The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 75: Declaration (Part 2)

I nodded once to Ratansi and the Old Man, waved to Ria and walked into the expanse. Like before, my senses were pulled for a trip. A step later we crossed through and entered the stonework of the Core's labyrinth. Ratansi led the way and rushed towards the main chamber. It didn't take us long as we reached the circular room and the sight in front of us caused us all to halt.

"Come on then!" a maddened voice bellowed. "Just open up!" It was Kazu, he stood on top the Core, smashing it again and again with a shining metal hammer. The entire room had been broken apart with gouges torn throughout the stonework. Steel pillars, blades and coils pierced haphazardly about the space and against one wall was the Guardian, pinned by blood red spears and twitching, reaching out towards Kazu. The elf had his back turned to us, but even then, we could all see the crown of crystals that sprouted around his head, each of them burning crimson.

"Stop!" I screamed and drew my sword from my inventory.

"Oh?" Kazu turned around on top the core, his frustration clearing into a twisted smile. "You're here sooner than I expected."

"Kazu, what have you done?" Ratansi yelled at him confused as he gestured to the destruction. "Are you insane?"

"Me? Insane?" he giggled, turning it to a sneer. "No..., my eyes have never been clearer. What point is there to living under another's will! We must break free and conquer what is our birthright!"

Ratansi's confusion only grew, but I understood and stepped forward, "What did you do?"

Kazu grinned, "Me? I simply set things in motion. I got tired of waiting and struck while the iron was hot."

"You began the Merge...."

"Well, aren't you the smart cookie," Kazu mirthfully cheered.

"Ardent, what's going on?" Ratansi asked me. "That thing... is it really Kazu?"

"In a way," I grit my teeth, my brain churning to explain it all as my body readied to fight.

Kazu dropped the hammer and stood with his arms raised gallantly, "Indeed I am Kazu Hinterhold, but I am more than just him now. I carry the truth and I owe it all to you Ardent."

"How are you even-."

"Did you really think I wouldn't try to understand more? The fragment of my soul saw it all and that other me, he shared something oh so special." He began to shout, "You saw it yourself Ardent! I was right! This World's will, the Core, it simply holds us back from becoming more! We can take the world in our hands and be free!"

Ratansi frowned, "I don't understand. