Chapter 2 - The End of The Beginning

______Ten Years After_____

The sky still dark without moon or stars everything just completely dark even during the day. the sunlight had been blocked out by black thick mist made every day like an endless night. And it's been like this since ten years ago since Nazareth 'The King of Dragon' break his shield after thousands of years locked up in the bottom of mountain Fehrer.

since he was free he brings no more than destruction and mayhem to every city in every country, ten years ago he tried to destroy Harland and all of his citizen but King Marcus sacrifice himself to give his people time to escape to underground city L'Markieth and stay there until the next King returned and bring them home eventually.

Now five men standing at the top of the roof of Cestine castle ruined, prepare to face Nazareth one last time. The Next King of Harland King Lucas and his companion The Archknight facing The Dragon face to face, no more running and no more hiding they ready know even though this can be their last battle.

Nazareth roar like thunder in the storm his dark scaled glistening under the midnight sky, his wing spread majestically covering the night sky he showed his big sharp fang his feet cover with enormous claws he stood on the blackened reef taunting anyone who dared against him.

"This is the time....." Said King Lucas calmly without any fear or worry on his face only determination.

"He looks Bigger than last time" Fargo crosses his arms in front of his muscular chest.

"Looks like somebody might forget his diet…."Said Fredhart jokingly.

They all suddenly laugh, The Dragon does look bigger from before for some reason, but none of them feel scared or worry they knew this where the road would lead them, as the citizen of Harland and as the ArchKnight, This is what they meant to do this is what they swore to do.

"Let's make it simple guys!" said Fargo while swinging his sword "Attacked that Beast hard and fast!!"

"LET'S DO THIS!!" Clift smirked next to him.

They all jump and aimed their weapon at Nazareth simultaneously, They flew away circling the beast. They launch their guns and arrow to the mighty beast, they threw more magical bomb and casting some spell to hold the Dragon while The King used her God Sword to attack the Dragon heart, Nazareth roar loud and hard, his roar threw some of them away who get too close with the beast, but they not backing out they come again with everything they have.

"Jay, are you okay?" Fredhard shouts anxiously.

"I'm fine, just threw me close to that bastard, I'm gonna blow him away!!!" Jay Yell impatiently.

Fredhart then use his hands grab his arms and with loud scream threw him away, Jay release his

Bazooka and aim the dragon chest "EAT THIS YOU DAMN LIZARD....!!!"

BOOOOOM!!!!!

The Dragon roar with angry and use his fire breath to blow Clift, thank God Lucas was near he used shield magic to protect him "Watch yourself!!" He shouted at him.

"Thank's My King!!" he answers in jest.

While They all fight furiously someone watching from afar, A Lady with the black wing behind her back, even though she looks calm but there's a trace of worry in her eyes, she wants to join the fight but it's not her time yet, she has to wait….. just a little bit more...

Nazareth used her wings to blow them apart, Lucas Casting a shield to protect all of them then he called the power of seven gods on him, a seven white glowing figure raise behind him and attack the Dragon swiftly like a hard wind, Nazareth feels the agony he can only make thunderous Roar.

Lucas raise his hand to gather the seven God Swords and combine them into one big sword, the Power of Gods accumulate in his right hand and he aims into The Dragon chest Lucas make a loud scream when he thrust his sword to Nazareth

"This is for my people and my Father!!!"

Nazareth Roar loudly knowing his end is near, a white ray of light struck Nazareth's chest leave a giant holes where his Heart should be, The Great Dragon falls from the sky and his body turns to black dust, everyone's silent they stare the black dust who was destroyed their homeland, but then they realize their job still not done yet, The Dragon might gone but the darkness still remains they need to close the gate between their world and Outland where Nazareth and his minion came from.

"I close the gate, this My only duty" said Lucas with determined looks, every one of them silent thinking this might be their last time to see him, they had been through so much together for more than a decades, for them he never just a King or Prince, he was a friend…a comrade and a Brother….he always more than just a duty or obligation, for them it was privileged and honor to walk with him, unfortunately, this is the further they can accompany him....from here on he must walk alone as King, The Last King of Harland.

"We will hold up!!" Said Fargo "Do what you need to do Your Majesty!!" he nodded his head, this is also the first time he calls him 'Your Majesty'

"Farewell Your Majesty..." Fredhart gives him respectful bow and the others follow the suit nothing can be said, they give their last bow to the last Lucient King.

Lucas Nodded his head firmly this is his last chance to see his comrade and Brothers he watch their face one by one the memory from their childhood until today flashes in his head Lucas feel grateful to have them as family and fight with them is an honor if only he can see his Sister again for one last time. He held his tears and walk back to the Cestine Castle, while the others still facing the beast's horde who keep on came in.

The Lady Who watched them fight is Princess Lorient, King Lucas twins Sister, she saw her Brother left and leaving his friend against the horde of beast one last fight to fulfill they last duty as the Arch Knight, Their Power is cut short after the long battles with Nazareth they not gonna make it this last battle.

