"Born of wind, free as air
Not of hate, nor of fear
Visible, yet intangible
Like a long forgotten memory.
Like a dream long lost I wait.
I await the one who listens to the wind
My sole purpose is to obey him
Who lost his past, yet clung to the future.
He calls, I hear, but cannot obey.
Not until Life meets Death,
And destiny triumphs.
Only then shall I wear my pride
As the King Of The Air"
PORT OF IMPERIUM: A WEEK LATER
Harry had been wandering the city for the past week trying to find anyone brave enough and willing to help him confront Asmodeus but all the men were afraid. Finally, he had resolved to go on his own. He left for the Port Of Imperium hoping to find any sailors willing to take him to his destination, Skeleton Island but no sailor was willing to risk their ship. It was sunset, the first day of the week. The ships remained docked. The seagulls flew about, a distance away, seeking their final meal for the day. The sailors seemed dissatisfied with the present situation but carried on their final duties as they prepared to head home. As Harry sat on the bay, thinking of what to do, Jo-lan appeared to him.
"Jo-lan! What are you doing here?" he asked with a surprised look.
"Gryphon was a little harsh with you. You've been trying your best. You know, before the decisive battle between the phoenix and Souryu, there existed an additional Jo-lan class" Jo-lan informed Harry.
"Really? You've never told me that" Harry sighed with a disinterested look in his eyes.
"I've never told anyone. Back then, among all the Psychorages that fought valiantly to subdue Souryu…there was one whose honour far surpassed the rest. He was Gryphon, the Lord Of The Air. When all other Psychorages gave up on defeating Souryu, Gryphon's spirit, like an unbent arrow, set in its path, would not sway. But Gryphon never defeated Souryu…not materially anyway, but all the same, never was he once trampled down by Souryu. Many times, though he'd fall, he'd always rise. So immense was his spiritual fortitude that a time came when Gryphon and Souryu would battle for seven hundred and thirty days, and nights. It was after this battle, that Souryu acknowledged Gryphon as his one true nemesis. Whenever Souryu would threaten humanity, Gryphon would leap into battle; a combination of unmatched speed, like that of an eagle, and regality surpassing any lion. But in one such battle, Gryphon was injured, almost fatally. On the verge of death, he saw a form that had never existed in any world; it was the Crimson Phoenix. This mysterious creature showed Gryphon what mankind could be if only they accepted the courage God was offering them. Fear causes all human wars and this fear stems from ignorance. "Only when Life meets Death and Destiny triumphs will a path open to Souryu's defeat". Gryphon was blessed with a communion with the Phoenix. When Gryphon awakened, he was being cared for by your ancestor, Lucas Bane. Gryphon was intrigued. Why would a human who dreaded Souryu's malice dare care for Souryu's nemesis? Lucas informed Gryphon that the Crimson Bird showed him the future.
'Gryphon, you will fight a great battle with the rest of humanity against the Black Dragon. You alone shall become the Phoenix's consciousness and though you will triumph, no one will ever recall your deeds. No one will recall the one who united them and led them towards hope. In time, all that will remain of you will be a myth that will fade away'.
Those were Lucas' words and they were fulfilled. Though Gryphon was the single consciousness that bound humanity together, transforming their hope into the Crimson Phoenix, this world's symbol of hope, he was forgotten. No one recalled the King Of The Air who fought to defend them. All everyone recalled…were their own deeds in battle. And as Gryphon became a myth, so did the Holy Class Of Jo-lan that shared itself with those that bound themselves with him. Gryphon then became the sword no one could carry. Gryphon is the Psychorage that chooses its owner and not the other way round. Many know him as 'Excalibur' but he has another name, his true name. Though figuring it out is solely your responsibility. Regardless of the torment it would cause him, Gryphon accepted his fate, became what you now consider a myth and hid himself within the Holiest part of Lucas' Book Of Jo-lan. He accepted his past and remains forgotten. The reason he won't acknowledge you is that you are now treading the very same road his actions paved, yet unlike him…you are still bound by your past" Jo-lan narrated.
"I don't care what he thinks of me. I can understand why he acts all high and mighty but unlike him, regardless of whether I accept my past or not, I'll keep treading forward!" Harry declared.
"Interesting, so people like you exist even in this age? Tomorrow, I'll summon Marina and request that she help you. Of course, whether or not she does is entirely another matter" Jo-lan smiled and disappeared.
