Josec could not understand the strange power he felt within him. There was so much silver lightning racing through his body but he could feel no pain. He also couldn't understand why Jo-lan had such a shocked expression on his face.
"I feel the power Jo-lan but what exactly am I supposed to be doing with it?" Josec asked.
"Just concentrate, you have not yet been assigned a Jo-lan class so the power will react on its own" Jo-lan informed Josec.
As Josec concentrated, he noticed the lightning taking three forms.
"What are those?" he wondered as the forms slowly materialized. "That's a sword, a shield and a staff" Josec realised.
"Josec Fenix, each of these artefacts represents a single Jo-lan class. Once you choose a class, you are bound to that class for life and your abilities arise from that class so you must choose carefully" Jo-lan informed Josec.
"Tell me about each class" Josec requested.
"I will tell you of each class starting from the strongest down to the weakest" Jo-lan said. Josec nodded.
"The strongest of the Jo-lan classes is the warrior class, represented by the sword. The abilities derived from this class are purely offensive… and destructive. I don't need to tell you that Innovain belongs to this class. If you wish to defeat him you would do well to choose this class" Jo-lan advised.
Josec remained silent.
"The next class to the strongest is the Magus class. With this class, you can call on supernatural powers to aid you. You could also influence events. It is not as limited as the warrior class and is well balanced. With Innovain as the exception, you could very easily defeat any opponent" Jo-lan informed Josec.
"But it's also a destructive class isn't it?" Josec asked.
"In the wrong hands, yes" Jo-lan answered.
"Tell me about the last class, the shield" Josec requested.
"It is the weakest Jo-lan class with almost no offensive powers… however, the defensive power of this class is as great as the offensive power of the warrior class. This class belongs to people who only wish to protect others. The power of this class if ever used for offense is, never lethal. If you choose this class, you must live with the reality that you will certainly never be able to defeat Innovain. No Jo-lan fighter throughout history has ever chosen this class" Jo-lan explained.
"Well then, I guess I'll be the first, I choose the defender class!" Josec declared with a determined laugh.
"Are you sure?" Jo-lan asked, not certain he had heard correctly.
"I'm absolutely sure!" Josec smiled.
"Tell me why?" Jo-lan asked.
"Three reasons; one, it's no fun to be all powerful. I want to work hard to gain my own power. Two, I promised my mother never to see fighting as a means of survival and three… I do this for all the Jo-lan fighters who have lost their lives to Innovain's and Souryu's malice. I cannot redeem them by being a destroyer like Innovain. I can only do this by being a protector of the weak and the innocent. Even with the defender class, I WILL DEFEAT INNOVAIN!" Josec declared.
"Then accept your DESTINY!" Jo-lan ordered.
Josec walked to the shield and picked it up. For a moment, he felt nothing. Then slowly, the shield turned into aura and enveloped his entire body. Then the aura disappeared. Jo-lan smiled.
"This boy might actually be able to do it" he thought.
"There is something I need to know Jo-lan. What is a Psychorage ability?" Josec asked.
"Psychorage ability is the ability to call on ancient legendary Jo-lan spirits to share their abilities with you. Psychorage unites the two consciousnesses into one" Jo-lan informed Josec.
"I don't really understand but I'll become a master of it someday" Josec said.
"I wonder what manner of Jo-lan spirit shared its power with him" Jo-lan thought silently. "You should be returning to your world now" he advised.
"My world? If this is not earth, then where is it?" Josec asked worriedly.
"This place is known as 'Time's Requiem.' All events that have happened so far can be viewed in this place. This place however is not susceptible to time so you will find that not a second has passed on earth since you've been here" Jo-lan informed Josec.
"Is that so? Then I should be getting back now…but how do I get out of here?" Josec wondered.
"Don't worry about that. You've just got to think of where you want to be and the book will do the rest" Jo-lan explained.
Josec shut his eyes and pictured the outskirts of Ferus Village. He felt strange for a moment but when he opened his eyes, he was indeed at the outskirts of the village and the book was tucked away in his shirt. Josec looked at his watch. It was a little gizmo his grandfather had invented for him as a birthday present.
"Wow, it's already three o'clock. It's time for extra classes already!" he exclaimed as he dashed towards school
Meanwhile in Marisco Senior High, the students were beginning to settle for extra classes. Harry sat behind an empty desk. He glared at Buern angrily but she didn't seem to care.
"Where are you Jo? You've got to get over your fear of flames" Harry thought to himself.
As the students sat in the class, psyching themselves up for the afternoon classes, the bell rang for classes to resume. No sooner had the bell been tolled than Sir Exiguous Ogidigidi charged into the classroom. He was the English master.