"Girsha it's our time now!!" she said with tranquil smile but no one answers her, her black wing spread on her back with one jump she flew like a cannonball.

Fargo and the others who already lost a lot of their Mana and potion had reached their end, they look exhausted but they have to hold on for the King and The Kingdom. No matter what they cannot move from here, they willing to die in here if they should.

Fredhart sees something flew toward them the wings seem familiar for him, isn't that? But why her wings become black "Princess Lorient?" he gasps, Everyone who fights turns their head unconsciously, when the beast tries to attack them a white shield looks like transparent wings protect them, this is the same shield Lucas used to create, this is Lucient shield.

"LORIENT!!!" Cliff scream disbelieved but excited and relief at the same time she has returned, the long lost princess has returned. The long Little Sister has returned.

Lorient smile at them she closed her eyes and casting spell and white light glow from her chest and burst become purple orbs then it flew to each of them suddenly they feel their power returned and all the scar and pain from previous fight has gone, they surprise with their perfect condition but they remember this is her 'Gift' the healing power.

"You guys holding up, I will save the King!!" She not wait for their answers she flies away without explaining anything, She doesn't have much time left before he fulfills the prophecy, she needs to stop him, No....she needs to replace him!!

Lucas already in secret door behind the throne seat, there is big cave inside with stalactite roof with water drips and big pillar full of moss seems like this place already been here for thousand years before, the floor already ruined cover with wild grass and water dripping from above. This place looks the same with the place he received the Gift from the god, the place he got his Prophecy.

"The King has to pay the great gift for exchange saving the world" this the first sentenced he heard from the ancient God who bestowed him with the first gift, the King has given seven gifts from seven ancient God and every gift are getting harder and harder to receive in every gift the prophecy is getting clearer, but then he knew why there only a male who can receive this gift of power because the gift is too strong and dreadful and only body of male will do, so that's why there's no female heir, Lucas feel relief, he can't imagine Lory have to experience the same thing like him, so many time he almost give up if not because his friends, Lory and his late father he won't got this far.

He moving closer nothing can't be heard, only his footstep and water drop from the ceiling…......everything it's so damp and dark he can smell moss everywhere well it's more like a cave with a lot of big and tall old pillar cover with moss hold the stalactite roof and only a few torches illuminate the room, the shadow are thick make the room eerie, Lucas walk slowly observe his surround cautiously beware with anything's that might come, until he sees in the middle of the room there around stage encircle with weird mark by ancient rune "I'll be damn…" he had seen this rune when he got the gift from the ancient god of Lucient.

So all this time he runs around the world to receive the gift in the end he comes back to where he starts to end everything, the place he was born will become his grave. Lucas chuckle 'God' really knows how to make a cruel joke.

Lucas moved to the center of the stage he takes a deep exhale then he closes his eyes called all his gift he had received, then blue light illuminates his body suddenly the figure of an ancient god of Lucient appear from inside his body.

The sounds of wind surround the cave, every figure have a white wing on their back and they wear silver armor, each one of them holding a sword in their hand then one by one they flew around him then they move closer and closer to him suddenly they thrust t through his body and every thrust give an excruciating feeling like burn from the inside and torn apart at the same time.

He tries to withstand the pain he feels within his skin, then gradually a visible scar appear all over his body from his eyes running through his chest and arm, a deep blue cracked glow like light bulb arise on the surface of his skin his purple eyes shined brighter than ever, then seven swords emerged to one single giant silver sword.

From the handle to the end tip of the sword everything is silver cover with purple light around it, Lucas fly and grab the big sword and all his body glowing even more with purple light this time, he looks down and the stage is glowing with the same purple color, he held his breath he knows what he must do know.

"It's time….at last…" he clenches his sword with determined eyes, this is what he born to do everything had happened since the day he was born had led him to this moment and know he's ready.

He releases one final scream of pain and relief for he will fulfill his destiny, he pierces the sword to the center stage ground .....but before his sword touches the ground someone stops his hand.

"What the…."

Lucas startled, he looks ahead a woman wearing blue tattered hunter apparel, with the face look like him, she smiles at him "it's not your time yet..." she said softly.

"Lo….Lo..ry" Lucas gasp, her hand stops his hand, Lucas sees a face look like him with dark hair and purple eyes this face it's been two years since the last time he saw her, but her wings why her wings become black, what had happened with her? Before he can comprehend the situation she smiles at him, a cheeky smile like she always does when she prepared to do great mischief, the same smile when she's about to do something really really bad.

"I take your 'Gift' now…" she said with big grinned in her face.

"WHAT…!!" before Lucas can comprehend the situation the bright purple color from Lucas gradually dim and transferred to Lorient a wave of bright purple glow and wind emerged surround them, Lucas shock and horrified by the situation cause he knows something horrendous it's going to happen.

