The very edge of reality; the dwelling place of the All Father, Tenebris. Tenebris had created this area of the Underground away from the rest of the Universes, not bound by any law of nature, for the sole purpose of keeping the 'Portal' away from the grasps of the mortals. His Lair had served well so far, but of course, it had to be compromised as well.
It had been almost a few months since Shadow opened the Gate of Shadows, releasing its demons along with its chaotic Shadow Energy into the overworld, disrupting the natural energy flow. At first, Tenebris had expected the Shadow Energy to consume his mind and soul, turning him into yet another mindless shadow. While it did consume his soul, he was somehow resilient enough to deter its mind warping side effect. Soon after the gates were opened, it plunged the Overworld into a state of chaos more potent than ever seen before. The Shadow Energy, coupled with the chaos was enough to awaken the Eternals from their slumber, allowing the Eternal closest to the Overworld to confront Shadow first, The Eternal of Fire: Volcano.
Since the encounter with Volcano, Shadow had been fighting tirelessly to defeat the 9 other Eternals before they could destroy the tainted World. The All Father watched closely as Shadow and his companions successfully fought through his Forces of Nature, defeating them one by one. He knew very well that he would have to battle Shadow himself soon if the others were unable to put him down, even if it put Reality itself at risk.
Ultimately, Shadow would come to best the Eternal of War, Drakaina, leaving only one being between him and the key to Humanity's salvation from the Eternals, leading to this very moment. Shadow and Tenebris, katana and claws equipped respectively. They had been in battle for a few hours now with neither side seeming to consider surrender just yet. Shadow's raised his head to face the All Father, glowing white eyes met the gaze of several purple void slits on Tenebris' chest that served as his main set of eyes.
Without any further hesitation, the shadow warrior drew his katana and launched at Tenebris. In response, Tenebris brought up his clawed left arm, effortlessly parrying and redirecting Shadow's blade away from him before following with an uppercut which barely managed to scratch Shadow's chin as he had quickly backed out before the claws could connect. In another attempt to completely finish the final Eternal off, he reached into his pouch and in a few swift motions, released a couple of needles and shurinkens in Tenebris' direction.
The Creator immediately sprung into action, flicking two of the needles away from himself and catching one of the shunrikens. In a show of athleticism, Tenebris rolled to his left, allowing two shuriken to pass harmlessly beside him before back flipping away from the remaining needles. However, when he looked at Shadow again, he came face to face with a giant sawmill and an airborne Shadow. Without enough time to react to it, The magically summoned sawmill pushed Tenebris backwards, trying to cut through him without success. Eventually, it ran out of mana, dispelling itself in a thin puff of smoke, leaving a somewhat stunned Tenebris behind.
With opportunity and victory in sight, Shadow leapt again, bringing the katana upon the now staggering Tenebris and further pushing the Eternal back. He quickly spun around to gather momentum before using it to deliver a heavy back slash with enough force to spin Tenebris and bring him to a bending position again. Before the Eternal could recover, Shadow quickly planted his knee in Tenebris' gut just below his mouth, then delivered a spin kick to his upper torso, which knocked the Eternal to the ground.
"That's it, right?" A worried May silently asked, watching the fight from the edge of the lair. She knew that Shadow could win, as he always had in the past but something about Tenebris made her seem uneasy. The fights she witnessed never took this long. That, coupled with the fact that his opponent claimed to have created worlds was enough to cripple her confidence,.albeit slightly.
"Possibly." Shadow's teacher and mentor answered. "Although, there may be more to it than meets the eye." He finished, a stoic expression on his face looking on at Shadow's onslaught of attacks. While they seemed to clearly be taking a toll on the Eternal, Shadow and Sensei kept wondering why his opponent hadn't done anything much in response yet. Shadow wouldn't allow himself to be consumed in his thoughts because Tenebris had forced a quick recovery, springing back to his feet before performing a back handspring to avoid a double sweep aimed towards his ankle.
Shadow assumed a peculiar stance, planting both hands on his sword before lunging in a crucial attemot to stab Tenebris square in his chest and end the fight, but despite the lightning like speed of Shadow, Tenebris saw him coming as if in slow motion. He raised his left claw to his chest, trapping the katana between the claws and leaving Shadow vunerable. Within moments, The mouth on the External's abdomen opened up, charging up an attack using pure Fear Energy then once charged, he released the beam of energy towards Shadow with a resounding boom. The beam of energy consumed Shadow, causing him severe pain despite his immortal body and forcefully slamming him against a wall close to the portal Tenebris wws guarding. Shadow would desperately tried to get up but time and time again, he failed to do so. Tenebris looker towards his fallen opponent, then towards the old man and girl watching him. The red haired girl couldn't help but shed drops of tears for her companion while the old man tried to comfort her with some degree of success.
"Stubborn fool!" He began, slowly walking towards the grounded opponent as he continued. "You humans..." He gestures around him, more towards May and Sensei, "... can only solve problems with brute force, but the universe doesn't work that way. All these centuries and you've learned nothing!" He finished. Now, he stood right in front of the fallen Shadow. "Get up Shadow! Please!" The teary eyed girl shouted out, trying her best to motivate her companion and lover.
