IN IMPERIUM…
Four days had passed since Harry and Francis saved the girls and returned them to Imperium. The strain Anubis' control had on the girls rendered them unconscious for a few days. They had begun to recover and a few of them had already regained consciousness. Francis all the while had been trying to convince the king to round up knights to rescue Harry but no one was willing to risk their lives.
Most of the elders were annoyed with the pressure Francis was exerting on the king so they threatened to throw him into jail if he did not keep quiet. Francis after much thought came to a decision. He'd wait for the Princess Estelle to recover, then he'd deliver Harry's message. After doing that, he'd seek out the one called Josec.
It was a gloomy day in Imperium. Dark clouds covered the sky for the past four days, almost as though the sky was clothed in mourning garments. Francis lay on his bed presently.
"Suzanne, I wonder how you're doing today. I've always been afraid to confess my feelings for you…and I nearly lost you. I still can't say it…not until I rescue my friend" Francis said as he got up and changed his shirt. "I think I'll go find out how Suzanne is doing today. I hope she has regained consciousness by now" he thought to himself.
He lived alone since his mother had died months after his father lost his life. He had managed to find happiness by taking care of Suzanne who had also lost her father to the battle against Asmodeus.
A few minutes later, he arrived at Suzanne's house. He knocked the door uncertainly. Suzanne's mother opened the door. She was a stern woman who did not like Suzanne's affection for Francis.
"What do you want you troublemaker?! Hasn't my daughter already gone through enough to put up with the likes of you?! Leave her out of your Jo-lan battles! She deserves a simple life!" she scolded Francis.
Francis lowered his head in regret. He hadn't realized that the reason Suzanne was suffering was because of the Jo-lan world he lived in till her mother said it like that.
"I'm sorry to be so much trouble. When Suzanne wakes up, tell her I'm sorry she went through all that. I'm glad I was able to save her. Goodbye" Francis said with a fake smile and ran away.
"Hmmph! Good riddance!" Suzanne's mother scoffed and slammed the door.
Francis gradually slowed down.
"Harry…is this how you felt when everyone refused to help? It sure feels pathetic" Francis muttered sadly.
He recalled how he and Harry fought together. He already felt like he had known Harry all his life.
"What should I do now?" Francis wondered.
"When Estelle wakes up, tell her…" Francis recalled Harry's last words.
"Yes, I know what to do. I must deliver Harry's message. After that…I'll think of what to do" Francis decided.
Meanwhile, in the castle, Princess Estelle lay unconscious on her bed. Jo-lan had been tending to her disguised as Dr. Albane. In her dreams, Estelle was beginning to recall the Spartan training she had undergone with the other girls under Anubis' control. She recalled the name she had been given for her strength and indomitable spirit, Stallion. That name kept ringing in her head and she could recall the first time in two years she had seen through her own eyes. She recalled the puzzled face of a handsome stranger she had attacked for holding her too close to himself. She couldn't forget the warmth and strength he radiated. He appeared to be annoying, crude and uncouth and he didn't seem to know a thing about girls but she felt she liked that about him. In a way, it made him seem innocent, like a child. But there was another thing she had sensed when he looked at her. There was a sorrow underneath, of one left behind, one who would be forgotten. Tears streamed down her eyes unto her warm pillow.
"I will always remember you" she murmured in her sleep.
Meanwhile, on Skeleton Island, and in a distant realm, Harry opened his eyes and found himself in endless darkness. He was naked and felt really cold. He couldn't help shivering.
"Where am I?" he wondered.
"HELLO! IS ANYONE HERE?!" he called but his voice kept echoing endlessly and loneliness began to creep upon him.
He began to feel as vulnerable as his current state dictated. Then his memories slowly came back to him.
"I traded my life for the safety of the others. I…I'm…" he stared at his hands in despair.
"Dead? Exactly as you have stated but I do not think you will be remembered. The people of Avalon have not even come to reclaim your body and look…you're beginning to rot away" a sinister voice laughed.