"Ogidigidi! Exiguous! Gidiflex! Ogidious!" the students cheered in excitement. They liked Sir Ogidigidi for the humorous expressions he liked to use when teaching.
"Stop this nonsensical hullabaloo! You are acting like a bunch of deranged pelicans!" Sir Ogidigidi began to blast the class.
The students burst into laughter. Even Buern could not help but chuckle at Sir Ogidigidi's feigned seriousness.
"Now to get down to serious business, who can remind the class of the previous lesson" Sir Ogidigidi asked the class.
Jiji and Eghan raised their hands.
"Yes Jiji, remind the class" Sir Ogidigidi pointed.
"I quite remember…uh…um…what was it again?" Jiji wondered.
"You intellectually bankrupt human being! Don't raise your hands just to say 'I quite remember!' Do you have your brains in your stomach or what?!" Sir Ogidigidi yelled angrily.
"Hahaha! Brains in your stomach! That's a good one Gidi!" Harry laughed uncontrollably.
"Eghan, I'm sure you can remember" Sir Ogidigidi called Eghan.
"Of course I do!" Eghan exclaimed as he stood up gallantly.
"The previous lesson was on literary devices! Or maybe clauses or phrases…or maybe comprehension…or maybe summary…or maybe composition…or maybe…" Eghan continued.
"Aye-yi-yi, this class is wandering in the quagmire of utter and complete hopelessness" Sir Ogidigidi shook his head gravely.
Buern raised her hand.
"Yes Buern, I'm sure you know it. You are by far the most sensible student in this class" Sir Ogidigidi complimented her.
"C'mon Exigy! You're hurting our feelings" Harry said mischievously.
Buern stood up.
"Our previous lesson was on literary devices. To be exact, we were dealing with the definition of a metaphor and how different it is from a simile" Buern said.
"You hit the nail on the head. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me" Sir Ogidigidi praised Buern.
"Yeah yeah, we all know how much of a Miss-Smarty-Pants Vane is. You don't need to remind us" Harry said in a bored tone.
Buern frowned at him.
Suddenly, Innovain's voice rang in her head.
"Buern, I'm taking matters into my hands. I've sent Ysmann to raid your school for the next generation of Jo-lan fighters. He'll be there any second from now. Focus on gaining Fenix's friendship. That's as far as you should proceed for now. From here on out, you are to view me only as Lord Innovain. Till you can prove yourself as the succeeding Souryu, you cannot return to the castle as my daughter. Only as an adversary and we'll have no more father-daughter chats. I'll view your progress with my Ryuugan(Dragon Eye)" Innovain's voice said to Buern.
Buern seemed distressed but she didn't complain.
"I understand…Lord Innovain" Buern said.
"That's it child. Make your father proud" Innovain said as he cut his telepathic link with Buern.
No sooner had the link been cut than Ysmann burst into the class with about fifty men and Joki sensors. The Joki sensors were animals that looked very much like hounds. They were also referred to as Bloodhounds because of their ability to sense the Joki(Jo-lan energy) pulsing through the veins of anyone. As the walls of the class crumbled to the ground, the students ran outside to safety.
Ysmann wore his crimson mask so that his identity would not be exposed but Harry knew his dad and he was determined to stop him and protect the students. When everyone was outside, Ysmann's men surrounded them on all sides.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Buern yelled angrily.
"Pardon our intrusion, we've only come to kidnap the Jo-lan fighters among you" Ysmann said.
"Tch! Like you can tell which of us have Joki within us!" Harry yelled.
"I can. See these bloodhounds? They can sense the Joki within a person's body. So let's see which of you have Joki running within your veins" Ysmann said as he motioned to his men to release the Bloodhounds. Immediately the Bloodhounds were released, they charged on the students and pushed many of them to the ground.
"One, two, three, four…, whoa there are over fifty of you that possess Jo-lan abilities. Innovain will be pleased. Apprehend them!" Ysmann ordered his men.
"First you'll have to go through me!" Harry roared.
"And me!" Buern backed him up.
"If this is one of your Souryu-like acts, you can drop it; I don't need your help!" Harry said angrily.
"Ah, dissension within the ranks I see. You young ones have a lot to learn" Ysmann said cunningly.
"Shut up! What do you hope to gain by kidnapping us?!" Harry yelled.
"You should ask Lord Innovain when you are in his presence. I'm just following orders" Ysmann said.
"Enough with the mind games!" Buern yelled as she charged to attack Ysmann.
Ysmann's men gathered to defend him but he motioned to them to let him handle the situation.
"They need to see how futile resistance is" Ysmann said as he evaded Buern's attacks.
Then when he saw an opening, he punched her in the gut and just as she clutched her stomach from the pain, he delivered a spinning kick that sent her flying. She fell to the ground at Harry's feet.
