Note: Last part of the Gova fight! Good thing, too, as I'm eager to get this thing moving. Granted, there'll be a 'checking in' chapter after this, but the story will continue after that.

Gova Part 3

Duran looked at the specter, then at the hourglasses, he held in his possession. Then, as his eyes darted between the imprisoned souls and the trapped elemental, the soldier grimly realized that he had no idea what to do.

"Well?" Gova questioned, smirking. Duran cursed the bastard with every word he could muster in his mind. "I'll admit, it must be lonely, being the only one left," he noted. "You humans tend to develop such strong attachments in such a short time." he then looked to the souls in the hourglass. "Then again, how could I understand? Such short, sad lives you lead." he then turned back to the soldier. "But enough about me. What's your answer to my proposal?"

Duran was silent still, mind racing on what to do. 'Duran…' Faerie said, clearly sensing her host's anxiety and her own.

...any ideas? he asked her.

Haven't got a clue. she admitted.

Yet for Duran, this answer wouldn't do. So, lowering his head, he began to construct an answer for the owner of this horrid ship. And it was then that, oddly enough, thoughts of his father began to emerge in his mind. Particularly a time when the young man was still in the single digits and had snuck away from his mother and aunt to see the Golden Knight in action.


It was a long journey to the castle on his little legs, and the guards at the entrance stopped him. Duran's cheeks puffed up in anger at being told how a "little boy" like him should go and find his parents. Yet even when he told them of his relation to Loki, they still wouldn't let him in! It was only when King Richard happened to be passing through that the boy was FINALLY allowed to enter the castle and, in turn, the courtyard where training was taking place.

Duran's eyes widened at the sight of it all. Armored men (and a few women, though the armor made it difficult to tell which was which) battled with each other using poles of wood, seeing as this training was to improve technique and reflexes, which could be done without injuring other trainees. Though Duran thought that if a warrior was as good as his father, they could surely defeat an opponent with nothing more than a glorified stick. He watched in awe as they dueled, wishing nothing more than to join them. It didn't matter he was half the size of anybody else here, maybe less; picking up a sword was easy! He had no problem using his wooden sword after all! He even took down their scarecrow in no time at all. Granted, this caused his mother to be quite cross with him, and he was forced to help stitch it back together (the sensation of the needle constantly poking his skin still made him squirm).

"You're a little slow today, Loki!" the boy heard a voice shout, turning his head to see his father and another soldier battling each other.

Immediately, Duran was offended. This guy dared to insult his father, the Golden Knight?! Hero of the Peddan War?! He was about to march on over and give this guy, whoever he was, a piece of his mind!

"Hold on there." King Richard said, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's just banter, nothing more. Sometimes you want to rile up your opponent to create an opening."

"Opening?" Duran asked, confused.

"Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, you risk making a vital error that could cost you the battle." as if to demonstrate, the soldier managed to block Loki's swing and bashed his shield in the knight's side sending him to the ground. Duran was about to run and assist him, yet Richard held him firmly. "Hold on. Let's see what Loki will do to recover," he spoke with such confidence that Duran was compelled to watch his father even more. If the King had faith in Loki, surely his own son could grant him that too.

Loki rolled out of the way of the wooden sword and got back to his feet, now behind his opponent. He delivered a hard kick, sending the soldier to the ground, and when he rolled over, Loki held his weapon to his opponent's throat, signaling that he now had the upper hand. "All right!" the soldier cried out. "All right. I yield." as if to show he was serious, he dropped his sword. After that, Loki helped him up. "Show off." the soldier mumbled, yet it wasn't out of maliciousness.

Loki smirked. "I have a reputation to keep, you know." he jokingly said.

"Yeah, yeah. I know." his opponent said, yet a small punch to Loki's arm told that he bore no animosity towards the Golden Knight.

"Whoa…" Duran looked on, transfixed. Richard laughed.

"A warrior's pride is something he holds dear." the King explained. "To challenge it is a grave insult."

"Warrior's pride?" The boy was confused.

"Indeed," Richard answered. "While I suppose it is somewhat built from one's own pride, that doesn't make it any less valuable. To prove oneself worthy of the title of knight, or even Prince," he paused for a moment, reflecting on days gone by. Days that he would hope that the young boy would never have to live through. "It's not easy to develop, and it takes many years to tap into it, yet once it is harnessed, it can get you out of the direst of troubles. For example, this pride allowed Valsena to be removed from Pedda and the Dragon Lord's forces."