Harry looked ahead and saw the gigantic head of a jackal. He began to feel things wiggling all over his body. He looked at his hands and saw worms sticking out from his hands and all over his body.
"What?! WHAT IS THIS?! NOOO!!!" he screamed desperately but no one could hear his screams.
He fell to the ground and lost consciousness. He thought he was escaping one nightmare but he landed in another. He was much younger now. It was a cold winter's night and his parents were arguing again. He crouched in a corner covering his ears and shutting his eyes tightly. Suddenly, he heard those words that marked him for the rest of his life.
"I'm leaving Felix! There is no point in staying with a man who doesn't want to do anything worthwhile with his life! I regret marrying you! Harry shouldn't have been born to suffer the fate of a Bane! One whose existence makes no difference!" he heard his mother yell.
"How can you say that?! Harry is a son to be proud of! If you want to leave just go ahead! I won't stop you…but never think of looking back do you hear me?!" Harry heard his father yell.
"Don't worry! I'll never bother looking back! There is nothing to look back to anyway!" Harry heard his mother yell.
Then she stormed out of the house into the cold night. Harry ran after her.
"Don't go Mom! Please don't leave me! Mother come BAAAACK!!!" Harry screamed desperately and ran after her but he stumbled and fell.
He shed his last tear that day and could still feel the frozen tears on his face. He opened his eyes and returned to the present darkness.
"This is the past I can't let go off. I can't let go of the hatred I feel for…my mother" he muttered.
He couldn't feel the worms any longer but now he felt really hungry and thirsty. He still felt as cold as ice and now his whole body was numb with pain and weakness.
"Is this…hell?" he wondered.
He knew that hell was a place for evil people but he also knew that in addition to all the pain inflicted by evil people in their lifetimes, there were also flames.
"No, this isn't hell…it's…my heart" Harry realized as he lost consciousness again.
Another day had arrived in Imperium. Princess Estelle had finally regained consciousness. Everyone in Imperium was really happy since more of the girls had recovered. Most of them had lost their memories of the time they were under Anubis' control but Princess Estelle had miraculously retained her memories.
"I'll never forget that boy" she murmured as she stared out of her window.
It was raining heavily. As she stared out the window, she could see a boy darting to and fro amongst the trees. She decided to find out who it was secretly hoping it would be him; the boy from her memories. She rushed down the stairs and managed to sneak into the courtyard without being spotted. She walked towards the trees but couldn't see anyone. She looked around. Then she noticed the hedges rustling. She approached cautiously.
She walked slowly, preparing herself for whatever was hiding behind the hedges. As she approached the hedges, someone suddenly appeared behind her. She leapt away and took a fighting stance.
"Don't worry Princess Estelle, I'm not here to attack you. I do apologize for sneaking in but I have an important message for you from your rescuer" Francis introduced himself.
Estelle recognized him. He was with the boy she had fought. She sighed and let down her guard.
"I recognize you but…where is my rescuer and who is he? No one tells me about him even when I ask" Princess Estelle asked.
Francis sighed sadly.
"His name is Harry. He…He…it was that tried more than anyone to save everyone. He was willing to go alone and I believe he may have sacrificed himself to grant us a chance to escape safely" Francis said and looked away sadly.
"Do you mean, you believe him to be dead?" Princess Estelle asked worriedly.
"I don't know. The last I saw of him. He was on his way to confront Anubis and we both know what that means" Francis said sadly.
Estelle frowned.
"Why did you not request my father to send knights after him?!" Princess Estelle scolded Francis.
"Do you think I did not try? But the elders of this kingdom went so far as to threaten me with imprisonment!" Francis defended himself.
The Princess could see how desperate he was.
"How could they do that?! He saved us! He saved me, the Princess Of Avalon and they just left him to die?! They could not even muster up courage to recover his body for a decent burial if perchance he happened to be dead?!" Estelle growled angrily.