"Need some help Vane?" Harry asked.
He was actually enjoying watching Buern get beaten. (Perhaps he inherited some evil genes).
"I don't need your help!" Buern yelled as she stood up.
"Vane, how about we take this to the next level?" Harry suggested.
"The wisest thing you've said all day Bane" Buern said as she and Harry began to display their aura.
"Wonderful" Ysmann said with a half-smile as he displayed a humongous amount of Joki.
Buern and Harry stared at him in shock.
"Let me show you how pointless it is to resist! RAGING FIRE TECHNIQUE!!!" Ysmann roared as he engulfed Buern and Harry in intense flames.
They screamed in pain and collapsed.
As Josec walked towards the school, he began to get bad vibes. First he felt a crushing pain in his chest followed by shivers running up and down his spine. When he examined his hand, he noticed that goose pimples had appeared.
"What's with these bad vibes?" he wondered.
As he neared the school, he could see that it was in bad shape almost as though a terrible earthquake had rocked the school. He rushed to the school grounds and met a girl from his class.
"Cecily! What happened here?" he asked.
She seemed to have been crying for a while.
"I-Innovain's men. They attacked the school and kidnapped over fifty students. They were after those with Jo-lan abilities…and…and my brother Julian was among them" she cried.
"And what of Buern and Harry?" Josec asked.
"They beat Buern and Harry and took them away unconscious" Cecily said.
Josec squeezed his fist tightly. Cecily noticed this.
"Please Josec, you've got to help them! Save my brother!" Cecily pleaded in tears.
"Don't cry Cecily, I already have a plan. I'm going to make Innovain release them!" Josec said with a laugh.
"Really, a plan? You're so great Josec! What's your plan?" Cecily asked.
"I'll…"Josec said seriously.
"You will…" Cecily urged him on.
"I'll try to reason with Innovain. If he doesn't listen I'll beat him up it's just as simple as that" Josec said.
Cecily began to cry again.
"So it's hopeless after all" she said.
"I'm kidding Cecily. I promise…I'll get them out" Josec said.
"You've got to because after seeing how badly they beat up Buern and Harry, I'm worried about Julian" Cecily said worriedly.
"They did what?!" Josec yelled angrily.
"They burnt them badly with their Jo-lan techniques till they reached their limits and then they beat them till they lost consciousness" Cecily narrated the horrible event.
"I can understand them beating Harry, he's a tough guy but…I'll never forgive them for hurting Buern!" Josec said angrily. He was trembling with fury. And then, without thinking he turned and ran towards Innovain's castle.
Buern opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the dark damp dungeon, then the heavy chains binding her arms, feet and waist. Then suddenly, like lightning, she felt an overwhelming pain run through her body. It was so painful that tears began to stream down her eyes and she was chained so tightly that she couldn't even shake the pain off.
"Stop crying Vane, you finally got to taste a bit of your father's true nature" Harry teased.
"Oh great, all the hundred dungeons and I get stuck with you" Buern struggled to say.
"Buern! Harry! Are you guys okay?" voices called.
"Yeah, we're fine" Harry answered.
"Speak for yourself!" Buern yelled and burst into tears.
"What's wrong with you Vane?" Harry stared at her in surprise.
"I can't believe he actually disowned me!" Buern cried.
"Took him long enough" Harry sighed.
"What's that supposed to mean Bane?!" Buern glared at him.
"Seems like you are the only one who does not know the true nature of Innovain. He just uses you until he doesn't need you anymore and then he throws you away like trash" Harry said.
"Shut up! You don't know him!" Buern yelled angrily.
"Actually, Harry is right. Even I can testify to that. Don't worry though, you're only bait. Lord Innovain has a bigger fish in mind" Ysmann suddenly appeared and said.
"Fenix!" Buern exclaimed.
"Oh so you knew about this all along? Why am I not surprised?" Harry muttered in disgust.
"But I thought taking care of Fenix was my job!" Buern yelled angrily.
"Actually, it was until Lord Innovain discovered your incompetence. It was by your own words, when you said Fenix was powerless. How could you not notice the humongous amount of power he kept releasing wherever he went" Ysmann said.
"What?! So Bane's words back then were true?" Buern said in surprise as she recalled Harry telling her that Josec's power was beyond their imagination.
"So even Bane noticed when you couldn't and you call yourself 'The Succeeding Souryu,' how pathetic!" Ysmann scoffed.
Buern felt ashamed.
"If Harry could sense Josec's power even when I couldn't…then it means…I'm weaker than him" Buern thought as she bit her lower lip in sorrow.
"I see you understand the situation you're in" Ysmann said seriously.
"But Josec isn't a fool! He won't fall into such an obvious trap! You have underestimated him" Buern said angrily.