"Yeah, can't wait" Harry muttered as he stared into the sunset.
**** **** **** **** ****
That night, Harry lay in bed thinking. He was still under the protection of the Royal Family. He assumed, Jo-lan was the one making all the arrangements in the background.
"In our small Ferus Village, which we felt was our entire world, the only thing we had to deal with was Innovain's malice. Apparently, there is no place in the world safe from Souryu's dominion. The farther we escape from Innovain, the more we're pulled into the world of Psychorages and Jo-lan. Apparently, Imperium is another Wusihen. Though unlike in Wusihen, where we had to deal with the greed of the people and the mayor, here, it's fear that keeps this kingdom imprisoned" Harry thought. "Heh, if Josec were here, he'd probably laugh at me. What, with me thinking deeply about stuff, it's definitely going to be a well cracked joke to him" he thought with a smile and drifted into sleep.
**** **** **** **** ****
THE FOLLOWING DAY
Harry headed towards the Port. Whenever people became aware of his presence, they averted their gaze, almost as though they felt ashamed of their helplessness.
"It's no use asking any of these people. Their expressions tell me it's enough trouble struggling to keep their own hopes alive. But I've got to find a way to get myself to Skeleton Island" Harry thought.
As Harry arrived at the Port, he could make out two familiar figures in the distance.
"Hey Jo-lan! Marina!" he called happily.
"Harry, it's a relief to see you're alive" Marina greeted cheerfully.
She was in her human form. The sky still looked as though it was dawn. It was almost as though the sun were hiding. In the direction of Skeleton Island, gloomy clouds were gathering.
"Heh! I wouldn't die so easily!" Harry boasted with a laugh. "By the way, how are Buern and Josec? Where are they anyway?" Harry asked.
"They are worried sick about you. Buern's okay. Josec is still recovering from the storm but it's nothing serious. Josec believed with all his might, that you were alive" Marina said.
"Well that makes two of us" Harry said.
"They're in Southern Avalon in a coastal village called Coatl. You are in Imperium, Eastern Avalon" Marina explained.
"Do you know why you're here?" Harry asked.
Marina nodded.
"Jo-lan explained the situation to me" she said. "Are you sure you want to do this Harry? Asmodeus may be a ridiculous Psychorage however…Anubis is an entire other story. He has power over death itself. Anubis could end your life very easily. If I were to compare all Jo-lan fighters, even Innovain might not get away unscathed if he challenged Anubis as himself. Don't throw your life away for people you know nothing about. It's not only reckless but it makes no sense" Marina scolded Harry.
Harry lowered his eyes.
"I never expected to hear this from you Marina" Harry said.
"Anubis is just that powerful. He borders on the realm of the gods. I should know" Marina looked depressed.
"You know something more about him, don't you?" Harry asked.
"Enough to know your chances against him are almost directly proportional to humanity's chances against Souryu" Marina said.
"I can live with that. At least I know Souryu can be beaten" Harry joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"Don't be naïve! That kind of miracle rarely occurs more than once. None of you have ever seen Souryu battle at full strength. You could even consider the vision Jo-lan showed you of Souryu's power an overly summarized abridged version!" Marina scolded Harry. "Unless you are protected by the divinity of a being with even more immense power, it would only take a word from Anubis to end your life!"
"I understand your worry. I won't ask you to help me. I'm just going to have to find a way to do this on my own" Harry said.
"Harry, I admire your optimistic nature however, there are things in this world that you must not joke about and Anubis is one of those things. Even a joke about him today could mean your funeral tomorrow. Why do you think most people refer to Souryu by titles instead of by his actual name? The names of powerful entities are enough to cause ripples in the universe" Marina said.
"That so huh? Well I guess I better get my name up there soon" Harry joked.
Marina was infuriated.
"Jo-lan! I think it's time you start considering who you hand power to. I shall take my leave Bane. I will inform Josec and Buern, that you followed your heart till the end" Marina said.
"Hey! Don't start cooking up an obituary notice! I understand that it is a very sad thing to be forgotten by all and honestly, someone like me, who has never done anything great in my life…I can't even begin to measure up to Gryphon. I don't know what to tell him…but I know what to say to you Marina. Return to Buern and tell Josec and Buern…to meet me at Fencer's. I don't plan to die without confronting my dad. If you don't think helping others is good enough…then I don't need your help. Rather…I can't accept your help. If I am to be forgotten, I do not mind that. What I detest most is to be remembered as someone who could have helped but didn't!" Harry said.