Dragon Lord. Duran had heard of the name before. Dragons themselves were already scary to think about, yet the Dragon Lord was said to be something of a true monster. A titan of scales and teeth, who was said to devour children who didn't behave. And while Duran countered that his father and the King had beaten him and his dragons back, a small portion of fear of the supposed Lord of all Dragons still resided within him.

"Your father is strong, but he can't fight forever. Thus, it's necessary to train these young men and women to face any future threats." Richard explained.

"Like the Dragon Lord?" Duran asked.

Richard chuckled. "I don't think you need to worry about him," he said. "But...should the time come when your father and I are old…."

Duran pondered this. The thought of his father as an older man was utterly foreign, let alone being weak. He was the Golden Knight! The best soldier there was in Valsena! But still, even as a child, he couldn't deny that, with time, people began to wear down. Sure, it'd take a long time for his father, but it was still a possibility.

Then, he made his decision, watching his father with pride. "Then...then I'll take care of things for you." Richard was taken aback by his declaration. If it were just a childish sense of admiration, he would've simply laughed it off, yet the seriousness in the young boy's tone gave him pause. "I'll be the next best knight you'll ever see!"


In mere seconds, Duran reminisced on that declaration and the simpler times when his family was whole, and the world wasn't on the brink of war. 'Warrior's pride…' he mused. He then looked back to Gova. "Here's my answer." He then centered his eyes on the hourglass holding the souls. "Take your offer...and shove it right up your ass!"

He ran forward and slashed at the chain from which Gova dangled the hourglass. Unfortunately, the links shattered under the blow, and the object fell to the ground. Duran then raised his sword, ready to smash the thing to Kingdom Come, yet, to his dismay, he was blasted back by a force that surrounded the object, Duran slamming against the partially destroyed beam that held the crow's nest. Gova shook his head disappointedly and snapped his fingers, the broken chain putting itself back together. Then, a dark force manifested from Gova's palm and shot towards Duran, who had just risen to his feet. The sensation of a heavy weight crushing his chest kept him in place, the orb of dark energy slowly eating away at his top.

"Relax, I won't kill you," Gova told him. "No, I have NO intention of letting you go. You and I are going to be shipmates for a LONG time." Duran struggled, trying to move forward, yet the dark energy kept him where he was. The orb was slowly consuming the blue cloth of his shirt, the material having tiny bits of it ripped out and disintegrated into nothing. As if it had never existed. "Did you think playing the hero was going to save the day? That you would come in and give your sword a few swings, and everything would be fine?" Gova then chuckled. "That's a common error with you warrior types. Grab ahold of anything sharp you think you can take on the world." The specter then got mere inches away from Duran. "Had you not been selfish and wanted to show off, you could've saved them." he then held up the hourglass containing six trapped souls and held them close to the young man, making sure that he truly grasped the gravity of the situation he had put himself in.

Then, Gova turned his back to him and floated away. "H-Hey! What are you doing?!" he saw that he was approaching the still bodies of his companions. "Get away from them!"

"So sorry, but your friend here needs a lesson," Gova told the souls. "And I'm afraid you're going to have to be the ones to teach him. The question is…" he looked at them all. "Which one of you to start on first?"

The specter looked back at Duran, then to the others. Back and forth he went, observing and taking note of the young man's reactions. And it was amusing that he was still trying to move forward despite the dark force before him. Every youth caused a different sort of reaction from the young man. At first, he seemed enraged, then doubt crept in, and pride began to falter. Then, he began to display desperation. And finally, when Gova reached the violet-haired witch, Duran could no longer contain himself.

"W-Wait! WAIT!" Gova stopped and turned to his captive. "Don't-" he was about to say 'please,' yet he stopped himself, which he felt quite ashamed about.

"Hm," Gova smirked. "Can't throw your pride away for one second, can you? Oh well." the specter then lowered a finger towards Angela's throat. "Not that it'd save any of you."

Duran watched as the ghost plunged his digit into the Princess' throat. There was a sucking sound, something that confused the soldier. Yet after a few moments, he saw Angela's skin grow tighter around her. She appeared to be shrinking somewhat, growing steadily thinner. It was then that he realized that she was being drained: drained of her blood, her already pale skin had turned gray. She was beginning to resemble a corpse.