Ysmann watched her for a while as though he pitied her.
"It is you who has underestimated Fenix. I've watched him grow from afar. He is a determined fool who would even dare to go up against Innovain to save those he loves" Ysmann said as he walked away.
Immediately he left, Buern collapsed from the pain
In Buern's subconscious state, she could see herself as a little girl, surrounded by darkness and all alone. She was weeping and a huge double-headed dragon was mocking her suffering.
"You can never be happy Buern Vane. There is no such thing as love in this world. There is only pain, loss and tears. If you do not want to experience these, then you must give up all your own petty emotions and surrender only to hatred" the dragon told her.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I am the Twin Dragon Souryu. People call me Kuroi Ryuu because I am black in both body and spirit" Souryu said.
Buern stared at Souryu in fear. The huge black dragon laughed and suddenly, an immense pain shot through Buern's body. She screamed in pain.
"Wh-what is this pain?" she struggled to speak.
"That pain is love" Souryu mocked.
Buern couldn't bear the pain any longer. She felt as though she was about to die. Just as she was about to collapse, she noticed a bright light flashing behind her. She turned around and saw a figure cloaked in light walking towards her.
"Buern!" the figure called.
She shielded her eyes from the light.
"How do you know my name?" she asked.
"How dare you intrude PHOENIX?!" Souryu roared in anger.
The figure ignored him and continued to walk towards Buern. Souryu blew black flames towards the figure but the figure simply walked through the flames.
Buern stared at the figure in awe. She was fascinated by its light and strength. Soon, the figure stood in front of her. She tried to see its face but she couldn't. The light was just too bright. She noticed that the figure wasn't very tall. It was just a little taller than she was.
"I can't see your face. Please tell me who you are" Buern pleaded.
The figure chuckled, "You already know me" it said.
"I do?" Buern wondered.
"Yes. You haven't noticed me because you have been surrounded by darkness, hate and pain" the figure said.
"But I don't want darkness, hate and pain. Please help me. The pain is killing me" Buern pleaded.
"Buern, do you want the light? If I give you the light, you will gain love, joy and courage…but you must also accept sorrow, guilt and pain" the figure said to her.
"But…" Buern said reluctantly.
"Don't worry, the pain will be different. And the darkness will no longer rule you" the figure said to her.
"Really?" Buern asked.
"I promise. Plus you'll be able to see me" the figure said.
"I will?!" Buern exclaimed excitedly.
"You will" the figure said.
"Please give me the light" Buern pleaded as she stretched out her hand.
The figure reached out and took her hand. There was a sudden burst of silver light as the light from the figure flowed through Buern. Black flames escaped from her body and she also began to glow. She felt her heart racing faster and faster and she began to laugh. Warmth enveloped her and all her pain disappeared. It was a wonderful feeling.
"Thank you…" Buern said as she looked at her rescuer. "I know you…" she said as the light around the figure became fainter. She could see the figure's smile first, then its tears. Finally, she saw its face.
"You're Fenix!" Buern exclaimed in surprise.
"Heh heh! Call me Josec. Fenix is the name I'm called by anytime I'm in trouble" Josec said as he took Buern's hand and led her into the light.
"Buern! Buern! Wake up Buern!" a voice called to her.
Buern slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurred but the darkness told her that she was still in the dungeon.
"Buern!" the voice called again. The voice sounded strangely familiar. She rubbed her eyes and looked up. Her vision slowly became focused.
"Fenix?" she stared at Josec in surprise.
"Call me Josec, Fenix is the name I'm called by anytime I'm in trouble" Josec said with a laugh.
It was then that Buern noticed that her pain was completely gone.
"Th-the pain…it's completely gone" Buern said in surprise.
"What did you do Fenix?" Buern asked.
"Well I snuck into the castle to…" Josec was saying when Buern interrupted him.
"That's not what I mean. Did you heal me?" Buern asked.
"Heal you? I'm not sure of what you're talking about. All I did was lay my hand on your forehead" Josec said.
"Of course he healed you. He took my pain away too. How did you do it Jo?" Harry asked.
"Are you guys sure you're talking about me?" Josec seemed confused.
"If you don't want to tell us, it's okay!" Buern said angrily.
Josec winced.
"Anyway, let's get outta here fast" Harry suggested.
Josec unlocked Buern's chains with a set of keys he stole from one of the guards he knocked out.
"How did you manage to come so far?" Buern asked.
"Well, I'm not the son of Vega Fenix for nothing you know?" Josec said as he hurried to free the other students.
Buern watched Josec comfort the prisoners and free them. His kindness made her angry.
"You are a fool Josec" she said.
Josec turned to look at her.