"Save your breath, young one." His voice resonated throughout the Lair. "Rejoice! For Shadow shall serve as the martyr towards the prosperity of the world. The Universe will be cleansed, made anew without any humans or demons to torment it." He proclaimed proudly, stretching his hands to his sides as he spoke. A wave of rage, hopelessness and fear washed over her upon hearing him. Not only would he kill Shadow, but every other human as well. She turned back to face Shadow again, both her and Sensei noticing that Shadow had gotten back to his feet. He took deep breaths, trying to regain himself before Tenebris spoke again, this time to him. "Don't worry." He picked up Shadow by the back of his neck and held him out before May and Sensei. "I am no monster. I'll make sure to reunite your souls in the afterlife." Ignoring the screams from the girl, he tightened his grip on Shadow's neck, eliciting a struggle from him which died out as soon as they began. Tenebris rolled his free hand into a fist, from which a different pair of claws emerged. Instead of the polished metal ones he used in combat, these ones were made of the very same purple glowing crystals that could be found on his body. They emitted an aura of fear so ominous that it was able to make the bodies of both spectators freeze in place, a disturbed look plastered on their faces.
"Vale in aeternum. Stare superbus, tu vale pugnatum." He spoke in another tongue, then launched his free fist towards Shadow's chest. However, in the final moment of Tenebris' killing blow, the white glow of Shadow's eyes intensified for a reason unknown even to the Creator. Strange... It's almost as if... He began to think, but was interrupted by a dark energy surrounding Shadow's body. In an instant, the energy burst out of Shadow, disintegrating everything within a 5 foot radius of his being. The energy wave was also enough to not only force Tenebris to release Shadow, but also deal a relatively large amount of damage to the Eternal and put his back on the ground again.
Using his new found power, Shadow rushed to where his blade laid and quickly lifted it, brandishing it in the process. With renowned vigour, he dashed at Tenebris again, faster than his body had ever moved before. Stopping behind the now standing Eternal, he raised his sword, slashing diagonally at Tenebris' back, cracking few of the crystals that laid there. He tried to follow up with a second slash, but this time, Tenebris parried with his clawed hand. Shadow aggressively attacked, but Tenebris was fast enough to block or parry his attacks. For the next couple of minutes, the two would go back and forth, repeatedly trying to attack each other but failing due to the skill and strength of the other. This eventually stopped when Tenebris and Shadow locked weapons, katana and claw pushed against each other, trying to overpower the other. Shadow focused most of his newfound energy into his sword and with a loud battle cry, managed to overpower Tenebris, pushing him back slightly and leaving him open for an attack that came in the form ofba drop kick to his upper torso again.
The power that Shadow just displayed had done nothing but somehow ease and anger Tenebris at the same time. Deciding to test Shadow yet again, he brought his palms together and allowed dark energy to concentrate between his palms, forming a moderate sized black orb. Immediately after, he pointed his arm towards Shadow and shot the charged orb at him. Shadow looked foward towards the incoming darkness charge, narrowing his eyes and channelling the last bit of his strength. He firmly gripped his katana amd rushed full speed towards the orb. Once he had gotten close enough, he tensed himself and slashed through the orb upwards. The orb threatened to consume Shadow, much like Tenebris' beam had, but after a fierce struggle, he was glad that everything went according to his plan. Much to Tenebris' surprise, he had used his sword to absorb the energy from the attack into his body. Shadow's dash didn't end there however, as he lunged towards the 'weakened' Eternal, now wielding a katana charged with both shadow and void energy, and brought the blade upon Tenebris.
Tenebris would attempt to use his crystalline claws to block it, but this time, the sword cut through his claws like a hot knife through butter, before cutting across Tenebris vertically, finally bringing Tenebris to his heels, and the fight to a long awaited end. Calmly, Shadow walked to the kneeling Tenebris and pointed his sword at his head. While Tenebris knew well that the sword couldn't kill him, he understood the gesture. He had been defeated.
"Yay! Shadow!" A smiling May ran up to Shadow, trapping him in a tight hug while the old Sensei followed behind slowly. "Impressive work, Shadow." He complimented as the two took a short bow of acknowledgement and respect for one another. As they celebrated, Tenebris spoke again.
"Are you aware of the unknown lurking in the darkness? Now you'll be left to face it on your own! The world falls to dust and is reborn anew, following the spiral.". It became clear to them that Tenebris was warning Shadow of the portal, telling him the consequences of going through it. Upon hearing this, Sensei looked towards the portal, then to his famed student again. " The portal is yours, Shadow. What is your decision? Take the risk and enter... Or listen to Tenebris and turn back?"
Shadow looked foward towards the portal he had won from Tenebris. Its swirling had become more violent as Shadow took a few hesitant steps towards it. His decision now was crucial, not just to humanity, but the Eternals as well. He had fought hard to get to this point, and was ready to do what must be done if it meant saving humanity. On the other hand, Tenebris did warn about the portal and why he shouldn't cross it, and considering that he created the portal, it would be wise to heed his warnings. After some thought, Shadow halted his walk right in front of the portal... and turned away, walking back towards May, Sensei and Tenebris. The two former watched in awe as the portal began changing, twisting and morphing in unnatural patterns.
