Legacy

With the night came a terrible storm. The forest was no place to be at such a time, as it had nothing that could serve as shelter from the rain. Mere leafy branches were no real cover from the downpour that was pelting the Earth.

As James and the others searched for safe haven, they came upon an inn. Such a place at such a time seemed almost too good to be true.

It was revealed by how unkempt the establishment was inside that it had been months, possibly years, since it had last been in use. Dust was covering all the furniture and the windows were so dirty that they dulled the moonlight.

“You think anyone’s here?” asked Aiko.

“I doubt anyone’s been here in a long time,” replied James.

Aiko rang the bell on the front desk. It was covered in rust but it still functioned perfectly, sending a loud ring throughout the entire building.

“What are you doing?” asked James.

“What? You said it yourself. There’s no one here. So no need to be so jumpy.” Aiko then leaned over the desk. “I wonder if they left anything valuable behind.”

“This is no time for that. We have a long trip ahead of us tomorrow. So we shouldn’t waste any time. We should just go to bed.”

“You three go on ahead,” said Archer. “I’ll keep watch down here.”

“Are you sure?” asked Jaycee.

“I’m sure. I’m not really tired.”

It was clear to the others that the unfortunate events of the day were still weighing heavily on Archer’s mind. Had any of them lost such a great number of comrades they, too, would have had a difficult time succumbing to something as trivial as fatigue.

James led the girls to the second floor. Being the only visitors to the inn, the three had their choice of rooms.

“We’ll stay in the room closest to the stairs,” said James. “That way if anything happens, we’ll be able to make a quick escape.”

“That sounds like a good plan for the two of you,” said Aiko. “As for me, I want the room with the most comfortable bed.”

“We have to stay close to the stairs,” said Jaycee.

“Yes, you do. And I have to stay in the room with the most comfortable bed. Do you know how long it’s been since I had a bed all to myself?”

“This is no time to worry about how comfortable you are,” said James. “We need to stay close to the stairs. And we need to stay together.”

“And you will. You and Jaycee.”

“What?” gasped Jaycee.

“You seem to be forgetting who you’re dealing with,” said Aiko. “Before you came along, I was doing just fine on my own. I have a keen sense when it comes to danger. Besides, we’re the only ones here. Except for those three over there.”

James and Jaycee were collectively startled when they looked down the hall and found three people watching them from the other end. It was quickly discovered that the three people were merely reflections in a mirror.

“If it makes you feel better, I’ll be right next door,” said Aiko, who then made her way to the adjacent room. “Good night.” And with that, she closed the door and left James and Jaycee to figure out how they would be spending the night.

“We should probably get to bed now,” said Jaycee, unable to look James in the eye.

“Uh, yeah,” replied James, also doing his best to avoid eye contact.

When the two entered their room, a feeling of relief filled them when they discovered there were two beds waiting for them.

The next few hours went by without incident. So uneventful was the night that Archer was afforded the opportunity to take a break from guard duty to watch the falling rain. After wiping away a thick layer of dust from the glass, he quickly became mesmerized by the steady downpour outside.

The serenity of the moment was broken when a sound came from the next room. Archer cautiously opened one of the large double doors and looked inside. There were no windows in the room, making it impossible for him to see.

“Hello,” called out Archer. “Is there someone in here?”

After receiving no reply, Archer ventured into the room. After taking only a few steps, the door slammed shut behind him.

James couldn’t help but toss and turn as sleep continued to elude him. When he looked to Jaycee, he found her deep in slumber. The angelic look upon her face made Jaycee look as if she hadn’t a care in the world.

Realizing that sleep wouldn’t come to him no matter how much he fussed, James left to check on Archer. He was sure the events of the day had finally taken their toll on him, so James would take Archer’s place on watch. But Archer was nowhere to be found when James arrived downstairs.

“Archer, are you down here?” asked James. He tried to enter the next room but the door was locked light. Little did James know that Archer was on the other side banging his fists against the door and trying desperately to get it open, but something was keeping any noise either was making from traveling to the other side.

Believing Archer might be outside, James opened the front door and took a look at his shadowy surroundings. With such a storm raging, it seemed no one would be fool enough to be out in such conditions. But to his utter shock James found someone in the distance. The Beast was lurking in the shadows and watching him.

Aiko was awoken when someone entered her room. Opening her tired eyes, Aiko found Jaycee. “Jaycee,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” replied Jaycee.

“I thought you would want to be with James.”

“He was keeping me awake with his snoring. Can I sleep with you?”

Aiko took a long look at Jaycee before replying. “Fine,” she said, pulling back the covers and allowing Jaycee into her bed. “But don’t go kicking like you usually do in your sleep.”

“You noticed that?” asked Jaycee.

“I notice everything. Like that mole you have by your left eye. It’s not easy to see, but if you look closely enough, you can find it.”

“My mole?”

“Yeah. I also noticed that it’s now under your right eye.” Aiko then draped herself over Jaycee. “So, tell me, Jaycee, who are you really?”

