Rebirth

Chapter 8: Chosen One

Igohl was close by; even Lang began to sense him. It wasn't until Lang made it to a clearing did he finally find him along with Dein.

"Igohl! Stand away from him," Lang called out urgently.

"It's you!" Dein said angrily, "Always trying to save the day; I'm tired of you always saving people!"

"Dein, this isn't the time. Stand clear."

"No! This time, I won't be looked over. I finally know the secret to all that power of yours."

"Dein, what are you—

"Let me make this simple for you, Star Shaper," Igohl began as he glided forth, "I will once again begin my quest and this time it will be with this boy. Such a strong name—Dein possesses the qualities that Avalon took so long to develop. He is perfect."

"You can't do this! How do you even exist? Avalon is long dead."

"Avalon is quite alive and so I am too. Yet I find that he can no longer serve my purposes."

"What do you mean? You can't simply leave him."

"I can."

"He's gonna' make me powerful, Lang," Dein said pretentiously, "Of course I knew you'd somehow try to stop me, but it's too late. Show me your origin, Lang. Show me what you won't show the others, you selfish bastard!"

Galea appeared on his own and Dein stepped back in surprise—he had not expected Galea to be just as imposing as Igohl. Galea and Igohl glared at one another in contempt.

"Igohl, you said that I would be the most—

"Silence, Dein, you are the most powerful. Galea will always be second rate to me. Don't let his appearance fool you."

Lang unsheathed his Judgment Day. "I'm sorry, Dein, but I must stop you here. You don't know what you're getting into."

"You want the power all to yourself," Dein accused.

"No, I only want to save you."

Dein unsheathed his blade as well, "I've been waiting for this day, Lang. I trained so hard. Years before you were born, I was a member of the Vigilance Corps. The Captain wanted me to take his place—I know he did. But then he finds you, a little boy abandoned in these very woods and he begins to forget all about me, about everything I was worth to him. And you excelled so well under his training. All the time, I watched. You stole his love from me and each day I'm reminded of that. They call you Captain now—you're nothing, Lang. you don't belong. Once and for all, I'll show the world how weak you really are!"

Dein lunged at Lang with his sword ardently, but Lang easily parried him. Dein's sword swung wildly at Lang until Lang successfully shoved the other to the ground.

"You need to calm yourself," Lang instructed.

"Shut-up, I don't take orders form you anymore."

Dein leapt to his feet and began hacking at Lang. Each blow was parried expertly, however. Then Lang attacked with one short quick stroke, knocking Dein's sword to the ground.

"Bravo, Star Shaper. You have only proven simply that Dein may need more training, but I will take care of that," Igohl said.

Dein angrily lifted his sword off the ground, "I can take him."

"Stand down, Dein. I'll take it from here," Igohl said.

"No, I can take him!"

"I said stand down."

Dein look at the other angrily.

"Do you want to become powerful, Dein?"

"Yes I do."

"Then follow my orders. Do you understand?"

"Alright, Igohl," Dein replied vehemently.

Galea already stood in front of Lang protectively. A mortal would have no chance fighting against an elemental spirit.

"I'll defeat both of you," Igohl declared.

Igohl's claws struck out but Galea deflected it. Fire began to form in Galea's fist and he sent it forth forcefully only to find Igohl's claws sunken into his chest. Galea pulled back quickly and sent forth another flaming fist. Yet this was dodged again.

Lang watched as the spirits soared into the sky circling each other. Flashes of light erupted every few minutes as attacks hit their marks. Their translucent bodies moved lithely in the air. Truly it was a spectacle to see.

But Lang felt Galea's strength waning. Galea was tossed back quite a few yards before he caught himself, but he was bombarded immediately as Igohl rammed his entire body into Galea's. Lang cried out as he felt Galea's strength drop dramatically and then Lang's origin disappeared from sight in utter defeat. Galea was too weak now to even maintain visibility. Lang felt the other return to him.

"Galea, it's alright. I know you did your best," Lang said in a reassuring tone.

Igohl descended from the sky coming to a halt when he faced Lang.

"And now, I'm left with the host. You have become so much more powerful since I last saw you. You've surpassed even Avalon when he still possessed an origin. I almost feel guilty for what I'm about to do.

"Then don't do it," Lang suggested.

"I must for you mean to stop me. You've always been a worthy obstacle, but even now I can tell that you are not in full shape. What ails you?"

Lang had no answer for the origin. Besides, he didn't think he was suffering from some kind of ailment only perhaps a lack of sleep.

"It doesn't matter in any case. I'll soon end your misery."

Lang couldn't block Igohl's attack so he simply stood still in resignation. Igohl's claws pierced through Lang's chest and ripped itself back out again. Though there was no blood or wound to indicate injury, Lang dropped to his knees and then fell forward with closed eyes.

"It is done. If it were up to me, I would have killed you in the exactly same manner before so you would not have ruined my plans. But Avalon was soft. Even when I taught him to be ruthless, he couldn't bear taking the life of another fellow Mystic especially when they're defenseless."

Igohl turned quickly when he felt Dein's strength running dangerously low. Igohl glided over to Dein who was now kneeling.

"What did you do to me? Why do I feel so weak?" Dein complained.

"I have melded with your spirit, Dein. I think I've expended too much energy at one time. Your body isn't used to that. It might take some time, but you'll soon be able to withstand it—like Lang."

"A…alright," Dein said weakly, "Let's just go. Lang is dead, right?"

"It isn't really a question."