"Look! The portal is changing!" May announced, pointing towards the portal and prompting Shadow to look back at the portal. The three of them felt some new form of power had begun to flow through them. Sensei innediately deduced exactly what was happening. "I see! It's giving us its strength; The power to mold and shape reality like fresh clay, to create anew and finally put an end to this vicious cycle of destruction." He announced, carefully observing the now fading dark aura that they emitted.
"Woah..." May whispered to herself, still awed by their new aura display. She turned towards Shadow and Sensei. "Wait. So does that mean that..." She was about to confirm the current situation but stopped upon hearing a deep damiliar voice answer for her.
"Indeed. Now we can decide what to do with this world of chaos. We can destroy it, just like the Immortals did so many times... Or do what even the gods could not - live in peace." Tenebris answered from behind them, now on his feet and showing no sign of strain or struggle after such a battle. May and Sensei could only smile in response. Shadow stared at Tenebris first, then at May and Sensei, a quick yet subtle nod amongst the three solidified the deal. They then turned to Tenebris. "We accept the peace option, Tenebris." Sensei voiced out the opinion to Tenebris, who seemed to be surprised but impressed by it.
"I see. Perhaps there is more to your kind than I initially thought." He muttered, more to himself.
He turned away from them, and slowly stretched his hands outwards. "Ven!" He called out into the empty space. With a bright flash of purple light, a wide portal opened up and out of it, stepped three of the nine Eternals that Shadow went through to reach Tenebris. The first was the Eternal of the Seas, Vortex; a blue and green pirhana-like humanoid creature. Beside him stood Fatum, The Eternal of Fate. Physically, she was a greenish-skinned female, wearing a green hooded dress with streaks of blue on its lower parts. She personally preferred keeping her hood up. The last one was the war goddess, Drakaina; a red serpentine like creature clothed in a light chest plate, bone helm and cloth just below her midriff. The three immortals walked up to Tenebris and bowed in front of him until a flick his wrist permitted them to rise.
The sudden appearance of three more Eternals caused Shadow, Sensei and May to stiffen, the first subtly reaching for his blade should a fight start. "What is it you require of us, Father?" Fatum asked first, paying attention to the humans and Shadow in the room. "Spread word to the Eternals of your domains that the cleansing of the Overworld is no more. Let peace reign between mortals who wish for it, and the Eternals as well." He commanded.
Safe to say that the Eternals didn't understand the reasoning behind his decision at first, but nonetheless, Tenebris had spoken and they knew better than to disobey. "It will be done." Drakaina answered as she and the two others bowed and together, the three disappeared. The three from the Overworld let out a sigh of relief, one Eternal alone would be a good battle, but 4 could classify as suicide for any human. "Thank you." May and Sensei said together, bowing towards Tenebris in appreciation. While Shadow may not have verbally voiced his gratitude, he was glad that Tenebris would easily allow peace between both kinds.
With the war between the Eternals and Mortals ended and the formerly grim fate of the world re-written, Shadow, Sensei and May left the lair through a pathway that Tenebris had shown them. The path should lead them back to their own reality if followed correctly. With them gone, only Tenebris stood in front of the portal, beyond which only nothingness exists. The humans and Shadow had proven the worth of humanity, both in strength, wisdom and courage.
After all these millennia, it finally chooses worthy hosts for its power. Anyways, fate is still as intended: Unpredictable and now rewritten. He thought to himself. After gazing into the portal for a few minutes, he finally decided to go back to resume his dormancy until...
"My servant that exists somewhere in the universe!" A girl's voice screamed out from the portal. "Hm? Human life beyond the portal? Impossible!" Tenebris declared in response, however, the girl continued with whatever she was saying.
"My divine, beautiful and powerful familiar!" Familiar? Servant? Tenebris questioned himself. Beautiful, divine and powerful he would accept, but familiar? She couldn't be talking to him, so he decided to ignore whatever she said.
"I wish and assert from the bottom of my heart, answer my guidance!" She finally ended whatever she had to say. He turned away from the portal and was about to begin going to his throne. After about two steps, his next one was unusually laboured. He paid no attention to it, the end of reality didn't obey any natural laws so here, this should be completely normal. In his moment of unawareness, the portal began to pull him into it. His feet quickly went through before he could even think of what was going on. He raised his hands in an attempt to restore it to normal with his magic but acted too late. By the time he was done, the large crystal on his upper body had already been sucked through the portal, leaving none of him behind. Whichever human had the audacity to summon him, after a long day no less, would have to answer to him now. After all, he did promise peace to mortals who wished for it.
That's all folks. So I decided to try to write a fic based on an old mobile game, nothing much. This is my first writing after all so please, try to bear with me if it's e. Don't forget to leave a review if you did, or didn't like it. Thanks