Adam's Way
Chapter 2
The battle raged on, both fighters moving away from the city area and into the woods nearby. Skeletor was becoming tired of fighting there was a familiar way about Prince Adam that had him thinking when he could. Skeletor decided he would end this battle with magic and started throwing fireballs at Adam. When Adam couldn't jump clear of the fireball he would block it with his sword. "Greyskull's sword, you're using He-Man's sword." Skeletor called out.
"You finally figured that out Bonebrain." Adam said knowing it would not be long before Skeletor figured out his secret. Adam kicked and slammed into Skeletor, knocking him down, giving him time to catch his breath. "All these years we have fought, today you have gone too far. Trying to take a life is a sacred thing and you must be stopped." Adam said. A fireball flew by as Adam dodged it.
Duncan followed the prince and Skeletor into the woods, the guardsman keeping a close watch about them. Trees were falling where Skeletor's fireballs landed. It was becoming more and more hazardous to follow but Duncan could hear the guardsmen talking about how their prince is fighting Skeletor. Duncan noticed how the trees were thicker and they were loosing the advantage of light. The battle seemed farther away each time he moved closer.
Adam hopped over a tree and the ground felt different, more solid. He looked around and saw that he was in some sort of forcefield dome. Thinking this was some of Skeletor's magic he tried to go back the way he came and could not. Adam saw Skeletor emerge into the dome, "Another one of your tricks Skeletor?" Adam called to him.
Skeletor found himself in a magic dome when he heard Adam's voice. Angered that this was not of his doing he began throwing fireball after fireball at Adam. Adam either blocked or avoided each one until no more came from skeletor. "How have you blocked my magic you worthless prince? Hiding all this time as He-man, I should have known." Skeletor spat then lunged at Adam.
Adam locked swords with Skeletor when he blocked his blow and they wrestled together to gain advantage. Each one tired from their long battle neither could gain the upper hand. The ground began to shake and both adversaries separated and fell to the ground when they lost their balance.
In the center of the dome a small crafters hut appeared with it's moss covered roof and smoke coming from the chimney. A woman dressed simply in white stood outside the hut and motioned both men to her. Her hair the color of sunshine and her eyes the color of the bluest water, her dress flowing around her. Even though Skeletor and Adam were in a deadly battle they felt compelled to obey her, each with their sword in hand. They stopped a swords length distance from the woman not knowing whom she was. Skeletor was the first to speak. "Who are you and how have you taken my powers from me?"
With a melodic voice she replied "I am the mother of all on Eternia. The wind, rain, fire, the ground you walk upon, and all souls come to me through birth and death. Your powers and strength were gifted to you by me, there would be no Skeletor or He-Man if not for me. Destiny chose you both as champions for good and evil but the power you have gained through the years has been chosen by me. But blood has been spilled, your powers are too strong for this world and each of you must come to and end as you are now."
Adam could only think of how Teela was when Mother Eternia had said 'blood had been spilled'. Then he heard her say the last part and questioned "End as we are now, does that mean we are dead?" His heart sank as he thought of his family and friends.
"Ha", Skeletor said. "I don't feel dead, I feel completely new again." With a show of flexing his muscles Skeletor took chance to catch Adam off guard but Adam blocked with his sword. Both readied to battle with renewed energy.
"You have both chosen your way back to the living world! You must fight until a death happens in this dome. There is no other way to return." Mother Eternia stated firmly.
Skeletor laughed. "To kill the prince of Eternia, so called He-Man, will be my greatest achievement." He circled Adam taunting him with his sword.
Adam thought as Skeletor circled him. How could he return if he killed Skeletor? He swore an oath not to take a life in the constant battle with evil. It goes against everything he lives by, but he cannot allow evil to win. He raised his sword and began his fight with Skeletor.
Skeletor was merciless in his fight, trying to take any advantage he could. Adam would only block his strikes never going for a kill shot. Skeletor was wearing himself down and Adam knew it, he hoped he could subdue the evil lord before he became too tired.
"I grow bored of this fight, it's time to change the rules." Skeletor said. Before Adam could question how, Skeletor moved to Mother Eternia and cut her about the abdomen, nearly cutting her in half. She now lays on the ground as Skeletor moved away from the body screaming, "A death has happened now we must be released from this dome."
Adam moved to the woman, watching as Skeletor moved around the dome trying to get out. He cradled her head in his hands not knowing what to do. "How can I help you my lady?" Adam says softly.
"You must act quickly my champion, when my life ends this dome will disappear and Skeletor will be free to leave. He has grown too deadly for this world and justice must be served. You have the power to defeat him, you always have. Do not be afraid, you will know what to do when the time is right." Mother Eternia told him. She grew quiet and Adam laid her head down.
Acting on instinct, Adam rolled away from the body. Skeletor's sword hitting the ground where he just had been. "Damn you boy, will you just die." Skeletor spat at Adam. They faced each other again, Adam knowing he must go on the offensive to defeat Skeletor. Adam called to Skeletor, "Let's end this now!" He lunged at Skeletor with breath taking speed and sliced into his arm. Another swing and he cut into Skeletor's leg. Adam backed off giving Skeletor some ground. Skeletor laughed and said, "You don't have it in you to take my life, He-man." When Skeletor finished Adam attacked again and again driving the evil lord against the side of the dome. Skeletor was pinned against it by Adam's sword and body.
"Do it boy, take my life." Skeletor taunted. Some how Adam knew what he must do and said, "By the power of Eternia." Adam's sword began to glow, "I have the power!" Adam's whole body began to glow, power flowing through him. Skeletor could not move even though the dome had disappeared. Adam held his sword against Skeletor's head and said "You have done enough evil in your life and I sentence you for your crimes. You will have no more powers and I return you back into your original body, Uncle Keldor." An explosion of light encircled the two warriors, the amount of power between them forcing them apart.
Adam got to his feet and checked that his uncle Keldor was laying on the ground unconscious, then he went to the lady. Her body was so still, he knew she must have passed on. "Fear not prince Adam, all is well." Came a voice from all around, as the body faded into vapor. "Your destinies have now been fulfilled. There is no longer a need for He-Man or for Grayskull. You now may go back to your new life." From close by Adam could hear Duncan calling to him.