"It's sad. Harry…when he realized no one was going to help you girls, he actually cried for the people. He cried…for strangers. The only reason I'm not on my way to help him now is because…I was waiting to deliver his message to you" Francis said.
"His message…to me?" Estelle seemed surprised. "Why would he leave a message for me?" she asked.
"He said you have a huge responsibility on your shoulders. He also said…" Francis began to say but Estelle could recall Harry's words even though she was unconscious at the time.
"You are the biggest pain I've ever met! Jeez, can't you even say 'thank you for rescuing me?' and to make matters worse you topped it up with a slap! Do you know what it feels like to be slapped by a girl? It feels so…prissy! You are by far the most annoying girl I've ever met but I respect you for what you said" Estelle recalled Harry's words.
"I detest fighting with all my heart!" she recalled her words to him.
"If more people were like you, the world would be a paradise. Estelle, I know how you feel about fighting. I watched my parents fight many times and I hated them for it. There are many kinds of fights in this world but not all of them are wrong. Sometimes we fight our siblings, sometimes we fight our enemies, sometimes we even fight ourselves and most at times fighting is selfish. But at times, we must fight to uphold our beliefs, we must fight to protect those we love, and in your case, fight for your people. Many people despise Jo-lan because of the suffering it has caused throughout history but Jo-lan itself fights for the human race…like God fights for us. When we accept our Jo-lan identities in weakness and strength, in failures and successes, then…we are not just fighting with our bodies…but with our hearts. Seeing you…I remembered my mother, I don't recall ever seeing her happy and you're doing the same thing she did. You're blocking everyone out and trying to face your responsibilities alone. If you don't learn to love yourself and…to fight for yourself, Anubis won't be your worst enemy. Your worst enemy will be yourself…and your people. They are afraid of the future and it is paralyzing them. Perhaps this is your chance to prove yourself. Don't hate yourself for not being able to do anything. Just by being alive, you are a source of hope to your people. My time has come and I have to face my worst fear but I will be hoping that when your time comes, you will be much stronger than I am" Estelle recalled Harry's words and she cried.
"That idiot! What does he know about me?!" she yelled and ran into the castle.
Meanwhile, in Anubis' lair, Harry's body lay at Anubis' feet. Anubis glared at Harry with a sinister look in his eyes.
"Have you finally given up on yourself?" he asked with a sinister smile.
Within Harry's mind, Harry squatted in a dark corner, alone and scared of the horrors Anubis was forcing him to experience. He was shivering from extreme cold and the hunger and thirst he had to endure were even worse. He sighed.
"I'm all alone…I'm really scared. J-Josec…Buern…p-please help me" he stammered as he collapsed to the ground. "Must not sleep…I mustn't sleep…can't face any more…torture" Harry sighed as he lost consciousness once more.
After a while of darkness, he awoke in a sea of flames.
"Wh-What is this?!" he exclaimed in shock and fear.
He heard a loud roar and raised his eyes to the sky. He was even more shocked to see the cause of the destruction. Souryu was flying high in the sky with six other monsters. Together, thy wreaked havoc.
"Huh! Anubis, you did well. This victory could not have been achieved without your intervention" Souryu said.
"I'm honoured, lord Souryu" he heard a familiar voice.
So familiar was the voice that he couldn't stop trembling.
"And to think I was always so scared of the Fenix clan when the real threat was the Bane clan" Souryu said.
Harry turned slowly and saw HIMSELF?! The one Souryu was referring to as Anubis was none other than himself. He saw Josec, Buern, Francis, Estelle, his Father and Innovain lying dead on the ground.
"No…this can't be happening! J-Just because I gave up on myself?! Am I that important?!" he asked himself.
Anubis chuckled.
"Isn't it a little too late to be saying that?" Anubis laughed at him.
"You…you did all this!" Harry roared.
