Sever All Ties
Chapter Forty Three: Ferocity
Disclaimer: I don't own Radiata Stories or any of the characters in the game; they are the property of the brilliant minds at Square Enix.
Authors Note(s): Words in '…' indicate a thought. Words in "…" indicate spoken words. This story will proceed based on the assumption that Jack has joined Ridley on the path of the non-human. This path would inevitably lead him to face his former friends and allies in combat. It is these fights I will illustrate in this story. Some creative liberties will be taken regarding who they face (i.e. Jack will face opponents in this fic that you don't get to face in the game). I hope you enjoy.
There was no way for Jack to get away from the magical bolt Aphelion had fired at him. He was struck as he tried to dive out of the way, and thrown backward. The attack that struck him seemed to simultaneously electrocute him and to sap his strength from him. The dragon roared in triumph at the sight of his opponent recoiling. When Jack finally came to a stop, he tried to force himself to get up. Aphelion was not closing the distance, and this puzzled the former knight. The ground beneath him began to change color and get hot, alerting Jack to his opponent's newest tactic. He dove away just as a fiery column of magical energy exploded from beneath him. Running toward the dragon, more of the columns erupted all around him, preventing a direct attack.
'What do I do,' Jack wondered to himself. 'His magic is preventing me from getting close, and I can't attack effectively even if I do get close. Think! I can't afford to get hit with another of one those magical attacks, so I guess I'm just going to have to try to get close and see what happens.'
Aphelion's offensive had grown even more intricate. One of his rings of lightning had expanded and forced Jack to run toward the columns of energy. The young warrior's agility helped him to avoid the columns all around him, and he kept pushing toward the dragon. Just when it seemed that he would get through, Aphelion began firing magical shots directly at him once more. Jack sprang into the air to avoid this shot, and rolled forward as soon as he landed to avoid an energy column. Coming to his feet, he was just outside of striking range. Seizing the opportunity, he charged forward and raised the sword that he still doubted. The Falvern's dull edge clashed with Aphelion's dark blade, and Jack was immediately overpowered. As he stumbled back, the dragon struck him with a clawed hand and sent him reeling once more. The Silver Dragon's triumphant laughter rang in the swordsman's ears as he fell to the ground.
A noble effort, but as futile as I predicted," Aphelion gloated. Lying on the ground a dozen paces away, Jack was clutching a fresh wound on his chest and fighting fatigue.
Though the ground beneath him was solid, Jack could still see the dome beneath him. Ridley, Ganz, and Gil were all watching intently and with worry written on their faces. The young girl was leaning on her former captain for support, and both looked drained. Even from a distance, Jack could clearly see that one of Gil's wings was injured and preventing him from flying. All three wore looks of concern for their friend, and seemed to be willing him to rise to his feet. Jack's body ached with the effort it took to lift his body off of the ground. The dragon's magic had drained the energy from Jack's already exhausted body, and the wounds on his chest were evident in the crimson stains that now colored his armor. Shaking off the fatigue and injuries, he forced himself to stand and face his opponent. Even though it had failed him, he still kept a firm grip on the Falvern as he stared down the dragon.
"You still refuse to accept defeat," asked Aphelion.
"I will not let you win," Jack replied, gritting his teeth with determination. "No matter what happens, I will not let you have Ridley. Protecting her gives me strength, and I will never doubt myself again!"
When Jack finished speaking, a strange sensation washed over him. His whole body became numb, and he fell back to his knees. The feeling seemed to slowly creep through his body, starting with his extremities and inching its way to his chest. The swordsman let out an exasperated moan, unsure of what was happening to him. The sensation didn't seem to be an attack from the silver dragon, but he was unsure what to make of it. The uncertainty lasted only a moment however, as the sword he held provided the answer. The Falvern's narrow blade was glowing in his hands, radiating with heat. The blade that Jack had thought too small suddenly burst forth and was surrounded with flames. Black flames extending from the blade transitioned to a deep purple as Jack held onto the legendary sword. It was larger, but the Falvern bore an uncanny resemblance to Elwen's Avcoor. Jack rose to his feet, trying to adjust to the new feeling inside his body. When he met the dragon's gaze, the young warrior had look of great intensity.
"I will not lose," Jack shouted. His eyes flashed as he took an offensive stance and flourished his new weapon.
"You aren't strong enough to use that sword, boy; it will destroy you," Aphelion countered. "No matter, I will destroy you before the Falvern can."
The dragon fired one his magical bolts as soon as he finished speaking. The shot flew straight at Jack, but the former knight refused to budge. Instead, he swung the sword. The Falvern sliced Aphelion's projectile in two, and Jack was unharmed. After disrupting the dragon's attack, he charged forward to counter. When the young warrior got into range, he prepared to attack. Aphelion's sword met Jack's, and the two were locked in a momentary stalemate. Neither gave ground, each trying to force the other away. With an emotional shout, Jack parried the dragon's blade and countered with a slash that cut into the dragon's left arm. Aphelion reeled in pain at the Falvern's touch, and Jack pressed the advantage. Jumping into the air, his vertical slash connected with the dragon's armor, finding its way through his defenses and striking flesh. Jack tried to continue his attack, but the dragon's magic columns impeded his progress and stalled his offensive.