"Do you realize that you've walked into Innovain's trap?!" Buern yelled.
"I know but it's not in my nature to think before helping people. Besides, these are my friends, I can't abandon them. We rise together, we fall together" Josec said.
"That makes you an even bigger fool. People are selfish. They only care for themselves. You can't trust anyone but yourself" Buern yelled.
Josec unchained another student silently and smiled.
"Don't worry, we'll get out together, I promise" he said.
"Answer me Josec!" Buern yelled.
Josec turned to look at her.
"You are strong Buern, really strong" Josec said as though he was lost in thought.
"Don't tell me what I already know!" Buern yelled.
Josec smiled.
"Fine then, let me answer you with a single question" Josec said as he pointed to Buern.
"All your strength, all your power, what will you use it for? If power is everything, what will you do once you succeed in intimidating everyone?" Josec asked.
Buern gasped.
"Yes Buern, you will not be able to do anything great. You will only be consumed by loneliness. Having a friend is like being a tree with strong roots planted amongst other trees. No matter how strong the winds of adversity blow, you can always find more strength in having a friend. Having one true friend is like doubling your strength. Having multiple friends is like having an infinite supply of strength" Josec explained.
"How very sentimental. Can you prove your words?" a sinister voice suddenly said.
"Who…?" Josec wondered as he turned around.
"Ysmann!" Josec exclaimed.
"Can your friends truly give you an infinite supply of power?" Ysmann said with a sarcastic laugh.
"Everyone! Run!" Josec ordered and the other students began to run away.
Ysmann seemed unperturbed.
He simply allowed them to leave the dungeon. Harry frowned at his father.
"Harry! C'mon! Let's get outta here" Josec called.
Harry turned. Then he, Josec and Buern led the students into the castle courtyard.
"There is the gate! We are almost out of here" Josec exclaimed.
Suddenly, a dark blast of fire hit the ground in front of them. The students all froze.
"That's as far as you will go" a sinister voice sounded behind them.
"There is no mistaking that voice! It's…it's him! Innovain!" Josec said as he turned to face the evil warlord.
Innovain was floating in mid-air.
"How long has it been since that fateful day…Josec Fenix?" Innovain said with a sly smile.
Josec was shivering from head to foot. Painful memories flashed in his mind. Buern and Harry stared at him.
"I feel like watching a live replay from that day. Let's see, all the actors are present. I'm here, you're here, all that's left is two deaths. So who will be the victims?" Innovain asked with a wicked smile as his feet made contact with the ground.
The students parted as Innovain walked in a straight line towards Josec.
"So tell me Josec, which two friends do you treasure most?" Innovain asked.
Josec's body began to tremble even more.
"You promised. You promised not to hurt any more of my loved ones if I manage to carry my dad's body all the way home without dropping him even once. I carried out your twisted order so now you have to keep your word!" Josec yelled in rage.
"He did what?!" Buern exclaimed in shock.
"I never promised to spare anyone but you and your mother" Innovain said as he suddenly appeared in front of Josec.
"Show me your power, Fenix!" Innovain said as he gave Josec a blow to the side of his head with the back of his fist.
Josec flew sideways and fell to the ground, rolling for quite a distance and losing consciousness in the process.
"Josec!" Harry and Buern exclaimed in concern.
"Guess what Fenix? I have found the two actors that are going to die" Innovain said as he pointed to Harry and Buern.
"H-he can't be serious!" Buern exclaimed in shock.
"Why am I not surprised?!" Harry roared as he made a fighting stance.
Buern seemed hesitant at first but she decided that since she did not know Innovain's true intentions, she would play along.
"Oh? So you're prepared to fight me are you? I admire your courage but…I won't let you live" Innovain said as he walked towards them.
Buern took a step back but Harry stood his ground.
"Well come on, I haven't got all day you know?" Innovain urged them on.
Harry charged to attack first. He gave a flying kick but Innovain simply phased to the left and Harry missed. Innovain kept walking towards Buern. Harry charged from behind and delivered a high punch but Innovain evaded without looking back. Buern charged in as well. She was so angry that her fighting style seemed unbalanced.
"You have a lot of rage within you but you are not depending on it. Why is that…Vane?" Innovain asked coldly.
Tears began to flow down Buern's face. She charged towards Innovain and gave a high kick.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" she kept screaming with each attack.
Innovain blocked all her attacks.
"That's…excellent" he said as he wrapped his hands around Buern's neck and lifted her off the ground.
Josec regained consciousness. He could hear Buern's screams and gasps. He shook his head to clear his blurred vision and stared in the direction of the voices. Buern was being strangled by Innovain.
"Let her go you jerk!" Josec yelled as he charged to attack Innovain.
"How foolish" Innovain said as he blasted Josec with dark flames.