"No, you did. You were the one that surrendered yourself to me. I am thankful to you. By surrendering yourself…you also surrendered all of humanity" Anubis teased some more.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" Harry roared as he picked up a sword from the ground and charged at Anubis.
He raised the sword, blinded by fury and struck with all his strength. Blood sprayed all over him.
"Finally, I did it!" Harry exclaimed.
"You think so huh? Look again!" he heard the sinister voice and saw the jackal head towering above him.
He looked to see who he had struck and saw…HIS MOTHER!!!
"Harry why? D-Do you hate me this much?" she muttered and collapsed to the ground.
"Mother? Mother?" Harry stared in shock.
He looked at his hands and saw her blood.
"What have I…? AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!" he screamed in anguish and shut his eyes but that only made things much worse.
He saw many faces, Josec, Buern, Francis, Estelle, his parents and Innovain.
"Why did you give up Harry? Why did you give up? We needed you and you let us down" they said.
"I…I'm sorry" Harry wept.
Suddenly, everyone disappeared. Harry dropped on his knees and wept.
"Gryphon didn't give up" he heard a strong voice.
He looked up and saw a man with flaming crimson hair and crimson wings. On the back of his jacket was imprinted the symbol of the phoenix.
"Gryphon didn't give up Harry" the man said again.
"Y-You're…Lord Vega?" Harry was surprised.
"The reason Gryphon disappeared was not because of shame or the fear of being forgotten" Lord Vega said as he turned to face Harry. "Gryphon disappeared, he let no one wield him because he was waiting…for someone with the strength of heart to choose his own path. He was waiting for you" Lord Vega said as he placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
Harry could feel Lord Vega's strength from that single touch.
"The reason I fought with Innovain was to save you kids from situations like this. Harry, think about what it means to have a friend. Think about what transcends death" Lord Vega said as he disappeared.
Harry was shocked but he still didn't think he could do anything, he didn't think he was worth anything.
Harry sat down and held his head.
"It's too late for me now. How could I be so stupid?! Just because I was afraid of being forgotten…I let everyone down. Man how uncool can you get?" he sighed with a desperate chuckle.
Anubis sat on his throne staring at Harry's body.
"Fool! Do you actually think I'd just do whatever you asked me to do? In fact, I believe I will use you to destroy Avalon and I think I will start with Imperium!" Anubis muttered with an evil smile as he transformed into dark energy and inhabited Harry's body.
Harry meanwhile sat in the darkness feeling sorry for himself when all of a sudden, Anubis burst into the darkness with great force.
"Feeling pathetic already? Well you're going to feel even more pathetic after I use you…to destroy Imperium" Anubis mocked.
"You…you can't possibly break off our deal after killing me!" Harry roared.
"Watch me…besides…this is honestly the first time I've heard the word 'deal'. Don't even know what that means" Anubis laughed as he stretched his hands towards Harry.
Terrible spiky black chains rose from the darkness and bound Harry tightly, clinging painfully to his flesh. Harry screamed in pain as he felt himself being sucked even deeper into the subconscious part of his mind.
On the outside, his eyes had turned very dark and bloodshot. He stood up and stared at his hands.
"Hmmph! What a pathetic fool. To think you do not even have much power. I guess humans are all talk and no action" Anubis said through Harry's mouth as he walked out of the fortress.
"I look forward to the sunset, when Imperium will be no more" he laughed and flew into the air.
"Wild Psychorages roaming free in this world! Those of you that still bow to the lord of darkness, Souryu, join me in my quest to destroy everything that the phoenix holds dear!" Anubis roared.
Suddenly, the sky began to turn pitch black as portals of darkness spread across the sky. Many evil Psychorages descended from the sky and gathered around Anubis.
"Good, lord Souryu will be proud of you. Let us march on…to crush Imperium, then Avalon and the rest of humanity!" Anubis ordered and the evil Psychorages roared in agreement.
Meanwhile, Princess Estelle sat in her room feeling depressed.