Archer rammed his shoulder into the door but it refused to budge. “Is anyone out there?” he shouted. “Can anyone hear me?”

Candles scattered along the walls spontaneously lit, producing enough light to show that the room was no mere room, but a grand theater. There were numerous benches on either side of a narrow aisle that led to a stage concealed behind a red velvet curtain. Everything about the atmosphere was regal, including a chandelier hanging over the aisle that was lit with candles to further showcase its magnificence.

Archer was sure he had seen the curtain move, albeit only slightly. Before he could make his next move, though, the curtain flew open, revealing a most peculiar sight. A marionette that was a clear representation of Shadow Kahn was standing upon the stage.

“What is this?” asked Archer.

A marionette that was a representation of King Lionel then lowered onto the stage. With a wave of its hand, the Shadow Kahn marionette sent King Lionel falling to the floor. Once it had been bested, King Lionel was hoisted back from where it had come.

“Is this some kind of joke?” exclaimed Archer.

The next scene consisted of two identical marionettes lowering to the stage. They wore the robes of holy men, making them representations of the Novas of the east and west. With another wave of its hand, Shadow Kahn sent both crumbling to the floor. They, too, were then briskly whisked up from the stage.

Though he was enraged by the degradation of his king, Archer made no advancement, as he was curious to see where the story was going.

The next scene involved a woman in a flowing white gown and long blonde hair. Archer was sure that what he was looking at was a representation of the Nova of the north. This made him all the more eager to watch.

The Shadow Kahn marionette waved its hand but the Nova stood its ground. The Nova of the north then spread its arms, sending Shadow Kahn stumbling backward. Bright lights then began to flash all around the stage. So violently did Shadow Kahn begin to shake when it extended its arm toward its target that it looked as if it might soon fall to pieces. It was clear that even though it was on the attack, the Shadow Kahn marionette was paying a heavy price for what it was about to do. With one intense flash of light, the Nova of the north was sent crumbling to the floor like all the others before her.

“What a grand show,” said a clapping Archer. “Why don’t you come out here so I can properly thank you for such a wonderful performance?”

A familiar laugh then filled the room. Though he had heard it only once, it was a laugh Archer would never forget. “Don’t tell me.”

Once the marionettes had been whisked up and out of sight, a most disturbing event took place. The skull faced jester previously encountered at King Lionel’s throne room dropped down to the stage. He looked no worse for wear from what James had done to him.

“I thought we had already gotten rid of you,” said Archer.

After treating Archer to more gruesome laughter, the jester proceeded to remove its head and cradle it in its arms.

Jaycee was woken from her deep in slumber when the door flew open. She was in utter disbelief to find Aiko and what looked like herself rolling around on the floor.

“What’s going on?” asked Jaycee.

Aiko stood at Jaycee’s bedside, while the false Jaycee slammed the door and blocked the way out. “This thing came out of the mirror at the end of the hall,” said Aiko. “She wasn’t so quick to tell me, but you’d be surprised by how much information you can get out of someone when you have them in a choke hold.”

Archer drew an arrow and directed it at his foe, but flashbacks of Raspheet began running through his mind. Conventional means did nothing to slow down one foe, so it was assumed that this foe would be no different. Something that could remove its head whenever it chose to was most likely something that could withstand the pierce of an arrow.

The jester replaced its head and leaped from the stage.

As his foe grew closer, Archer realized the chandelier was hanging by a less than sturdy looking rope. With a precision that no bowman could match, Archer fired an arrow, slashing the rope and sending the chandelier falling. On top of the jester it landed, knocking off its head.

“I thought something like that would have made you laugh,” said Archer, who wasted no time in crushing the jester’s head beneath his boot.

The relief Archer was feeling was quickly quelled when he found a candle from the chandelier had rolled into a low hanging tapestry and set it ablaze.

“What is that?” gasped James.

The Beast had watched James long enough and began its advance.

James slammed the door shut and locked it. “Everyone!” he shouted. “Wake up!”

What James didn’t know was that no matter how loudly he yelled no one would be able to hear any of it.

It wasn’t before long when the knob started to turn. And when it was discovered that the door was locked, the knob began turning more fiercely. Just when it seemed the knob was going to be ripped from the door, the knob stopped turning and an eerie calm returned.

Jaycee and her replica stood ready for battle. Their stances were identical in every way as was the way they gripped their staffs.

“This is not something I was expecting to see tonight,” said Aiko.

Jaycee’s replica began the battle by unleashing a plethora of attacks. But with incredible proficiency, Jaycee blocked every one of them. So little effort had she used that it seemed as if Jaycee had predicted where every attack would be directed.

Having done enough to gauge her enemy, Jaycee unleashed her own assault. She easily found her way through her foe’s defense, striking her numerous times.

