Chapter Fifty: End of a Thought
A/N: This chapter also has a musical theme, "End of a Thought" from Tales of Symphonia. I do not claim ownership to that song or intend to profit from it in any way. It is, once again, just a bit of omake.
"I'm not gonna hold back this time," Oryx said, gripping his wrist with his spare hand.
"I know... I won't either," I said, pointing Hope at him.
Once more, a sharp wind blew past us.
We mirrored moves, dashing to strike each other. After striking each others' blades, we kept running, then turned around. Oryx was already running at me; no doubt his speed had been increased after shedding that heavy armor.
We moved in, performing breakneck strikes and parries, before jumping back. I charged at him, struck his shins, then blocked an incoming vertical slice. I swept his feet off the ground, then got to my feet as Oryx did the same.
After getting a bit of distance, we began to clash our blades together, crescendoing the force each time. After about a dozen strokes and massive force, we backed off, then charged at each other, attacking in flurries of breakneck speed. I managed to narrowly dodge his last blow, then send him skidding across the bridge. Oryx used his spare hand to slow down, then recovered and charged at me.
I narrowly dodged the strike, then struck back; however, this blow was blocked. I pulled back, then released a wave of light energy along with a stroke. Oryx met the wave and blocked it with his hand.
"I also remember... over the years... I've gained some ability... to control aura," Oryx said. "I'm not as good as my real self, but good enough your energy moves are useless."
"Oh, yeah?!" I shouted, dashing forward and swinging more energy waves at him. He didn't even raise his hand, and the energy waves disippated. I swung, but he countered the blow, sending me skidding back; I recovered quickly and dashed at him as he did the same. We attacked and parried each others' blows for a mintue or two, then locked into a contest of strength.
After a minute, I pushed him back, then attacked Oryx's head. He took the blow, but seemed unhurt. He countered with a knee to the stomach, then punched me and sent me flying. I landed, then charged forward again, narrowly dodging three incoming strokes.
I struck at Oryx again, but was pushed back with a sonic screech.
I see... he controls sound.
I dashed forward, then struck at Oryx again, clashing blades once more. I knocked his to the ground, then struck him in the side before he could summon his Keyblade back. He blocked the second stroke, then pushed me back with sound. He charged at me, but I blocked the blow, then forced his blade to the ground.
Oryx dashed back, summoning another spiraling sphere, then threw it at me. I knocked it aside, then looked up just in time to block another blow. I knelt down, pushed by Oryx's shear force, then forced it up in a burst of energy, sending out a light energy wave as well. Oryx stumbled back.
"I see... Hope is stronger than I thought," he said, gasping for breath.
"Stronger... than you realized..." I muttered, breathing heavily.
I straightened out, then branished Hope.
This is only a weapon. Hope... real hope... is our strongest ally.
I dashed at Oryx again, and once more we clashed with ridiculous amounts of strength. After about two dozen clashes, I empowered Hope with light waves, then began to push Oryx back. He skidded, then regained his footing, charging at me.
I knocked him aside, shooting waves of light, and pinned his sword to the ground. He summoned it... his Keyblade... and blocked a stroke of mine.
We clashed again, putting the limits of our strength into the clash, and in the end, I was able to force him back. Oryx looked down, then sheathed his sword.
"No more games," he said. "I will take down anyone who tries to deny me of my purpose!"
Oryx slowly placed his hand on his sword hilt, then...
disappeared.
"What? Where'd he go?" I asked.
SONIC ARTES!!!
Sonic screeches rang around me. I instintively put up my Keyblade to block the strokes, and though I was successful for a few hits, eventually I wasn't able to keep up. I took a good many hits, staggered, bleeding, but didn't fall.
Oryx reappeared, exhausted as well.
"Why...? Why... won't you... give up?" he panted.
"I'm protecting... that which I care... about..." I muttered, breathing heavily. "To protect... those dear to me... I have to defeat you... and help Roy... become complete."
"Those... dear to you..." Oryx muttered.
He sheathed his sword.
"I see... your desire to protect those... dear to you is why..." he muttered.
"Huh?" I asked.
"I will... go to see him..." Oryx said. "My other self..."
Oryx turned around, opening a dark corridor, which he entered.
"I guess I am... strong enough..." I muttered.