Duran tried to hurl himself forward, forgetting about the dark force keeping him in place. He yelped in pain; the magic had come into contact with his bare chest, his shirt having been chiefly eaten away. A chilling sting assaulted his flesh, feeling as if an arctic wind had struck him. Only it also felt sharp and, at the same time, burning. Again, it felt as if he were being eaten away. Yet this orb was put here to keep him where he was, so it would approach no closer than it was. And it made it all the more infuriating.

He had done this. He had doomed them all.

...that is not so. Duran looked up, seeing something stirring within one of the hourglasses. Humans…the voice was low yet smooth, conjuring images of black silk and roses on a grave. Too soon, they decide that their end is soon, yet the rest of their lives have yet to play out. Duran's eyes widened. He was about to ask who was talking to him. Silence. The being ordered firmly. I am speaking to you telepathically,' he explained. I am Shade, Elemental of Darkness, and Guide to the Departed.

Duran was about to respond, yet Lumina interjected himself in the conversation. Shade! he was relieved. Oh, what has that monster DONE to you?!

Lumina, calm yourself. The trapped figure said with a sigh.

No, I won't! The Light Elemental retorted. Do you know how worried I was about you?! Ever since that Full Metal jerk swallowed me, I knew that something worse would happen to you!

Shade only rolled his eye. If the boy had Lumina with him, the Elemental knew that the white ball of light would go on like this. Lumina, please. Not now. Despite not wanting to, the other Spirit quieted down. I have been awaiting your arrival, Duran. Shade told the young man. I felt the shift in the world; life is being drained away from the world. He felt the human's current shame. Your condition is understandable.' Shade answered. 'Yet it is unfounded.

Duran was confused. You're giving in to despair. Lumina explained. Yet there's always hope. Even now.

Wh-What?! Duran couldn't believe what he was hearing, and neither could Faerie. You've got to be kidding me! Look at her! he looked at Angela, who was still being drained. It seemed Gova was taking his time, letting the human youth enjoy the show. I...I did this. Duran lamented. So much for a warrior's pride.

You acted recklessly, yes, but you can still save them. Shade answered.

Fine! How?! Duran demanded. Shade was unmoved.

So far, with the power of the Mana Stone, you have harnessed the Darkness. The Elemental explained. You have used it well, as all must maintain balance, yet now it is time to call upon the Light.

Call upon the Light. But how would he do that? You attacked out of personal pride. Lumina told him. This isn't exactly bad, as one needs pride in themselves. But it must be secondary to the desire to protect and defend.

The desire to protect and defend...what? He already had that! Hell, what did they think he was trying to do? Faerie understood the Elemental's words better, yet still, how could she make her host understand? So, much as Duran did moments before, and well aware of the irony, she began to go through his memories in hopes of finding some sort of answer there.


"He got into ANOTHER fight at school!" Duran had been sitting in his room and told not to come out until he was told. Then, finally, he could, hearing his mother's raised voice nearly made him jump. Simone was talking to his father downstairs, and she was displeased.

"You've got to do something, Loki! I am NOT going to have people think my son is some thug!"

"You know well enough that people don't think that, " he heard his father say. "Well, it's just how boys his age act!"

"Don't give me that!" Simone argued back. "Causing another boy's nose to bleed is not simple play fighting!" She sighed. "Look, I...I don't want people to get the wrong idea about my baby. Especially since he's going to be a big brother soon."

It was silent downstairs for a short while before Loki finally spoke again. "I'll talk to him."

"Thank you," Simone said.

Duran heard his father's steps as he ascended the staircase. He was in regular attire, a sight that took the boy a moment to get used to. He was so used to seeing the man in his golden armor that he found anything outside of that to be foreign to him. "Hey there." Loki greeted. Duran flinched. It was one thing when his mother or aunt was displeased with him; it was an entirely different matter for his father. Immediately, Duran averted his gaze, looking down at the floor. Loki saw this and knew he would have to approach this matter carefully. The goal was to teach his son not to break his spirit. "So, I don't think I need to tell you that what you did wasn't good." Duran gripped his bedsheets. "Your mother's told me what she saw. How about you tell me your side of the story?"

Duran was surprised to hear that. When he listened to his father coming up to his room, he thought for sure that he would be in for a whipping. Yet instead, he found himself relaying what had happened, Loki listening to every word.

"So let me get this straight." the knight said. "This other boy had taken this girl's doll, and you tried to get it back." Duran nodded. "And then, you did, but he said something that set you off." again, Duran nodded. "Well, what'd he say?"