Aiko was in awe of the way Jaycee fought. She hadn’t been afforded the opportunity to focus as intently on the battle between Jaycee and Alenia, as her body being encased in ice had taken most of her focus. But now Aiko was being treated to the full beauty of Jaycee’s technique. She marveled at how closely her fighting resembled an elegant dance. The way Jaycee shifted her feet and swung her hips made her fighting a pleasure to behold.

James slowly made his way towards the door. He had to know if that thing was still lurking outside, and the best way to find out was to listen for any sound. But James stopped short, as he knew it was far too great a risk to stand so close to the door when something so monstrous could be mere moments from bursting through it.

The door suddenly unlocked and began to open.

Despite the fear now gripping him, James had the wherewithal to draw his weapon.

Once the door was open, it was revealed that nothing was waiting on the other side. James wondered if the gruesome creature was actually the one who had opened it. For if it had, then it surely would have entered by now.

A floorboard creaked. Already knowing what was behind him, James spun around. The Beast was now no more than an arm’s length away. Rather than showing any kind of aggression, the Beast merely stared at James.

“You're another one of his monsters, aren't you?” asked James. “So why are you just standing there? Why aren't you attacking me?”

When the Beast reached for him, James instinctively went on the attack, slashing the creature’s approaching hand.

The Beast raised its hand to its face to better see the damage that had been done to it. This caused its breathing to become heavy, showing that it had been greatly angered. Much to James’ dismay, the Beast then reached behind its back and retrieved its axe.

James defended against the Beast’s sudden attack but was sent slamming into the wall from its sheer force. Despite his opponent’s overwhelming power, James refused to back down in even the slightest. He unleashed a flurry of his most powerful attacks and didn’t stop swinging his sword until his arms finally gave out.

James’ best effort, however, had done little to turn the fight in his favor. For the Beast had blocked every attack, and had used only one hand in which to hold its axe.

The Beast then went back on the offensive. It attacked James with a strike far stronger than the first. From James’ hand flew his sword and into the wall he was sent. With legs unable to support him, James slumped to the floor.

Before the Beast had the chance to finish James, the already dire situation took an even greater turn for the worst. Sage emerged from the shadows, his sword already in hand.

With no way to escape his fate, James could do little more than flash an angry look at the newcomer. If he was going to die, then James refused to give Sage the satisfaction of knowing that fear had taken a firm hold of him.

The look that grew on his face showed that Sage had become consumed by an incredible rage. So with one powerful swing, Sage cut the Beast’s hand off, and with the hand came its axe. Before the Beast could retaliate, Sage drove his blade through its face, bringing it to its knees. And when Sage drove his blade into the top of the Beast’s head, the battle was over.

“Why would you help me?” asked James.

“You really are a fool,” said Sage. “What makes you think I would ever help you? Your best interest was never in mind. I merely needed to wait for my opportunity, and then I took it.” Sage then gazed at his blade, which now dripped with black blood. “I hope this incident taught you something. If you couldn’t get past that thing, then what chance could you possibly have against the master? You would be wise to abandon your stubborn point of view and just let him have what he wants. He’s going to get it anyway.”

“I can’t do that,” replied James.

“I suppose some people just have to learn things the hard way.” And with that, Sage took his leave through the front door and disappeared into the forest.

Jaycee and Aiko came running down the stairs to find a most gruesome sight waiting for them. James was slumped against the wall and the Beast’s lifeless body was lying in the middle of the lobby in a puddle of black blood.

Jaycee immediately went to him. “James, are you alright?”

“What happened here?” asked Aiko. “How did you . . .”

“What happened with you two?” asked James. “Didn’t you hear me yelling?”

“We didn’t hear a thing,” replied Jaycee.

“Besides, we had our own problem to take care of,” said Aiko.

Upstairs, the replica of Jaycee was lying motionless in the hallway with the mirror she had emerged from lying smashed upon her.

The doors at the far end of the room burst open and out exited Archer. Behind him was a raging inferno. “Why didn’t anyone help me?” he asked.

“You should have said something,” said Aiko.

“I was yelling at the top of my lungs!”

The group departed from the accursed inn shortly thereafter and watched as it burned to the ground. All the while a heavy rain fell upon them.

“I guess we’ll have to find another place to stay,” said Archer.

“That bed sure was comfortable,” said Aiko.

“So close we are to our goal,” said Shadow Kahn. The man looked every bit a member of royalty as he sat upon his lavish throne.

Within a brief area of light in the middle of the darkened room stood Sage.

“The first two fell so very easily,” said Shadow Kahn, “but the third will not go down without a fight. Still, I am confident that I will not fail.”

Shadow Kahn removed himself from his throne and approached Sage. “You did your part well,” he said. With the way he was looming over Sage, Shadow Kahn was even more imposing than usual. “But tell me. What has become of my Beast?”

“It was vanquished by our foes,” replied Sage.

“I see,” said Shadow Kahn. “Then it would seem they are more formidable than we had anticipated. We will have to keep a much closer eye on them.”

“As you wish . . . my lord.”