Josec fell to the ground but he stood up again. Innovain turned to look at Harry. Harry looked hopeless. Innovain smiled and stretched his other hand towards Harry. Harry opened his eyes in horror and in the next moment, dark lightning was coursing through his body from Innovain's hand.
"Let them go!" Josec yelled as he charged to attack Innovain but Innovain shot lightning from his eyes and blasted Josec further back.
"I must warn you Josec. Your two friends will be dead in exactly two minutes. It will be impossible for you to save both of them without Jo-lan abilities. You can either save your own life and abandon them or concentrate your efforts into saving one of them. It's a question of who you hold dearer" Innovain said with an unpleasant smile.
"Who would…" Josec muttered.
"Did you say something" Innovain mocked.
"Who would…WHO WOULD ABANDON HIS FRIENDS?!!" Josec roared as he charged to attack Innovain.
By the time one minute passed, he was severely beaten up. He lay on the ground on the verge of losing consciousness.
"Is this how it's going to end for me? Will I die without being able to protect a single person? I hate this" Josec thought as tears began to flow down his face.
"Josec…escape with the other students…you…you don't need to try and save me. You've already saved me" Buern struggled to say as tears flowed down her face.
"Buern" Josec called sadly.
"She's right Josec. For once I agree with Vane. You can do more for this world than any of us. Run!" Harry encouraged.
"Thank you Josec" Buern and Harry said together.
Josec wept.
"Josec" a familiar voice called.
"What?" Josec wondered.
"Yours is not the power to destroy but the power to protect. Don't give up… until the very last moment. Never give up, not even when you die" his father's voice rang in his head.
Josec stood up.
"You are both right, Buern, Harry. I can probably do more for this world. I could probably save this world…but… I'LL START BY SAVING YOU!" Josec roared as he charged to attack Innovain.
"It's futile!" Innovain said as he prepared to electrocute Josec.
But just before the sparks hit Josec, he seemed to split into two Josecs. One Josec deflected Innovain's hand away from Harry and the other hit Innovain's elbow joint so hard that he was forced to release Buern. Josec caught Buern in his hands and leapt away from Innovain. Buern was gasping for air.
"Are you alright?" Josec asked worriedly.
"I'll be fine" Buern said.
Josec placed her on the ground. The other students were still paralyzed with fear. Josec glanced at them and turned to face Buern.
"Buern, guide the other students out of this place with Harry. I'll try to buy you some time" Josec said.
"Stop saying senseless things, you won't be able to buy us enough time on your own. We'll do this together" Buern scolded.
"I don't want to watch you die Buern. I just can't. It will be too painful for me. I lost my dad. I won't lose you or Harry" Josec declared.
Buern stared at him in surprise as a strange feeling washed over her. She placed her hand on her heart and smiled. Her heart was beating fast.
"Is this how it feels like to have a friend?" she asked Josec.
Josec smiled.
"That's just a part of it" Josec replied.
"It feels nice" Buern said.
Innovain watched her with a slight smile.
"How did you save them both at the same time?" Innovain asked.
"I just believed and I did" Josec declared.
He hadn't realized that he had just used a more advanced version of his father's ultra-speed move, Killer Ghost Switch.
"Then I'll end your life the same way I ended your father's!" Innovain roared as his eyes turned dark with orange vertical slits for pupils.
Black aura engulfed him and he transformed into Souryu. The only exception was that this time it was double-headed.
"That's Innovain's Psychorage ability" Josec informed them.
"I'll just destroy you all with one strike!" Souryu roared.
"Don't bet on it! I'll never let you! Even if it takes all the life within me…I WILL DEFINITELY PROTECT MY FRIENDS! PSYCHORAGE…" Josec began.
"What is he doing?" Buern exclaimed.
"He couldn't possibly…!" Harry exclaimed in shock.
"…ABILITY! SILVER PHOENIX LEGEND!!!" Josec roared as tremendous lightning sparks flashed from his body.
His eyes turned bright white with golden slits for pupils and silver wings sprang from his back. With a loud shriek and a sudden outburst of energy, Josec completely transformed into a silver phoenix just as huge as Innovain's Souryu transformation.
"What's this?!" Buern exclaimed in shock.
"How could an inexperienced person like Josec manage a full form Psychorage transformation?!" Harry exclaimed in even more shock.
"This is very interesting. Show me the full extent of your power Fenix!" Innovain roared as he flew into the air.
Josec pursued him and they began an aerial battle. The students just stared in shock. Innovain whipped the phoenix with his arrow-shaped dragon tail. The phoenix shrieked and struck the dragon with its sharp talons. Then it shot a powerful bolt of lightning from its mouth. The lightning hit the dragon. The dragon roared in pain and blew a jet of fire which the phoenix evaded.