"...he said that I would never be like you." the boy said. "He said I'd never be a great knight. I was too skinny, and my clothes looked stupid and...and I'm a wimp."

Loki was beginning to understand. "So, it was a matter of personal pride."

"A warrior's pride." Duran corrected. "King Richard said all future knights have it."

So that was what this was about. "I see," Loki answered. "So, in other words, you decided to pick a fight. Not to defend the girl, but to prove yourself."

Duran was surprised to hear this. And here, he believed that his father was on his side. "Well...I don't know about-"

"No, I know what you did. And why you did it." Loki explained. "And...while your mother won't take it for an answer, it is inevitable that boys like you would get into a couple of fights, even at your age."

"What do you mean?" Duran asked.

Well, for one, while I don't doubt that you understand the knight's code of protecting those who can't defend themselves," his father continued, "there's one thing about it you can only learn from experience. A knight must not get caught up in his anger. Fighting that other boy then had nothing to do with that girl's doll. It was about you." Duran wanted to protest, yet ultimately, he knew he couldn't deny that was true. "It's completely natural. And yes, that's part of a warrior's pride." Loki explained. "But that part of you must be tempered, lest it get you into trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" Duran asked.

It was then that his father, even if just for a moment, got a grim look on his face. "Hopefully, nothing too large. Not what we went through…" he murmured. "Ultimately, a warrior's pride is a balance between defending your pride and protecting others. That is the way of not just a knight, but of anyone who carries a sword."


His father's words echoed in his mind. He knew what he had to do; the only question was how? If nothing were done, Angela and the others would become shriveled-up corpses! So Duran had to do something. He had to protect them! To protect those that cannot defend themselves.

Suddenly, he felt a warmth from within develop. Small at first, but steadily, it grew. It was the same sensation he felt when he called upon the energy given to him by the Mana Stone. Yet he felt somewhat...lighter. He was channeling a different set of emotions than before. True, he still had anger towards Gova, yet revenge against him was secondary. Instead, what mattered most was saving them—saving his friends.

And that was all that was needed.

Gova was suddenly aware of a significant source of light behind him, thus distracting him from draining the young woman and causing him to turn around and see what was happening. He was momentarily blinded by the light, sensing that whatever it was, it signaled that perhaps his means to restrain his captive were not enough.

And indeed, he saw a sword swing through the dark force, dissipating it and revealing Duran, yet the young man had changed. Instead of his nearly armor-less form and torn-up clothing, he now wore armor of shining silver, fitted with a helmet, breastplate, gorget, gauntlets, poleyns, greaves, and sabatons. In addition, he wore a long-sleeved, teal tunic underneath with a thick leather belt around his waist. Orange trousers rested on his legs, cutting off at his poleyns, light-colored boots hidden underneath the armor. Yet the one feature of his appearance that gave Gova pause was that his sword and shield were both bathed in a familiar light. Lumina's light.

The young man had gained access to another path of power.

Duran had played that conversation with his father in his head often during his life, but, for the longest time, its meaning had remained murky. Now, however, the truth shone as brilliantly clear as his armor. So strong his warrior's pride was, and always would be, its luster had paled when, seeing the defenseless in dire peril, he was moved to become their shield. Egotism and anger were eclipsed by duty and compassion, which stood tall upon a foundation of resolve, both of body and mind, and dealt not only with a sword arm that grew defter with each fight but a shield arm that would withstand all but the mightiest blows. And, to consecrate this sacred vow to defend the innocent, Lumina's light flared to life within him and, with it, the ability to heal and sustain those in peril and to rend asunder creatures of the dark now coursed through his blood.

A word sprang to his lips that acted as the summation for what he was now: "Knight."

Gova observed what the young man had turned into, surveying him up and down. And indeed, after the initial transformation, Duran appeared shocked at how he looked now. A shield had been bestowed upon him, manifesting from thin air, and even more, he felt...different. Somewhat the same as when he channeled the Mana Stone's power to transform into a gladiator, but it was on the opposite spectrum. A similar fire resided in his chest, yet it felt more...universal. Was that even the word for it? It was like he could see the bigger picture. This was about defending his comrades, not himself. And to do that, this being had to be slain.