"You are one to talk. You think you're so good at masking your own pain…jerk!" she yelled and threw her pillow to the ground.
"Why should a stranger like you stick your nose into our affairs? It had nothing to do with you. You…didn't have to…die" she wept.
When she realized that she was weeping, she began to feel foolish.
"Why am I weeping for someone I don't even know?" she asked herself.
Francis also had to prepare himself. He had taken all the things he needed to venture out on his journey to find Josec. He stood a distance away staring at Suzanne's house, hoping she would at least come out. He wanted to see her smile again before he continued his journey. The sun was beginning to set and it didn't look like Suzanne would be coming out anytime soon so he decided to leave. He had just summoned Rocker when he noticed that the sky was turning dark at an unusual rate. He looked up to the sky and immediately heard a loud explosion. The ground began to tremble violently. A building had been blown to smithereens.
"WHAT THE…?!" Francis exclaimed in shock and stared into the sky again.
This time, he saw the cause of the destruction. An army of Psychorages were flying in the sky. It wasn't clouds that were causing the darkness. Neither was it night but a legion of Psychorages so huge in number they blotted out the sun! Suddenly, one of the Psychorages descended with great force and crashed into the town square. Francis rushed there as fast as he could and saw that this Psychorage had the form of a human. His back was turned to Francis so Francis could not see its face.
"WHO ARE YOU?! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!" Francis questioned the man.
"Hmmph! Take a wild guess!" the man said as he turned around.
Meanwhile in Imperium Castle, the king had regained his composure. He had been afraid to fight back all this while but now he remembered why he was king. He was there to defend and serve his people. He ordered for all his knights to gather. Estelle was in her room when she saw the destruction that was taking place. She rushed to the throne room.
"What is happening father?!" she demanded an answer.
"We are now facing a real threat. Legions of Psychorages are attacking Imperium. Anubis is making his move. It is about time we fought back. As long as he didn't attack Imperium directly, I was willing to overlook his misdeeds. I suppose in my desire to protect my people, I failed them. I failed you too Estelle, I'm sorry. The only way to make up for my cowardice is to fight to protect our people. Estelle, you know about Imperium's underground tunnels, don't you?" the king asked.
Princess Estelle nodded.
"Take as many people as you can and escape. I'll try to hold the Psychorages back with my army" the king said.
The Princess was shocked when she heard that. It sounded almost as though her father was saying goodbye.
"You must live on Estelle, for the future of Avalon" the king said.
Then he commanded his knights to march off into battle. He led them out of the castle. Estella frowned.
"I can't serve my people by abandoning them. I'll fight too!" she declared as she charged out of the castle.
She ran to the stables and chose the fastest horse she could find. Then she rode into the city.
Back at the main battlefield, Francis stared at the evil warrior in horror.
"This can't be! Anubis can't possibly be controlling you too!" he refused to believe his eyes.
"Hmmph! Can't believe your eyes can you? Well why don't you test me with your fists?" Anubis asked.
"It's a lie! Anubis can't be controlling you!" Francis declared.
"We'll just have to see about that, won't we?" Anubis said as he stretched his hands towards the houses and started incinerating them with flames.
"Stop this Harry!" Francis ordered.
"Seems like you refuse to learn. Why don't you try and stop me?" Anubis challenged.
"I WILL! PSYCHORAGE ABILITY! WIND RAGING ROC!" Francis roared as a terrifying wind surrounded him.
He grew in size and sprouted gigantic eagle wings from his back. As the wind raged on, Francis grew a monstrous beak, his toes twisted to form fearful talons and feathers completely enveloped his body. Soon, the wind engulfed him so strongly that he could no longer be seen. When the wind faded, Francis had transformed into a mightier version of Rocker. His beak was jagged and his feathers were sharp as blades and bright brown in colour.
"Impressive psychorage but can it stand against the Lord Of Death?!" Anubis challenged.
"I'll force you to free Harry and you'll leave us once and for all!" Francis declared as he pointed his wings towards Anubis.
