Agon held the tip of his sword against Harris' throat. "You challenged me, even knowing that I bested one of the Racemasters, what would drive you to do such foolishness?" Agon asked Harris.
"Grrrrr…" Harris groaned as he looked at Agon. "If only… if only I… no… it's no use now."
"It is now time to die." Agon said. Agon suddenly twirled his sword at his side and deflected several arrows made from mana. "First I defeated the Racemaster and then this paladin. Challenging me now would be even more foolishness correct? So why?" Agon asked Heidi without even turning to look at her.
"Because…" Heidi stood there with her bow aimed at Agon. "I won't let you hurt those that are close to me." Heidi said bravely. "If you lay another finger on him, I'll kill you!" Heidi threatened.
"Your courage is to commended." Agon said emotionlessly. "Now your life, is forfeit."
"Maybe not!"
"Hm?" Agon jumped back quickly and avoided several bullets. "Perhaps I should have killed you first." Agon said as he looked at Matt, who looked as though he hadn't even battled yet.
"My cuisine ability may take time to prepare, but it works like a charm." Matt said. "Now bring it on!" Matt shouted. He and Agon rushed at each other and clashed swords. The two began an intense sword fight with each other, each taking deliberate swings meant to kill and neither one seeming to gain the edge, only scratching their opponent. Agon then hit Matt with a blast of black mana and sent him sprawling backwards.
"Hmph." Agon prepared his sword, waiting for Matt to make his move.
"Grrr… even going full strength, I'm not sure I can beat this guy. Fighting him is just like…"
"You won't fight alone Matt." Casey said as he came from behind some rubble.
"As strong as this one is, I don't think any of us should take him alone."
"Wait is that… Cole!" Heidi gasped as Cole came up behind her.
"A… little help here…" Monty grunted. He and the other two now only had their heads above the portals.
"Hmph." Cole cast magic circles around all three portals. Monty, Mendoza, and Gilbert floated out of the portals, and then the portals shrunk out of existence.
"Thank you." Gilbert sighed in relief.
"So then. Can you take on three of us young warrior?" Casey asked Agon.
"No." Agon said simply. "It matters not, for my question has been answered." Agon said.
"Hm?" Everyone present seemed a touch confused.
"My question has been answered, and none of you are the opponent I'm searching for." Agon said before sinking in to the ground in a black puddle. His eyes seemed to have a touch of disappointment in them as he vanished.
"What does he mean by that?" Matt asked.
"Harris!" Heidi ran over to Harris to check on him.
"Oh drat I nearly forgot." Matt said as he ran over towards Harris. Nearly everyone gathered around Harris.
"Stand back." Cole said as the others made room for him. "Curaga!" Harris was enveloped in a white aura before all of his wounds disappeared. "Taking someone like him on alone. What were you thinking?" Cole asked.
"…" Harris sighed as he sat up, Heidi supporting him just to be safe. "I'm sorry." Harris said.
"Cole, what made you change your mind?" Casey asked.
"I sensed evil approaching you. Powerful evil, and in the end I decided to come to your aid." Cole said.
"And the school?" Matt asked.
"Kate has been left in charge of it." Cole said. "But I must say, this is disturbing. The fact that two of these black soldiers were just as strong as we are." Cole said.
"No, Agon was stronger. I don't think I could have beaten him alone." Matt said. "His techniques were similar to those of that guy I fought at the school."
"I'm sorry." Heidi said.
"Hm? For what?" Casey asked.
"I never got around to telling you something important." Heidi said.
"Like what?" Hunter asked.
"Well…" Heidi started, hesitant.
"There's no use in hiding it from them. They may have already figured it out." Harris told Heidi.
"Hiding what?" Laura asked.
"In Baguba, I battled someone named General Mali, I was outmatched, and she was… just as strong as you." Heidi said to the Racemasters.
"Why didn't you tell us!?!" Syack shouted.
"I hid it as well." Harris said.
"What for?" Casey asked.
"We felt that we should only disclose this to you two. And you." Harris said to the Racemasters. "After all, it wouldn't have done any good causing the rest of you to worry." Harris said.
"Well, we now know one thing." Cole said.
"What is it?" Brently asked.
"The Generals, and that Marshal, they are as strong as we are." Cole said.
"That's just great…" Hunter said sarcastically.
"Shut up weakling." Laura said.
"Gah!"
"So… Master Cole, can we count on your help?" Adam asked.
"Yes." Cole said. "For now, we need to rest." Cole said.
Later that night…
Nearly everyone was asleep, even Brently slept, not even attempting to escape tonight. The Racemasters were off by themselves, talking about their next move. And Harris was off by himself, separated from everyone, meditating by himself. "Hmmm… just focus Harris… just let it all go. Let go of it…" Harris thought to himself as he meditated. Heidi then walked up behind him with a sad look in her eyes.
"Harris…" Heidi started.
"Hm? Did you need something Heidi?" Harris asked.
"Harris…" Heidi seemed to be somewhat choked up, she swallowed and then spoke. "Do you trust me?"
"Heidi… you know I trust you." Harris said. "Do you trust me?"
"Harris… I do trust you. How could I not?" Heidi asked. "After what you did for me… even after… even after…"
"Even after that night eight years ago… when you were hired to kill me." Harris said. There was an uneasy pause for a moment, but then Heidi continued.
"Even after that, when I was at your mercy, you still helped me. Someone who tried to take your life." Heidi said, her eyes starting to water as it came out a little faster. "Then you took me under your wing, for eight years I trained under you. I trusted you since that day, and I was never happier."
"Heidi…" Harris started, as if sensing something.
"… and as time went on you grew to be happier as well. I could tell it since you were growing easier with my company. I felt trusted by you."
"And I do trust you." Harris said.
"But now… lately as worried as you've been as the adventure went on, and how much you seem to be hiding, I feel as though you can't even trust me with your troubles. That you don't feel as though I'd help you."
"Heidi… what are you…"
"Harris, you can't even tell me your secret." Heidi said, now suppressing anger as her tears started to leak from her eyes.
"…" Harris stood up and looked at her.
"You're the human Racemaster aren't you!" Heidi said as she pointed a finger at Harris.
"Heidi, what are you saying?" Harris asked.
"You never sleep, and you don't seem to ever grow tired. At times you display uncanny knowledge, and unusual characteristics in combat! And what about your mana? The way you seem to be suppressing it…" Heidi started.
"Heidi…"
"Furthermore, although they act as if they don't. Sometimes it feels as though the other Racemasters know you!" Heidi nearly shouted.
"Heidi I am not the human Racemaster." Harris said.
"Then show me!" Heidi demanded.
"How?"
"Your left hand. Show it to me!" Heidi said.
"Heidi, that's absurd." Harris said.
"Don't you trust me?"
"I do trust you."
"Then why won't you show me your left hand?!" Heidi asked forcefully.
"Don't you trust me?" Harris asked almost angrily.
"I do trust you! It's you who isn't trusting me to just show me your left hand!" Heidi said, getting louder.
"If you trust me then you wouldn't be demanding to see what's under these bandages!" Harris shouted.
"Why can't you just show me!!!" Heidi screamed as she grabbed Harris' left hand. Harris yanked his hand back, as the bandages unraveled. Heidi held on to the bandages, as the last of them unwrapped themselves from Harris' left arm.
"…" Harris remained silent.
"Harris…" Heidi's eyes were fixed on Harris' left hand. "You…"
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What had Heidi discovered? Find out next chapter.