Gova stiffened, eyes on the young man's glowing sword. Damn, he thought. Whatever this new form was, as much as he hated to admit it, it made him nervous. Afraid even. Yet what did he, Gova, Master of the Dead, have to fear? Besides, it wasn't as if the human could go and save his companions all at once! Producing his horn, he summoned more ghosts, all of which went to one of the other four motionless bodies, their Master still situated by Angela.

'Now's the time, hun!' Lumina declared. 'Show him the power of the Light!'

Wasting no time, Duran rushed towards the one nearest him, the still form of Charlotte. He quickly dispatched the ghost, ready to drain her. He did it; he did it! He was a-

Save all that for later! Faerie reminded him. The others still need to be tended to!

"Right." he agreed. Still, he felt pride building within him. He remembered his father's words and went forward to Kevin, ridding the beastman of his spectral attacker.

The other spirits began to try and speed up their work, yet they too were slain, the glowing blade slicing right through them. Gova turned around, knowing well that the knight was coming closer. "Gah!" He just didn't anticipate how close. Leaping up and swinging down, Duran tore into the spirit's back, the white, thick vapor composed of his form splitting and revealing a sight to behold. It was so small that even Faerie could hold it in her hands, yet whatever it was, it was glowing a dark purple. It looked like one of the souls, yet it wasn't. Instead of a sphere, it bore the shape of an almond. It looked almost like a...seed. The soul within the soul...of course! It all made sense now! Not caring for the sword's close, Gova rose and abandoned the Altenan Princess, allowing Duran to get close.

While all the others had some vitality taken from them, Angela looked dreadful. Her skin was pale and sunken in, pulled tight around her cheeks. Her limbs were practically skeletal, gloves and boots about to slip off as Duran adjusted her, and she seemed to feel even colder than before. This wasn't good. Even when (not if, he kept telling himself, when) he got her soul to return to her body, he wondered whether or not her body would even be able to stand!

"I'm afraid it's too late for that one," Gova said aloud. "Lifeforce is fleeting and tends to go wherever it's being drawn toward. But, then, it becomes a part of that source." the specter smiled. "Even if I wanted to, I can't give it back."

Duran was more than eager to curse and slice the fiend in two, yet the sensation of Angela in his arms alerted him that she still needed tending to. But what could he do? Gova could've been lying about what he said, but that didn't make much of a difference. The knight found himself envying Charlotte greatly right now. He had no idea how it worked exactly, yet her powers over healing would at least provide some sort of hope.

Duran, Faerie said. Look.

From his palms, Duran looked down and saw as soft, warm light began to develop. So this was what he had seen Charlotte do! But how was he...well, whatever. He could think about all that later. He was unsure of whether or not to start in a particular place, ultimately deciding to hold Angela in his arms. He tightened his grip, trying to think of where to start and what to do. He was no healer; his skill lay with the sword! Yet if nothing were done, Angela wouldn't have a body to return to!

Wait a moment. Duran didn't believe it at first, yet he soon discovered that Angela was feeling warmer. Slowly yet steadily, warmth began to return to her, and...was she looking less emaciated? Yes! Her limbs were seemingly regaining their natural shape, her face full despite how it looked before. But how?!

"You…" Duran heard Gova say, clearly shocked. "You can...revitalize a seed?"

A seed? Looking down, the knight saw something glowing in the center of Angela's chest. A light, green color manifested in the same shape as Gova's center, the color spreading out and developing splintering paths that resembled roots.

It's a seed. Faerie observed. I've never seen one before…

Gova tightened his lips. This meant trouble. But he would be careful. After all, he still had his former Master and the boy's companions in his literal grasp. It was then that he was aware of a light approaching him, Lumina having been summoned and bestowing his light on the knight's sword and shield. The young man dove forward, Gova reeling back and avoiding the blade by mere inches. Something was different from before. He was fighting with the same ferocity, yet it seemed more focused, more precise—a bad combination.

"GAH!" Gova swiped a claw in the knight's direction, aiming to smash him with the hourglass, yet instead, Duran cut through the chain again, and, this time, the sundered links did not reform. Their necromantic power was broken. Gova could scarcely believe it; how was a human able to channel Mana so quickly?! It must've been that Faerie! The direct link between them must've been the key! Well, he had a solution for that!

Duran plunged his sword downward, the hourglass shattering and the winged, black creature being set free. Unfolding his wings, Shade looked upon his rescuer. The Elemental was not just a dark shade of any color, but pitch black, a mass of darkness that seemed to swallow up any light, a long, winding tail swishing this way and that. A single, red eye rested in the center, either held or carried by two small, clawed hands that emerged from the dark form, yet there was no sign of any arms.
Curiously, a small source of light hung between his two more enormous wings; a small star floated above his eye as if it were the sun shining over darkened mountaintops.