"Very interesting Fenix. It seems you've somehow managed to keep up with me for this long. However, I will end this with my next move…" Innovain said with a slight dragon-like smile.
It seemed that the fight was not only being watched by the students but by the townspeople as well. Josec's mother who immediately realized that the phoenix was her son quickly rushed to the castle displaying unique speed and agility along the way.
"Are you ready phoenix?!" Innovain roared.
"Is he going to use that ability? NO JOSEC! GET OUT OF THERE! FLY AWAY!" Buern screamed as loud as she could.
"What technique are you talking about?" Harry asked.
"My father… he has mastered the Souryu limit-break!" Buern exclaimed.
"WHAT?!" Harry roared.
"Limit-breaks are…" Buern began to explain but Harry cut her off.
"I know what they are. They are advanced Jo-lan abilities beyond Psychorage abilities. They are high risk techniques that push a man beyond his human limitations and the energy required to perform one is incredible. Using a Psychorage ability consumes two-thirds of a mortal's energy. But to perform a limit break after a Psychorage is just insane. It's like begging for death! It consumes a person's life force and significantly reduces their lifespan" Harry explained. "Innovain should not be able to perform a limit-break in his present state. Perhaps he is only bluffing" Harry said with a laugh.
"I wish that were true. I know my father and he's not bluffing. We've got to warn Josec" Buern said worriedly.
"JOSEC! JOSEC! FLY AWAY! GET OUT OF HERE!!!" Buern and Harry screamed at the top of their voices.
"There's no point in trying to escape now! It's already too late for you! I call upon the darkest powers of the twin dragon Souryu! BLACK LIMIT-BREAK ABILITY…" Innovain concentrated deeply.
The phoenix charged to attack him.
"RAGNAROK!!!" Innovain roared as a huge outburst of energy engulfed his body.
A huge earthquake rocked the entire town and darkness covered the sky. Harry, Buern and the students fell to the ground. Innovain concentrated all his power into his lungs. Buern noticed that his chest was glowing.
"Here comes Ragnarok. If it hits Josec, he is absolutely as good as dead" Buern said.
The energy rose into Innovain's mouth. He took a deep breath, aimed for the phoenix and shot a beam of dark flames. The phoenix tried to evade the attack but the flames suddenly spread out like a net and engulfed it. The phoenix shrieked in pain.
What's happening?!" Harry asked.
"Calling upon Ragnarok is like summoning death itself. It's consuming Josec's life force" Buern explained.
"Break free Josec! You can do it!" Harry yelled.
The phoenix struggled and struggled but it was losing energy too quickly. Souryu reverted back to Innovain's human form and Innovain descended to the ground. He watched the phoenix's agony with pleasure. The phoenix slowly began to revert back to Josec. Josec was screaming in pain and suddenly, he lost his wings and fell to the ground. Harry, Buern and the students watched in horror as Josec hit the ground and lay still. His clothes were badly torn and he had deep wounds on his body. Buern and Harry rushed to his side.
"Josec! Josec! Wake up! Hey buddy!" Harry called frantically.
Buern just stared in horror. She could feel her heart hurting and she found it hard to breathe. That feeling was familiar to her. She still didn't know what it was though till she felt tears streaming down her eyes. She knelt beside Josec. The other students were frozen with fear.
"I've finally rid myself of you as I did your father" Innovain said.
"Josec, I'm so sorry. I never meant for it to turn out this way" Buern apologized.
Her eyes felt like a dam that was about to overflow with tears any moment.
"If you're pretending, don't! Just don't! When will you get that there are people in this world that actually care for Josec. You and your father have made his life miserable for many years. If you are sorry, how do you think his mother will feel when she finds out about her son's death. She's all alone in this world now thanks to you!" Harry accused Buern.
This only made Buern feel worse.
"Right now, I wish with all my heart that I was just pretending but I'm not. I wish this was all just a nightmare but the pain is real and I understand one thing. Josec saved me from the darkness" Buern said.
Suddenly, Josec's mother ran into the castle.
"Josec!" she called.
Then she saw her son lying motionless on the ground.
"No!" she gasped as she ran to his side.
"Innovain! What have you done?!" she screamed.
"Crushed a bothersome fowl is all I've done" Innovain said nonchalantly.
Josec's mother placed her hand on his forehead.
"You must live Josec. If you die, all the hopes of the Jo-lan will die with you for you embody the true heart of Jo-lan, light, love, courage and hope as well as compassion, kindness and the will to never give up. You will live to fight another day, but for now your life must be preserved. Harry, Buern, take this map and this letter. Take Josec and leave this village. You can also have these five hundred gold coins. Head south till you reach the port town of Wusihen. Board a ship to the Eastern continent of Avalon. There you will find a great number of allies that will help you in different ways. Find a man named Fencer. He will teach you all you need to know about Jo-lan. You will be safe from Innovain's troops in that continent. Try not to get yourselves killed. Leave now. I'll buy you some time" Josec's mother ordered.