Marina shut her eyes,
"I understand, I'll tell Josec and Buern that…you followed your heart till the very end" Marina said as she turned and dived into the sea.
Harry watched as she disappeared into the horizon.
Harry dropped on his knees and punched the ground.
"Damn it! Why won't anyone help?!" he roared angrily as he suddenly burst into uncontrollable cries of anguish.
The people of Imperium watched him sorrowfully.
"Mom, why is that man crying?" one young boy asked his mother.
"He is crying for your sister" his mother replied.
Somewhere hidden in darkness, another person was crying too.
"My sole purpose is to obey him but…why can't I heed his call! Why can't I?!" an anguished voice roared.
When the people began to disperse, one teenage boy remained. He walked to Harry.
"I'll help" he said.
Harry stopped crying and raised his head to see the stranger.
"Who are you? Are you a Jo-lan fighter?" Harry asked.
"I'm just an ordinary guy but I've always been awaiting the right chance to strike back at Asmodeus! He took away the girl I love!" the boy declared.
"Why are you helping me?" Harry asked.
"It's pathetic! We the people who ought to do something refuse to do anything! I just can't stand watching a stranger shed tears for us!" the boy declared.
He had long straight red hair. He looked well built. His crimson eyes matched his hair and he wore tattered clothes.
"Who are you?" Harry asked.
"My name is Francis. My father used to be a knight but he was killed by Asmodeus" the boy introduced himself.
"So you want vengeance?" Harry asked.
"No, my father stood for justice so vengeance would insult his memory however, Asmodeus has toyed not only with human lives but with the feelings of all the people living in this continent. So I guess for once, I will gain vengeance by seeking justice. My father passed his Psychorage on to me. He believed one day, someone like you would appear and his final wish was for me to help you when you did" Francis said as he stretched out his hand to help Harry.
Harry held his hand and stood up.
"I heard what that Psychorage said but you know Harry, guys like us beat hopeless odds. It wouldn't be fun if it was going to be easy" Francis said.
"You said it Francis!" Harry laughed as he clasped Francis's hand tightly; a new bond of friendship was symbolized.
"Now let's go save those girls! APPEAR! ROCKER!" Francis called and a loud shriek was heard.
In an instant, a magnificent giant eagle descended from the sky.
"This is Rocker, my dad's Psychorage. My dad used to call him Roc but that's kinda old. Rocker, take us there…to Skeleton Island!" Francis ordered.
"Of course young Master! We must stop Asmodeus!" Rocker declared.
"Now this is a Psychorage I love!" Harry declared.
The boys mounted Rocker and he carried them into the air with a loud shriek.
After many hours of flight, Rocker spotted an island below them. Harry and Francis were asleep and it was already late in the afternoon.
"Young Master! Wake up! We have arrived!" Rocker called.
Francis opened his eyes and awakened Harry.
"We are here!" he said as he pointed to an island below them.
At the centre of the island stood a giant fortress. It seemed to be more of an ancient abandoned temple.
"From here, it will be better to proceed on land. Rocker, take us to the forest!" Francis ordered.
Rocker obeyed and descended into the forest that bordered the edge of the island. Harry and Francis got off Rocker.
"Rocker, I'll call you when I need you. Conceal your presence for now" Francis whispered.
"Good luck young Master" Rocker said as he disappeared.
"Now let's get ourselves to that fortress as stealthily as possible. The coast seems to be clear" Francis said.
"You sure are smart. Alright, let's move according to your plan" Harry whispered with a look of amusement.
So the two boys approached the fortress as carefully as they could. However, between the forest and the fortress, there was a wide stretch of open land.
"From here, we're at a bit of a disadvantage. We'll be open to attacks so our last chance will be to…" Francis was saying.
"Run with all your might and hope you don't get caught!" Harry roared and took off.
"Actually, that makes sense since a Pyschorage like Anubis gets stronger at night!" Francis agreed and chased after Harry.
Meanwhile, within the fortress, the sinister ruler had awakened. He sat upon a giant throne covered in shadow.