"Shade!" Faerie emerged, as did Lumina. "Are you all right?!"

Shade nodded. "Quite sure." he then gave out a low growl. "Though it does feel good to stretch my wings again."

"I was so worried!" Lumina cried out. "Don't scare me or the rest of us like that!" Gnome and Sylphid emerged as well.

"I know you were trapped, but why didn't you say anything sooner?" Gnome asked.

"The tortured souls aboard needed tending to." Shade answered. "Your thief and half-elf friends saw how this ship keeps its passengers." He shook his head. "A great injustice and tragedy."

"It's more than that." Lumina snarled. "It's downright evil." he then looked at Duran. "Evil that needs to be punished."

Gova finally had the opportunity he was looking for. "Punished? No, I'm not under your command, you insignificant wisp." The specter said. "And neither is the pathetic little bat!" Shade was unfazed by the insult. "In fact," his free hand now sunk into the deck. "I'm still in control, and this is my ship, so I have every right to punish you!"

The hand then emerged and snatched Faerie, the winged woman crying out in pain as she was held by the waist between two phantasmal fingers, slowly being crushed. "Faerie!" Duran rushed over, but then he saw her skin begin to tighten and her limbs shrink. She was looking just as Angela had. But, then, all of her vitality came back in an instant.

"I haven't drained her yet, but I can take it from her, just like that!" Gova declared, having read Duran's fear from his expression. "You already have five deaths at your hands; would you want to add another?"

Duran stopped, yet Shade pressed on, mere feet away from Gova. "You will do no such thing."

The larger being scoffed. "Didn't you just hear me? You are no longer my Master! And I would think you would remember why it was so easy to overpower you!"

Shade nodded. "True, yet you forget." the light above his eye began to glow brighter. "The Goddess has appointed me, not just to be the Ferryman of the Dead," Gova's red eyes widened. "But as one-half of the Judges of the Dead!" Shade then spread out his wings. "Now, Lumina!"

Lumina went beside the Element of Darkness and channeled his energy into the glowing object, it beginning to shimmer. Gova reeled back, covering his eyes. This light...this was more than just magic cast from a holy bolt or transferred energy. No, this light felt...divine. Bringing with it a judgment that would obliterate any evil it managed to catch in its wake.

"Duran!" Shade then called out to the young man. "Hold your sword aloft! We shall deliver the honor to you!"

Gova saw that there was no way out of this. He turned and was about to excuse himself to the other end of the ship, yet he was held in place by a beam that emerged from Shade's glowing force; it was powered up by Lumina. Seizing his chance, Duran dipped his blade in the light and centered his gaze on Gova. Rushing forward, the specter realized, to his now growing horror, that he had been had.

Yet, unlike the souls that he had taken, his destination was somewhere different entirely.

A place that he now feared.

He saw Duran jump and put his arm out in a fruitless attempt to stop him, yet found his arm cleaved through, the sharpened weapon tearing through him and revealing the violet 'seed' that resided within. Wasting no time, Duran ran forward, and with a quick thrust upward, his father's sword pierced the strange object, the specter releasing a shrill shriek that echoed throughout the thickened fog surrounding the ship. Gova's form began to shake violently and spasm until it seemed to collapse, being absorbed by the 'seed.' After being wholly absorbed, Shade caught the seed with his tail and held it firmly.

"You shall be dealt with soon enough." the Elemental said. Then the entire ship began to shudder violently. "Break their prison!" Shade urged Duran. "This ship's captain has been lost! It will soon fade away!"

It seemed that the Spirit's warning came too late, as Duran found the deck beneath him feeling less solid. He saw that parts of the boat were being 'eaten' away, disintegrating into nothingness. Soon, it became so much that the ship couldn't maintain balance, Duran and the lifeless forms of the others falling into the ocean. Again, his armor weighed him down, only this time, the Mana Stone's power faded away from him, leaving him in the form he had before acquiring another set of abilities. He looked around, seeing the floating bodies of the other five, yet where was the…?!

The hourglass!

Duran looked and saw the object sinking below the waves, the glow of the souls trapped inside alerting him his job was far from done. Diving down, the nearly armorless and topless soldier had difficulty seeing through the murky depths, yet he continued, the lights only growing dimmer and dimmer.