"They are not going anywhere" Innovain said with a smile.
"With the stunt you just pulled, you have no power left to psychorage. You won't be much of a challenge" Josec's mother insulted.
"Don't underestimate me" Innovain said.
"Escort these students and their families away from this village. You can part ways in the nearest village" Josec's mother said.
Harry carried Josec unto his back and they left the castle. Josec's mother engaged Innovain in combat so they were able to escape easily. After rounding up the families of the students who were caught, Buern and Harry led them out of Ferus Village. They travelled for miles before arriving at the fortified town of Gate.
"I guess we'll part ways here" one of the students said.
"I never actually believed Josec could save you guys" Cecily said.
Julian placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Will Josec be alright?" Cecily asked.
"I don't know, I hope so" Buern said worriedly.
"Most of us have families in this village so we won't burden you guys any longer" Julian said.
"I think we should find an inn first and get some rest, then we can find a doctor to examine Josec" Harry suggested.
Buern agreed and they searched the town for an inn. They soon found one. It was quite big yet very simple looking. They entered the inn and found the innkeeper.
"Will you be staying for the night?" the innkeeper asked.
"Yes but I don't know for how long we'll be staying" Buern said.
"You see…our friend is badly injured and we don't know when he'll recover so we don't know how long we'll stay in this inn but we can't stay for too long.
"We'll leave as soon as our friend recovers" Harry said worriedly.
"It will cost you fifty gold coins each for one night, not including feeding expenses" the innkeeper said.
"Whoa, that's quite expensive" Harry said worriedly.
"Your future is quite uncertain, I suggest you look for jobs" the innkeeper suggested.
"Is there vacancy in this inn" Buern asked.
"No, but there is vacancy in a restaurant quite close by" the innkeeper informed them.
"I'll take that job!" Buern quickly said.
"Have you ever cooked before?" Harry asked mockingly.
"Not really but I can learn" Buern said excitedly.
"I've never seen you excited or sad about anything in your life. Perhaps there is hope for you yet" Harry laughed.
"You kids seem like good people so I will let you stay one night in my inn for free" the innkeeper said.
"Really?! Thanks!" Harry said excitedly.
"I'll show you to your rooms" the innkeeper said as he led them upstairs and showed them three rooms.
"It's nice but we only need two rooms, I'll stay with Josec" Harry said.
He and Buern entered one room and lay Josec on the bed.
"Stay with Josec. I'm off to buy us some food" Harry said as he left the room.
"Harry, I think you should find a doctor first" Buern suggested.
"Yeah, I'll find a doctor and some food. My stomach's killing me" Harry complained.
After he had left, Buern sat on a chair and watched Josec hopefully.
"Wow, so much has happened today. Just this morning, I didn't feel hesitant to turn Josec and Harry in to Sir Somili. I even despised friendship and here I am, now friends with both of them and totally content. Totally happy…happy, I didn't know how it felt to be happy until Josec rescued me. I wonder what the future has in store for us" Buern thought silently.
"Josec, you've got to recover quickly so that we can escape from this continent. My dad will not hesitate to find us. I hope your mom is okay" Buern said.
Harry searched the town for a doctor. He ran into Cecily who informed him that she knew a Jo-lan student who had healing abilities. So they went to find the student. He was one of the people Josec had saved and he was willing to help them. Harry, Cecily and the student hurried back to the inn. Buern was still watching over Josec when they arrived.
"Wow, you're back so soon?" Buern asked.
"I found the doctor, a Jo-lan healer to be precise" Harry said.
"There's no such thing. I belong to the Jo-lan class of Magus. Healing however is a gift I had even before I knew anything about Jo-lan. I'm Alan by the way" the boy said.
"Can you help Josec?" Buern asked.
"If he's still alive, yes" Alan said as he examined Josec.
"His wounds are serious. I'll see what I can do" Alan said as he stretched his hands over Josec.
A faint green light streamed from his hands and surrounded Josec. For a while, nothing seemed to happen and then slowly but surely, Josec's wounds began to close up and soon he looked like he was never hurt.
"That's all I can do. I don't understand why he's not waking up though"
"I think he's a bit low on energy" Buern said.
"Thanks for your help, Alan, Cecily, I'll escort you out" Harry said as he left the room.
"Josec, you've got to wake up really soon or you'll die. You've been weakened severely. Without food or water…you'll die" Buern thought in distress.