"I sense the presence of two intruders. Asmodeus! My evil army! Prepare to ambush them!" the ruler ordered.
Seven pairs of evil red eyes appeared within the darkness.
"Hmm hmm hmm, so…he survived didn't he? This is going to be…interesting" Asmodeus laughed and left the evil ruler's presence.
Thousands of shadows followed him out.
Meanwhile, Harry and Francis ran with all their might towards the fortress. As they were running, they saw thousands of arrows flying at them from a distance.
"What do we do now Francis?" Harry asked.
"We can't stop now! We're going straight ahead, right through them!" Francis declared as he tightened the muscles in his hands. "Harry, we'll create a path with our Jo-lan abilities" Francis suggested.
"Finally, some action! JO-LAN ART! BLADES OF WIND!" Harry roared as he made sweeping motions with his hands.
Sharp currents of wind from his hand sliced dozens of the arrows in their path.
"WIND SLICER!" Francis declared as he dived into the air spinning violently in the process and creating the illusion of a gigantic wind worm.
The sharp currents around him deflected the arrows around them while Harry took care of those in front, hidden in the eye of Francis's storm. Harry stared in amazement.
"He…he's way stronger than I am" Harry realized as he began to feel a slight tinge of envy.
"Let's keep going!" Francis ordered.
The two comrades kept running with all their might. As they approached the fortress, Harry could spot something strange in the distance.
"Francis! What's that?!" he pointed.
"THIS IS AS FAR AS YOU WILL PROCEED!" a stern sinister voice thundered.
Suddenly, Harry and Francis found themselves surrounded by an army of warriors. All of them were clothed in dark armour and they wore the masks of jackals!
"What's this?!" Francis exclaimed as he examined the circle for an opening.
"DESTROY THEM ALL MY LOYAL ARMY!" the sinister voice ordered.
No sooner had the order been given than the warriors pounced on Harry and Francis.
"What do we do now?" Harry asked.
Francis glared at him.
"His attitude is different from when I first met him. I can very clearly sense his fighting spirit" Francis thought.
"Seriously man! Think for yourself! Why are you being so submissive all of a sudden?!" Francis ordered as he blocked a barrage of attacks.
Harry frowned.
All he knew was that it irritated him a lot to rely on Francis but he didn't feel like he had a choice. In fact, he didn't feel that he was much of a fighter anymore. He tried thinking why that was as he parried blows and kicks and began to realize that even though he had begun to accept it, part of him still hated the path of the forgotten. Not for himself, he felt like he hadn't done anything worthwhile with his life so it was okay for him to be forgotten but…he didn't want Gryphon to be forgotten.
"If I die here…Gryphon will be forgotten again…but if I live, I can change that!" Harry declared as his eyes began to change from that of an uncertain child to an overly experienced warrior.
"Harry, don't hurt the fighters" a voice sounded within his mind.
He was just about to punch one of the warriors when the voice spoke. He paused his attack and in that moment was overwhelmed by a barrage of blows and kicks.
"TCH! Why are you hesitating?! It's kill or be killed! Don't you get that?!" Francis scolded him.
Harry stood up.
"Such decisions only lead to regret! Blades Of Wind!" Harry roared as he focused his attacks on the masks of the warriors but they avoided his wind attacks going to the extent of taking direct hits to their bodies to protect their masks.
"Stand back! Leave them to me!" another stern voice sounded.
All the masked warriors leapt aside. As they parted, another masked warrior could be seen clothed in fiery armour.
"Francis, when I attack that warrior, I'll create a chance for you to escape. Use that chance to…" Harry was saying when…
"Yeah, I get that but you will be the one to escape. I'll be the decoy. Just don't lose your determination. Remember, the real obstacle we will face is Death itself" Francis whispered.
"Your plans are futile! Just give up now!" the voice ordered.
"You can say that after my next attack. Harry don't blow this chance or I'll kill you! Here I go…!" Francis roared as he began to rotate violently again.
Dust began to rise and a great sandstorm blinded everyone present.
At that moment, Harry leapt into the air, unseen above the masked warriors and approached the fortress.
"I made it through!" he exclaimed as he ran on.
"You think so huh?! Think again!" the second stern voice roared.
The flaming warrior suddenly appeared in Harry's path.
"Just buzz off will ya?!" Harry roared angrily.