"FEATHERY FURY!" he roared as he released his feathers continuously like bullets.
Anubis simply smiled and raised his hand. All Francis' feathers were deflected and to make matters worse, Anubis was directing them towards the people. Francis realized this in time and stopped firing.
"You sly weasel!" he roared angrily.
"Actually, my nature is that of a jackal" Anubis teased.
"I'LL CRUSH YOU!" Francis roared as he charged towards Anubis.
Meanwhile, Harry was screaming for Anubis to stop. Anubis appeared in his subconscious and mocked his suffering. It seemed like an eternity since Harry lost his soul to Anubis. His hair had grown much longer.
"When your friend makes his next move…his life will be over" Anubis said grimly.
Harry stared at the scene in horror. Francis raced towards Anubis aiming for a near fatal strike. Anubis smiled and stretched his finger towards Francis. Francis continued to charge towards him.
"It's time for you to die!" Anubis declared as his finger turned into a long and tremendously sharp blade. The blade stabbed Francis through the heart and came out through the back.
"NO!" Harry screamed.
At that moment, Suzanne regained consciousness. She could hear a voice ringing in her head. "Suzanne, live on, be happy…for me" the voice said.
Suzanne felt a sharp pain in her heart and tears began to stream down her face.
"Francis" she muttered sadly.
She rushed out of the house and saw the most horrible sight. Francis was held up in the air by a sharp blade that pierced him through his heart. He saw Suzanne and smiled.
"I'm glad Suzanne is…alright" he muttered as the last of his life left him.
Anubis smirked and threw him to the ground.
"FRANCIS!!!" Suzanne screamed in horror.
She ran to his side.
"No! FRANCIS!" she screamed as she held him close.
Francis had a satisfied smile on his face.
"Francis…why?" she wept.
Harry was in a rage by now.
"How dare you Anubis…HOW DARE YOU…KILL MY FRIEND!!!" he roared as he clutched the chains and attempted to pull them off his flesh.
The pain was excruciating but Harry didn't care. All he could think about was revenge but… little did he know that he was falling into another of Anubis' traps. More chains latched unto his flesh and this time, they were not just spiky but molten spiky chains! The molten came from the infernal feeling of vengeance.
Harry wanted vengeance but the pain, the price for his vengeance was more than he could handle. He eventually lost consciousness thus giving Anubis even greater control of his body.
On the outside, the knights had arrived and an all-out war began between humans and Psychorages. The king and his knights wasted no time in Psychoraging. They fought valiantly against the evil Psychorages. Anubis turned his attention to Suzanne.
"You were once one of my warriors. If you return to my side…I assure you that…you will feel no pain" Anubis beckoned.
"Forget it! I'll never join you…after what you've done to Francis!" Suzanne declared.
"Fine then…I think I'll allow you to live with your suffering all the days of your life!" Anubis roared.
At that moment, Princess Estelle arrived at the scene. She saw Suzanne clutching Francis' lifeless body.
"Suzanne!" she called as she jumped off her horse and rushed to Suzanne's side.
She hadn't noticed Anubis yet.
"Suzanne! What happened? Oh no!" she exclaimed when she saw Francis' face.
"Stallion, how good of you to drop by!" she heard a familiar voice.
"No! This can't be! I recognize that voice but…but why would he…of all people call me by that dreadful name. Not unless…?!" Estelle shivered as she turned around slowly.
She raised her eyes and saw the face of the speaker.
"No! This can't be right! Why you of all people?!" she exclaimed in horror.
Anubis smiled.
"I see, so in the short time you've known this boy, you've developed an emotional attachment to him. How far you have fallen Stallion!" Anubis muttered in disgust.
Harry watched the scene in horror. He had only just managed to regain consciousness.
"Not her…not the Princess Estelle of all people" he muttered weakly.
"How does it feel Stallion? To be scared of the one person you love?" Anubis mocked Estelle.