"No!!! No…Lory what are you doing" he shouted to stop her and try to pull his hand from Lorient but futile "Lory stop!! It will kill you!!" he warns her anxiously, but she smiles calmly while closing her eyes.

Lorient smile, she looks Lucas deeply "I Know…" she said calmly.

'If God wants the King to Pay, I will gladly Pay for the King'

Lorient released her hands from Lucas and gust of wind threw Lucas out from the stage, all his strength almost gone he trying to stand up "LORRYYY….!!" he screams desperately. But Lory already in trance he floats above the stage the seven-figure god appear again but this time they thrust their sword viciously at her one by one the white figure thrust her alternately, a punishment for who is dare to rob the King Gift, whatever Lucas feel at that time, she feel a hundred time worst. She felt excruciating pain like she's being torn apart a hundred pieces while burning alive she can't even scream, every stab felt worst than before.

" LORRRYY!!! " Lucas tries to get closer but a gust of wind puss him backward again.

A blue cracked emerged on her skin like Lucas before, but this time the cracked is a lot wider and more severe looks like she going to explode anytime soon. She almost lost her conscious but Lucas scream clear her mind, she knows she's at her limit there won't be any time left, her body cannot hold on any longer "This is it… the end has come....she succeeds" than before too late she raises the god sword and piercing through the ground at the same time Lucas Scream at the top of his lounge

"NO NOO…..NOOOOOOO!!!!"

The God sword pierce the ground with thunderous sound, the wind swirl harder than ever, suddenly a pillar of purple light piercing through the sky like a rocket ship give a booming sound, Lucas threw back even farter then before his tumble and fall back just like break kite in the sky his body only stop tumbling when he hit one of the pillars, after that everything suddenly become quite…..Lucas laid face down he almost can feel his body anymore the aching is killing him but then he remembers about Lorient. He forced his eyes to open he gritted his teeth to swallow the pained he must wake up!! when he managed to open his eyes everything looks blurry only smoke and dust visible.

"Lory...Lo….ry" Lucas whisper he tries to find his sister figure he tottering carelessly, but he can see anything only until the smoke and dust subsides then he see Lorient kneeling and holding the sword, Lucas drag his numb leg approach Lorient, the cracked blue still appeared all over her body and her beautiful face. Lucas kneels in front of Lorient with helpless looks.

"Why….Lory?" his words choked on his own throat.

Lorient eyes fluttering slowly, she opens her eyes then she looking at Lucas, seeing her brother look find she feel glad cause this is what she's fought to die for, so she smiles "You destined to save the world….but I...I destined to saved you"

"But it's my duty as a king" he refuted

"It's also my duty…as your big sister" she insist

"You only older by five minute" Lucas smile and sobbed at the same time.

Lorient chuckle, but the cracked on her body shine brightly "Be a good King....for both of us….." her body suddenly burst into thousand purple lights like a million firefly. Lucas try to hold her sister but her hands only grasp her necklace, it was his cheap present for her he got from arcade but she never took it off ever since "NO….NO....NO...LORY" Lucas grip the necklace on his hand desperately his heart aching and the hollow he feels inside him hurting more than any gift he ever had, like his heart reap from his own body he could barely breathe half of himself has died, so he scream and scream…..so loud….. so helpless...so desperate.

___________________________________

The sky getting clearer and the sunrise like it used to be, all the shadow beast fall back hiding from the light some turn to dust, Fargo and others is the only peoples who remain, the fight is over and they who could believe they actually win, they thought they will follow the King to the abyss and they are willing without hesitation but the sound of screaming shock them, they look at each other before running to source of the sounds and here they found Lucas still alive but his weeping like little child while clutching his fist, they were stunned they never saw him cry for a long time then someone said anxiously "where is Lory?" just like bad premonition they look around to try to find their beloved Princess but she's not around not even her corpses were there as if she never here at the first place, they look at each other with horror.

They should have known, The God never been merciful towards them, everything's has it cost and Harland has paid a great price for his Glory.

Jay shakes his head "No, it can't be....I don't believe it!!"

no one is answered no one dare. Fargo Roar with anger he punches the wall beside him until it breaks into smithereens, Fredhard can't make any words his gazed looks so empty the little girl who used to eat his cake with bright smiled has gone he will never see her again his naughty Princess his beloved little sister.

Cliff looks down with disbelieved and mourn fills his eyes and tears slowly fall on his cheeks for the first time in his life.

They have saves the world, they win the war but the lost.......the lost is too great, too much to bear....

***

___A long time ago when they were child Lorient said to Lucas____

"Do you know?"

"What"

"Twins are born from one soul who split and becomes two's"

"Really….?"

"Duh...of course, it's real if not how can I feel hurt when you get hurt, and you hurt when I get hurt too?"

"Huh…so it's like that… no wonder hide and seek is no fun with you, I always can find you"

"Fufufu~…well it's a twin thing you know"

"That's no fun Lory, we can play hide and seek anymore…."

"Is That so~….."