"Hmmph, my plan has worked perfectly! ASMODEUS! I DID AS YOU SAID AND ISOLATED THE INEXPERIENCED ONE! NOW SHOW YOUR DIRTY FACE!" the warrior roared.
"I see you've still got the royal flare" the sinister voice that spoke earlier said.
Harry frowned.
"I recognize that damn voice! IT'S YOU ISN'T IT?! ASMODEUS!" Harry roared.
Suddenly, a terrifying hiss could be heard. It sounded like something between a hiss, a growl and a roar. The ground ahead burst open as seven serpentine heads burst forth from the ground attached to one humongous serpentine body.
Harry smirked.
"Surprisingly, I could not have thought of a more suitable form for you damn serpent! You're only slightly more hideous than I imagined!" Harry mocked.
"Fool! Doth thou recognizeth not completeness when thou perceiveth it with thine own eyes?!" Asmodeus roared.
"Give me a break! Seven separate heads? Not only is that messed up but I'm willing to bet they're all equally stupid!" Harry roared
"How dare you?!" Asmodeus roared.
"As interesting as it is, I'm not going to comment on the fact that you just admitted that even your accent is fake" Harry mocked.
"You just did!" Asmodeus roared.
"How disappointing, fighting a fake that is. This will end quickly" Harry said with a smirk.
"You sure know how to bring out the beast in people. I'll enjoy crushing you! The aftertaste of your loss will indeed last long! Stallion! Let us finish him with our combined attack!" Asmodeus ordered.
"That will be boring but…I guess it can't be helped since the one that gave the order is Anubis himself. We have to destroy the boy who holds life in his hands!" Stallion roared as he raised his hands.
"Magnifying net of flames!" he roared as a triangle of flames appeared over his head.
"My turn! ROUND ONE! DEVILLISH SYNCHRONY!" Asmodeus roared as he opened two of his mouths and spat a huge beam of flame through stallion's net!
The flame grew in size and headed towards Harry's.
Harry dived out of its way laughing crazily.
"Like hell I'm just going to stand there and get hit!" he said as he cartwheeled to steer clear of the blast radius.
"Unfortunately for you…our next attack isn't nearly as simple as that! You only evaded the attack of my two right heads. You failed to realize the ability of my two left heads and unfortunately for you…the bankruptcy of your attention span is going to cost you! TAKE THIS! SPATIAL WARP AND FUSION!" Asmodeus roared.
Harry could feel the heat headed his way. He rolled out of the way in time. The attack missed him and headed back Asmodeus' way.
"Looks like you are about to get a taste of your own medicine!" Harry mocked.
"Is that what you really think? Unfortunately for you, the speed of my flames give it much more intensity as the air around them burns and when I add the power of my middle three heads and send the flames through Stallion's net of flames…my attack evolves!" Asmodeus roared as he received the flames with his tail, absorbed it, amplified it with the wind power of his middle three heads and shot it through Stallion's net of flames.
"IT'S OVER FOR YOU! TAKE THIS! DEVILLISHLY SYNCHRONIZED HELLFIRE!!!" Asmodeus and Stallion roared.
A huge wall of flame headed Harry's way. Harry stared in shock.
"I can't dodge this one…I can't do anything. Wind only strengthens fire! This is the most disadvantageous battle for me. I guess it's all over" he thought and shut his eyes hoping to die quickly.
"Chill out bro, you're not acting like your usual self. What happened to surpassing your dad" a voice said.
"I know that voice, it's…Josec" Harry wondered as he opened his eyes.
"We always face overwhelming odds but we've always pulled through together. I know you feel lonely Harry but I'm with you. We rise together, we fall together or did you forget?" Josec's voice sounded.
Harry could see Josec within his mind.
"But…" Harry hesitated.
"But what?! Aren't you a Jo-lan fighter?! You lost your steam when I took my eyes off you!" Buern's angry voice sounded.
"Buern too?" Harry wondered as a smile began to spread across his face.
Stallion and Asmodeus stared at him through the flames in shock.
"What?! He's smiling?!" they exclaimed in shock.
"I now know why I'm feared by Anubis. It is because of my knowledge of what Jo-lan means to me. The mind brings all things to life! Emotions! Plans! Imagination…and WEAPONS!" Harry roared just as the flames struck him.