"Stop saying senseless things Anubis! She is a princess! I am a nobody! Because of me…because of me…her people are suffering! Why would she care about someone like me?!" Harry roared angrily.
Most of the anger was directed at himself.
"Yes, I do care about him. I love him!" Estelle declared.
"WHAT?! SHE CAN'T POSSIBLY BE SERIOUS!" Harry screamed.
"Do you hear me Harry? I love you. It sounds crazy. We haven't really known each other for long but you understand me…and I feel like I understand you too. No one has ever been as honest with me as you have. I know you must have had some painful moments in your past as well, many things you can't let go of!" Estelle confessed amidst tears.
"I know it's difficult for you Harry! It must have really hurt when that person abandoned you. Since then you haven't given yourself any chance to be happy. I don't care if…" Estelle was saying when…
"Silence!" Anubis ordered. "I don't know what you think you can gain by doing this but I won't let you say anymore!" Anubis roared.
"Then try and stop me! Harry, I don't care whether everyone thinks you're worthless or not! I don't even care if you don't think you're worth anything…" Estelle said.
Harry had a funny look on his face.
"What kind of a confession is this? I kinda feel worse than I did before" he thought with a laugh.
"But if you're willing to give me a chance, I'll do my best to make you smile…so don't give up on yourself Harry! Because even if our paths separate…I will always remember you! Even if I lose you now…I will make sure my descendants remember you so…please stop suffering!" Estelle cried.
Harry stared at her in shock.
"Are those tears…for me?" he wondered.
Then he shut his eyes.
"Estelle…I don't want to see you suffer as well" he said.
Those words came out clear from his lips and Estelle heard them. She cried and hugged him tightly. Harry opened his eyes in surprise.
"I feel so warm…so happy…so content…so free!" he exclaimed.
"Holding on to the past halted my progress. This pain I've been feeling for so long was my hatred…my hatred for the woman who gave me life! I still can't forget what you did mother but I can't hate you. Goodbye forever…mother!" Harry screamed as the chains binding him shattered and fell to the ground.
"OH NO!" Anubis exclaimed in fear.
"I finally get it Lord Vega…I understand what transcends death…its memories! The times I share with everyone while I'm alive. Even after I'm gone, those times will be passed on to the future generation!" Harry exclaimed in sudden realization. Then he began to hear a voice…
"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 and finally I obey,
Life met death and destiny triumphed,
Now then, will we wear our pride
As the Kings Of The Air!"
A majestic voice sounded. Suddenly, the golden sword arose from the darkness before Harry. Harry smiled.
"You did well kid. You conquered fear itself. Now nothing can stop you!" Gryphon's voice sounded.
Harry clutched the sword and pulled it easily from the darkness. A bright light flashed within his mind and Anubis was forcefully expelled from his body. Anubis' dark form resumed the shape of a man with the head of a jackal. Harry wrapped his arms around Estelle. She seemed surprised at first and drew back to look into his eyes. She could now see his kind blue eyes.
"Thank you Estelle. You gave me back my life" Harry said as he kissed her.
Estelle was really surprised at first, then she found the courage to kiss him back. Harry then left her and turned to face Anubis.
"You said something about me being powerless before right? Well then prepare yourself. I will now show you…my true strength!" Harry declared as a powerful silvery light surrounded him.
"Psychorage ability, Rune Knight" Harry said calmly.
He had the look of absolute confidence in his eyes. The silver light that surrounded him was so terrifying that everyone couldn't help but cower in fear.
When the light cleared, Harry was seen clothed in impenetrable armour. The armour was not made of gold, silver, or anything earthly. It was made from the impenetrable scales of Souryu himself. Now purified by Estelle's love for him, the scales had turned silvery white.
"This is my Jo-lan class forged by my own will. It is the combination of all three classes of Jo-lan, the class of Rune Knight" Harry said calmly.
There was no look of anger or hatred on his face. Not even happiness. There was but one look and its name was righteous indignation.