No… Duran held his breath and increased his speed, yet realized that he was running low on air. Even with his victory over Gova, he had greatly exerted himself and was worn down from the battle. He couldn't stay under much longer, lest he drowns for sure. His initial instinct was to rush up and try to take another breath, yet the hourglass that remained just beyond his grasp kept him from rising. There wasn't much time left, he realized. His father's words repeated themselves in his head, the young man pondering whether or not he could make it on time.

Whether or not he had to choose between himself or the others.

Faerie…' he knew he was acting out of impulse again, and perhaps it wasn't the smartest...yet his mind was made up. Do you know how you said you would've died had you not found me?

Yes?

Well...how are you for maybe doing some short-distance traveling?

What do you- Faerie then came to realize what he meant. Duran, it...it's not to that point yet! There's still time-

Can you bond with someone else if you have to? Yes or no?!

Yes! Yes, I can! But-

...ok then. That's all I needed.' Duran went silent for a moment. 'I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise.

DURAN!

Finally, at long last, he reached it. Duran grasped the chain and, even if it'd surely kill him for sure, tapped into what little remaining energy he had left to transform into a knight. And with his shimmering sword, he broke the glass of the souls' prison, releasing them from captivity. They flew upwards as if to celebrate their freedom, breaking the surface and presumably returning to their proper places. Where Matelo would go, Duran had no idea, yet he supposed such things were beyond his concern now. He had transformed from the knight, yet it was too late; he had sunk too far down. His body felt heavy, and he was robbed of breath. Everything was growing cold and dark, the ocean's water feeling like a vice around his body, keeping him trapped in its grip.

He wondered whether or not Faerie had made her escape yet, as his eyes closed, a stillness overtook him. There was so much that he had wished to accomplish, and yet now, standing at the edge of death...Duran found that it wasn't frightening at all. On the contrary, it felt relatively peaceful, like a night of restful sleep. Though, as Shade appeared before him, the young man wondered if, in death, one also dreamed.

"Not yet," Shade told him. Duran was about to speak, yet he saw Faerie's form manifest before him, she flying close to his chest. Placing her hands on the center, the winged woman began to concentrate. From that place, Duran saw that a soft, green glow had started to develop.

"She is revitalizing your seed as much as she can." he heard Lumina say, yet he didn't see the Light Elemental. Only a shimmering light above. Where had that come from? "Your work isn't done yet. Rise."

"I...I can't." Duran choked out, wanting nothing more than to sleep in that moment. "I…" yet as he looked more into the light...he found himself drawn to it. It wasn't much, but the glow had seemed to provide him with energy. Not much, yet just enough to possibly make a swim for it. It was so calm and peaceful here, but he had to at least try.

Kicking his legs, Duran swam through the inky blackness towards the light, Lumina urging him on more and more. Shade looked on from down below. "Yes, that's right. Come on! You're so close!" Duran continued to swim. It hurt. His legs, arms, chest, throat, everything ached. Yet it was so close now. So close...he couldn't...he wouldn't give in now!

Upon breaking the water's surface, Duran immediately gasped for air, letting oxygen fill his lungs. He wearily looked around, seeing no one close by. The moon was full in the sky, and instead of stormy waters and fog, a serene sight of a still ocean and a moonlit sky with stars hung above him. So so lovely...and he was so tired.

He didn't even notice the pair of arms that grabbed and held him close to them; the world had faded away.

Note: Speaking of FF6, I realized that Duran's healing is quite similar to what that old guy did to Rachel, only the conditions are somewhat different. Yes, I'll admit it's sort of there to give Duran a distinction between his and Charlotte's powers, as when Duran can cast healing light, it's limited, while Charlotte doesn't need a class change to heal.

Also, while it probably won't be brought up a lot, I've been thinking of some things regarding Duran and Faerie's connection with each other, as she is a group member too. And seeing as the two are instead attached, perhaps she has some more insight into certain things than the others regarding Duran's more inner feelings. True, I touched on this, but I'd like to explore it more.

Also, while it'd probably be written after this story is complete (when that'll be, who knows, but it WILL be done!), I plan on making a small story involving Faerie's relationship with Duran.

That said, forgive me for going on tangents on projects I have no business starting as I'm deep into this one already, yet here's hoping you enjoyed this section on the Ghost Ship!

Next is another catching up, and after that, it's to Beuca Island!