"Not until life meets death; kid…you're not half bad. I think I shall lend you a portion of my power!" Gryphon's voice sounded within Harry's mind.
Almost immediately, the wall of flame was dispelled!
"Impossible! He dispelled it!" Asmodeus and Stallion exclaimed in horror.
As the smoke cleared, Harry was seen, unscathed and clothed in emerald armour! He held a sword in his hand.
"Thanks Gryphon. Now, I'll end this quickly!" he roared as he raised the sword towards the sky.
When the sun's rays fell on the sword, it shattered to reveal Gryphon's golden blade.
"How could…a mere mortal?!" Asmodeus couldn't believe his eyes.
Harry stared at his hands. Instead of seeing his physical form, he could see the Jo-lan energy within his hand.
"The class of Jo-lan that has been forgotten for centuries? Could he be…of the class of Knight?! Those that serve the King faithfully and shield his citizens?!" Asmodeus exclaimed.
Harry raised his eyes to stare at them. He saw Asmodeus' black fiery joki and Stallion's fiery one. He could see within Stallion, a bright fiery energy, trapped by darkness. Where Stallion's heart was supposed to be, there was a hole being manipulated by strings leading to the fortress. In fact, there were countless other strings flowing towards the fortress. Asmodeus on the other hand had no string attached to himself. He served Anubis freely. Where his heart was supposed to be, there was just solidified negativity. Harry frowned.
"Stallion is being manipulated too. I'll just have to free them!" Harry thought as he suddenly appeared behind Stallion and severed the strings attached to him before he could react.
The net of flames above Stallion disappeared. Harry quickly tore off the jackal mask over Stallion's head since it also seemed to contain negative energy. Beneath the mask was a beautiful blonde haired girl with eyes the color of grass. She collapsed in Harry's hands. Harry carried her and leapt away from Asmodeus.
"Hey! Hey! Wake up! Are you okay Stallion?!" Harry shook her violently.
He found her very attractive but refused to admit it to himself.
"Stallion? Who is that? My name is…Estelle Raphzaard. I'm the princess of Avalon and…AAAH! PUT ME DOWN YOU FREAK!" she screamed and slapped Harry.
Harry dropped her.
"OUCH!" she screamed.
"You surely have no idea of how to handle girls!" she began to nag.
"Why do I get the feeling she's even more dangerous now than when she was under Anubis' control. Sheesh, girls are just too much trouble. What have I gotten myself into?!" Harry complained.
"Hey! Are you listening?! Jeez! You don't even listen when a girl talks to you! You don't care about anyone's feelings except…" she kept complaining.
"Can you fight?" Harry suddenly interrupted her.
"What are you asking a girl such a crude question for? I detest fighting with all my heart!" Estelle began again.
Harry sighed and moved behind her in a flash.
"I think you should take a little nap!" he whispered as he stunned her nervous system with a sharp chop to the base of her neck.
She collapsed again and Harry left her on the ground.
"It's better this way. I don't need you getting in my way" he said as he turned to face Asmodeus.
"Hmm brat, it seems you're not just an ordinary opponent. To think you'd be able to sever Lord Anubis' Heart Manipulation Threads. I'll have to avoid holding back from now on!" Asmodeus roared as he breathed flames with his two right heads!
Harry stared at the flames with a calm look in his eyes.
"Prepare to die boy! LABYRINTH OF DISTORTED TIME!!!" Asmodeus roared as darkness enveloped the surrounding area.
"This darkness you see around you is a distortion of time and space itself! Inside this warp…anything is possible…for me that is! Heh heh! Now die for provoking me!" Asmodeus roared as his flames divided into four and attacked Harry from different sides.
Harry laughed.
"Warping space and time is the fundamental ability of any Jo-lan warrior. Though only few realize it. I shall counter your attack with mine. Jo-lan Art! BOOK OF JO-LAN!" Harry roared as he reached into his shirt, pulled out the book of Jo-lan and opened it.
"Ancestors of the Bane Clan. Heed my call and draw us into the Baneful Book Of Jo-lan!" Harry roared.
Suddenly, there was a blinding flash of light and everyone in the time warp was sucked into Harry's Book Of Jo-lan. When they appeared within the Book Of Jo-lan, Asmodeus seemed terrified.
"Wh-What is this magic?! How did you defeat my power?! Where are we?!" he screamed.