The uncomfortable numbness continued to afflict him, but Jack was growing used to the apparent side effect of using the Falvern. He was unsure what to make of Aphelion's words about the sword, but it was the only weapon available to him. With the lesson of the Hatred Edge fresh in his mind, Jack was wary of the sword and its potential to corrupt him. His new sword lacked the maliciousness of the Agrypa blade that had taught Jack so much; in fact, the Falvern seemed devoid of any emotion at all. In addition, the sword seemed to make Jack stronger. He felt stronger and faster with the Falvern in his hands; as if he could defeat the silver dragon. That thought made him excited; he was anxious to cut the dragon down and be the victor. The sword would make his desire to protect Ridley a reality.
Tightening his grip, Jack rushed forward to attack again. Aphelion's sword moved to strike vertically as Jack approached. The former knight slowed his pace just outside of the dragon's range, and his sword struck the ground. Acting quickly, Jack stepped up and onto Aphelion's weapon. The single step up propelled him into the air and gave him another opportunity to strike across the dragon's chest. Aphelion roared in pain and frustration as Jack managed to get clear of his counterattack. Deftly avoiding a flurry of magical attacks, the emboldened warrior began to look for his next opportunity to strike. His opponent looked anxious and appeared to be weakening, but Jack had already learned in this battle not to underestimate the silver dragon.
Both combatants were wounded and fatigued, their strength fading quickly. It was their wills that kept them on their feet, maintaining the vicious pace of the battle. Jack was pleased with the Falvern, which was impressively lightweight for its size. The flaming blade was virtually weightless, which allowed him to move and strike quicker and with more precision. Equally important, it gave him the ability to counter some of Aphelion's magical assault. Holding the sword in both hands, he wordlessly prepared for his next attack. The dragon saw this and raised his sword above his head. Aphelion's attacks continued to grow more complex, a sign of his great strength, but also of his growing frustration. With wary eyes, Jack watched the attack form and prepared to find an opening. Adrenaline pumping, he sensed his chance.
The attack began with a ring of lightning, which Jack thought would be easy to avoid. However, as the former knight prepared to rush past the first ring, he saw a second one coming toward him as well. The young warrior quickly situated himself in the gap between the two rings. Only an instant passed in this safe haven before the dragon's magical columns began to form beneath him. Scrambling to get away from these, Jack tried to move to his right. Here, he was met by the dragon's projectile attacks. Dodging and deflecting these attacks with the Falvern, Jack kept his eyes on Aphelion. He was trying to get to his opponent, to take back the offensive. The pattern of staggered attacks continued to grow more complex, forcing Jack to be cautious and delaying his progress. When he finally came within striking distance, the dragon's magic stopped. As Jack approached, Aphelion took a defensive stance, again using his wings to shield himself from the swordsman's strike. The Falvern was not deterred by this defense, and Jack's thrust penetrated the dragon's wing and struck him. The dragon's cry of anguish rang out again, but Jack wasn't quick enough to avoid the counterattack. Though his wings had provided an imperfect defense, they had served to hide Aphelion long enough to mask the attack he was preparing. As he unfolded his wings, the dragon struck his assailant. The claws of his left hand were glowing the amethyst color of his magical attacks when he struck the young warrior who opposed him.
Jack was thrown to the ground, clutching his chest and shouting in agony. An overwhelming pain suddenly penetrated the sensation of numbness that had overtaken him as he held the Falvern. Though he had managed to retain his grip on the sword, Jack was in no position to counterattack. He quickly forced himself to a kneeling position and held the sword before him to deflect Aphelion's magical bolts. Without a moment to spare, he scrambled away from the columns that rose from beneath him. The dragon sensed his chance to end the fight, and was throwing everything he had at his opponent. It was all Jack could do to avoid these attacks, unable to get close enough to counter.
Jack's friends watched intently from the dome, while the battle continued to rage in the sky. Ganz Rothschild's face was pale, and he wore a troubled look. Watching the battle was nerve wracking, and he felt sick to his stomach. He had just watched his father die to protect him, and feared that he would now watch his dear friend share the same fate. Ganz had faith in Jack, but the battle seemed to be testing his friend's limits. He feared what would happen if Jack was overcome. If that happened, the dragon would return for them. The former knight captain understood the reality of what that situation would entail. His father and his friend were willing to risk their lives protecting others, and he would do the same. Physically and mentally wounded, Ganz was still capable of fighting. Unconsciously tightening his grip on the broadsword in his right hand, he resolved to protect the girl that the two men closest to him fought to protect.