"IMPOSSIBLE! THAT CLASS OF JO-LAN IS A MYTH!" Anubis screamed in horror.
Harry raised his eyes to the skies and a look of sorrow came over his face.
"It's alright my fellow Psychorages. You don't need to be afraid. Neither must you let Souryu's or Anubis' hatred consume you…begone now and be free!" Harry ordered and immediately, a bright light covered the entire sky and all the Psychorages disappeared.
"It can't be! He dispelled all of them in a single instant!" Anubis exclaimed in shock.
"Now…all that's left is you" Harry declared as he suddenly appeared before Anubis and struck with all his might.
His sword slashed across Anubis' chest. Anubis stared in shock and drew back.
"You may be strong now but you're not beyond death! Behold! Scales Of Fate!" Anubis roared as balancing scales appeared in his hand.
"You will die now!" he declared as black waves of energy headed towards Harry.
Harry caught the waves with his bare hand.
"You call yourself the Lord Of The Dead…then I will teach you a bit about life in this world. Death circles through life…and life circles back to death!" Harry declared as he hurled the waves back at Anubis.
"No! This can't happen! I am the Lord Of…!" Anubis declared as his technique backfired and hit him.
He roared in pain and crumbled to dust.
"It's over now…it's finally over" Harry muttered as he transformed back into himself and collapsed.
"Harry?" Estelle exclaimed worriedly.
TWO DAYS LATER…
Everyone from Imperium and Avalon gathered at the shores of Imperium for Francis' requiem. Everyone was clothed in black and they all surrounded Francis' body which was clothed in royal knight armour and mounted on a funeral pyre. Harry, Estelle, Suzanne and King Raphzaard stood in the front.
"We are gathered here today to say farewell to the greatest hero of Avalon. Francis lived his life as an ordinary boy but he was an extraordinary person to me. He always gave his best to make sure everyone was happy even if it meant he had to hurt himself to do it. Everyone here bears witness to the rise of this noble hero. Farewell Francis…Hero Of Avalon, I'm proud of you" Suzanne offered her tribute amidst tears.
She placed a wreath beside Francis' body. The knights honoured Francis by raising their swords.
"Farewell Francis…Hero Of Avalon" everyone cheered.
Suzanne picked up a torch but her hand was trembling uncontrollably. Harry held her hand and helped her set the pyre ablaze. As the flames rose over Francis' body, the dark clouds covering the sky disappeared and the sun shined brightly.
"Suzanne, live on…be happy…for me" Francis' voice rang in Suzanne's head once more.
A WEEK LATER
Harry stood in the presence of the king and Estelle.
"It's time for me to continue my journey. The whole world is counting on me" Harry said.
"You're leaving already?" Estelle seemed disappointed.
"I have to" Harry said sadly.
"According to my royal proclamation, whoever could rescue my daughter and the girls of Avalon would win my daughter's hand in marriage and half of my kingdom. Won't you accept my reward?" the king asked.
Estelle looked hopeful.
"I will but not just yet. If after saving the world I'm still alive…I will marry Estelle" Harry promised.
"You will?!" Estelle exclaimed in joy.
"I promise" Harry swore.
Estelle walked to him and hugged him.
"I won't wait until you die. I'm coming with you. We will travel the world together and if you die, I'll die right there beside you" Princess Estelle promised.
"Now when you say that it only makes me even more scared of you Stallion" Harry teased.
"Can't handle a little competition Anubis?" Estelle challenged.
The king cleared his throat. Harry suddenly became stiff.
"I'm so sorry your majesty" he apologized.
"Father, please let me go with him" Estelle pleaded.
"Well, you have proven yourself and you're all grown up now. I'm really proud of you but I will let you leave on one condition" the king said seriously.
"What?!" Estelle asked excitedly.
"Promise not to die, both of you" the king ordered.
"Of course" Harry and Estelle laughed happily.
Thus the journey to find Fencer began again.