"We're in your worst fear. You were the one that started this so don't blame me for what is about to happen" Harry laughed maniacally.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Asmodeus screamed.
"Souryu, I Harry Bane, command you to appear!" Harry ordered.
There was a terrifying surge of black lightning and Souryu appeared.
"What do you want me to do Bane?" Souryu asked with a double headed smirk.
"Heh! Isn't it obvious?! I want you to destroy Asmodeus with the Inverted Evil Technique!" Harry ordered.
"Heh! It will be my pleasure!" Souryu declared as he raised both of his heads.
"How can this boy…control lord Souryu?!" Asmodeus declared.
"I already told you. Within this world…anything is possible…for me! Now go Souryu and Vanquish Asmodeus!" Harry ordered.
Souryu opened his mouths and roared. Bright flames came out of his mouth and headed towards Asmodeus.
"No! Lord Souryu! Spare me! I am your servant!" Asmodeus pleaded but Souryu was not the type of Psychorage to listen to desperate pleas so the technique hit Asmodeus with full force.
"This technique is well named. It inverts all the evil you've ever inflicted on others onto its target and then magnifies them ten times over. I don't think you will survive the impact of all the evil you've ever committed" Harry smirked.
"Souryu! NOOO!!!" Asmodeus screamed desperately as the pain of his evil deeds engulfed his mind and to make matters worse, he had seven different minds so each evil deed was worth seven thoughts.
He was thus incinerated in an instant leaving behind only burnt skin.
Souryu transformed into Jo-lan.
"You are really ruthless Bane, using his technique against him. He should have realized that the meaning of your name Bane makes you immune to curses just as continuous exposure to poison can create immunity" Jo-lan congratulated Harry.
Harry smirked.
"I take after my father. What can I say? Like ruthless father, like magnified ruthless son" Harry joked and shut the book of Jo-lan.
In an instant, he was back on Skeleton Island with the unconscious princess and the ashes of Asmodeus. He carried the princess on his back and rushed to help Francis. Francis had managed to knock the mask off one of the warriors and discovered his beloved. After coming to the realization that all the warriors were hostages, he lost his will to fight and received a sound thrashing. Well what can I say; Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Fortunately, Harry arrived in time and severed the Heart Manipulation Threads binding the girls rendering them unconscious for a while. He handed the princess over to Francis.
"She is the princess" he informed Francis.
"I know. I owe you one Harry. Now, we'd better get off this island before…wait a minute. Were you clothed in armour when we arrived?" Francis asked.
"You noticed? This is my Psychorage" Harry said.
"Cool! You don't have to turn into a beast!" Francis praised him.
Francis was quite wounded.
"I've settled things with Asmodeus. Anubis is left. Francis, you must keep these girls safe. Take them back to Avalon. Take Estelle back to her father, I hope this will give the people of Avalon some hope and courage" Harry said.
"No, you intend…to face Anubis alone? We came together! We'll leave together!" Francis stubbornly refused.
"Think about it. If we both face Anubis together and die, our efforts will be wasted. Our goal was to save the girls but they must stay saved!" Harry said with a smile.
"I get it but…" Francis was hesitant.
"Francis. If I die. Find a boy named Josec. He will finish what I started" Harry muttered.
Francis nodded.
"I will never forget you Harry" Francis promised. "Avalon will always remember your sacrifice" Francis said as he gave Harry a brotherly hug.
"Sheesh, is this your confidence level? You're talking like I'm destined to die. I'll be back. There is someone I must defeat no matter what it takes" Harry said with a determined look.
"Reveal yourself Rocker!" Francis ordered and in a torrent of wind, Rocker the Roc appeared.
Harry helped Francis carry the girls unto Rocker's gigantic back.
"We'll be back with ships. I'll request for knights to help you and I'll search for this Josec person should you fail" Francis promised.
"Oh, when Estelle wakes up, tell her…" Harry whispered to Francis.
"Leave it to me" Francis said as he mounted Rocker and flew off.
Harry watched him fly off into the sunset.
"It's kinda lonely. I think I can understand your pain Gryphon. I'm scared but…I must end this" Harry said with a trembling voice.
His hands were trembling too.