Ridley stood at Ganz's left side, and his arm was wrapped around her. Though she was still physically weak, the emotional support of Ganz was what she needed. Her facial expressions fluctuated from relief to worry as the battle went back and forth. Watching Jack fight the silver dragon for her was almost unbearable. The longer the battle dragged on, the more it seemed as though a single strike would decide the winner. She was still torn emotionally by the disrupted Changeover and didn't know what it meant for the Order of Tottaus, but that issue was secondary to her worry for Jack. More important than anything else, she wanted Jack to triumph over Aphelion. If he could somehow manage to defeat the world's guardian and come back to her, then surely everything else would be all right. All that mattered was that she and Jack were together.
Gil's face was unreadable as he watched the two warriors clash over and over. Though he was a light elf and supposed to support the Changeover, Gil had come with Jack Russell to oppose it. It wasn't just the admiration that he had for Jack, but it was the hope he had been given by watching the humans who aided the non-human cause. Jack, Ridley, Ganz, and Gawain had all been willing to fight for the non-humans because they saw the things in Radiata that needed changing, and Gil took solace in that. The Changeover had never been disrupted in the history of the world, so he did not know what would happen if Jack was successful, but Gil believed in his friend. However, Jack was wounded and on the defensive. He needed some help if he were to be victorious. Gil was still wounded and unable to fly, but he could help.
"Jack needs help," Gil's words startled Ridley and Ganz, and they turned to watch as the light elf raised both hands and prepared an attack using the little bit of magic he had left.
Jack was growing more frustrated with every missed opportunity. Aphelion's intensity had increased, and his constant assault was preventing the former knight from getting a chance to counterattack. It was taking all of his strength and effort to keep the dragon's sword at bay and avoid his magical attacks. He was trying to keep his emotions in check, but it was difficult to do so with the stakes so high and an opponent so tough. Though he seemed to be in a better position, the silver dragon was no less frustrated. Aphelion had never been challenged in this manner, and was enraged at his inability to finish the young warrior in front of him. Raw emotion was written on both of their faces as they continued to clash over and over.
Sword met sword, and both combatants failed to hit their target. The stalemate continued as Aphelion pushed Jack backward and attempted to finish him with magic. The dragon shouted in rage as the young human skillfully evaded his attacks and came within striking distance yet again. The combatants locked swords and eyes, each trying force the other to give ground. Aphelion's cerulean eyes were cold and sharp, ready to slice through Jack like a blade. Jack's brown eyes had an intense glow that would have overtaken a weaker opponent in an instant. Finally, Jack pushed the dragon's blade aside. The young warrior shouted as he found an opening and thrust his sword. Before the Falvern could find its mark, Jack was struck in the ribcage and knocked backward. When his sword was turned aside, Aphelion had turned his body and struck Jack with his tail before the swordsman's blade could connect. Scrambling to his feet, Jack immediately faced a new offensive from the dragon.
Aphelion was relentless in his assault. He continued to launch wave after wave of magical attacks at the warrior in front of him. It was taking every ounce of Jack's strength and skill to avoid being struck. While the swordsman was on the defensive, the dragon was slowly closing the distance between them and preparing a finishing blow. Jack needed just a little bit of space and a moment to collect himself for his strength to return, but Aphelion would not allow him even an instant to recover. Cutting through one of the magical bolts, he scrambled backward to avoid the lightning strike that followed. While he was off-balance, another barrage of projectiles came at him. The Falvern moved quickly and deflected the first two, but the third one struck Jack's left shoulder and knocked him to the ground. The former knight struggled to rise, leaning on his sword for support. Aphelion loomed over him with his sword raised to strike.
"Now you will die, Jack Russell," the dragon shouted triumphantly. His sword was glowing with magical energy. Jack's breath caught in his throat as he stared at his death.
Vegeta26: So, here's another update. What can I say, my muse is speaking to me again. I'm having a lot of fun with this fight, and the ending is going to be something special. It's looking more and more like there will be a continuation, the question now is whether or not it should just add more chapters to this story or be its own separate work. Any input is appreciated here. As always, thanks for reading, and I would love to hear from you.
Komuro: At this point, I'm planning to do a continuation of the story past the game's ending. It will follow from the regular ending, and be completely original. It will either continue under this title or be a separate story, I haven't decided yet.
Ridley-Russell: I never gave up on this story, I just didn't have as much time for it. I've got a bit of a spark now, so I'm running with it. Hope the Aphelion fight continues to live up to the hype.
aguyuno: Thanks, as always, for the comments; I like adding my own little twists and details to the story. Chapter 37 was a little bit a transition, so I suppose it did feel a little awkward. Sorry to have saved you from one cliffhanger only to deliver you another, but I really enjoy writing cliffhanger endings.
kinetic-cataclysm: I had a little time to think over the Aphelion fight, so I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it; glad you like it. I definitely wanted to include Ridley in the final fight, so I tried to get her involved in a meaningful way by recognizing her presence and having her contribute.
nanohaxfate: Chapter 43 is up in a little more timely fashion; I didn't think anyone would really mind.
Passionate-melody: Glad to see you're back as well. The intensity continues to grow, and that means a lot for everyone, especially Jack and Ridley. I imagine the continuation will occur.