He turned and walked towards the fortress. When he entered the fortress, complete emptiness awaited him. He walked on and soon arrived in some kind of throne room. On a gigantic throne sat a gigantic creature. From its neck downwards, it had the body of a man but from the neck upwards, it had the head of a jackal. This was Anubis; the Psychorage also known as the lord of the dead. He glared at Harry with bloodshot eyes and intense rage as though he desired to consume Harry that very moment.
"So, you managed to make it this far!" he roared angrily.
"I-I presume you're Anubis" Harry trembled.
It then dawned on him that this was his first solo confrontation with a Psychorage. He had always had Josec on his side and recently, Buern too and even Jo-lan when he confronted Asmodeus. He began to wonder where Josec and Buern had found the courage to confront Innovain.
"So you've come to confront me haven't you?! You have performed a meritless task. Once I am done with you, I will recapture all my warriors and recruit three times the number for your impudence!" Anubis declared.
Harry shut his eyes.
At this point he knew a clash against a Psychorage of Anubis' caliber would be insanity. His power would never measure up. There was only one thing that could measure up. What did Jo-lan mean by if Josec had rescued the girls, the outcome might not have been the same? Finally Harry knew the answer. Jo-lan said this was a test for the Phoenix's mind, not it's heart and now it was time for Harry to put the Phoenix's mind to the test.
"I-I can't let you do that" Harry stammered.
How could he utilize the mind of the phoenix? These thoughts ran through his mind.
"Try and stop me! I dare you to make a false move!" Anubis challenged.
Harry sighed. Should he try a bluff? He had heard that divine forces had no powers over those they had not come into some form of agreement with. That was his last bet. He was not within Anubis' dominion and he hoped to God that none of his ancestors had been stupid enough to sell the family line.
"I know you're not an ordinary Psychorage. You might even be mightier than Souryu. With a snap of your finger, you can end life but I very much doubt that you can end my life that easily. See, my life is under the divine protection of Gryphon" Harry bragged.
Anubis opened his eyes in shock and backed away temporarily, then he regained his composure.
Harry had his confirmation. Gryphon was a more powerful Psychorage than Anubis was. Harry began to feel calmer.
"You think I'm just above an ordinary Psychorage? What an insolent boy. I happen to be one of Souryu's seven generals and amongst them, I rank as number three! Do you think you can handle that?!" Anubis declared.
"I don't care what you are! I know you fear me! I don't fully know why but it has something to do with my Jo-lan abilities. Somehow, I get the feeling you cannot kill me unless I give you the authorization to end my life!" Harry declared.
"You really think so huh?! Well then! I will show you just how wrong you are!" Anubis declared.
Harry flinched but Anubis did nothing.
"Do I happen to be right?" Harry teased.
Anubis remained silent.
"I thought so" Harry said.
"What do you want? I could kill you in a fight even if I cannot end your life with my scales of fate!" Anubis declared.
"I know you can. That is why I wish to make a trade. I know you wish for Souryu's revival but you know as long as all three descendants of the phoenix clan survive, it will be almost impossible for Souryu to return. I belong to the Bane Clan Of The Phoenix's descent. I'll trade my life in exchange for the lives and freedom of everyone living in Avalon and in this world" Harry said as his body continued to tremble more with his words.
"You surely are arrogant boy. Do you think your life of as much worth as the sum of everyone living in Avalon's not to say, the world?" Anubis asked.
"When it comes to the revival of Souryu, yes. If I live, I'll find a way to conquer you, revive the phoenix and defeat Souryu but if I die now, the last line of the Bane Clan in which the Phoenix's mind runs strongest will die out and without the mind of the phoenix to unify the consciousness of the phoenix, it will never be revived" Harry said solemnly.
"Fool, it will be better for you to live and stop me even if thousands are sacrificed in the process. All you intend to do now is doom humanity at a latter date" Anubis smirked.
He seemed to be enjoying the idea.
"What do you hope to gain by doing this?" Anubis asked suspiciously.
"I don't want to be remembered as the useless one. Besides…legends are written with blood and noble sacrifices…isn't that right?" Harry asked.
"Hmmph! You are foolish in an amusing kind of way. Fine then, I will spare everyone till Souryu's revival. In exchange…I'LL DEVOUR YOUR SOUL!!!" Anubis declared as he transformed into a gigantic shadow jackal and pounced on Harry.
Harry screamed in pain as his soul, mind and body were devoured by Anubis.
Thus was the death of Harry…Hero Of Avalon.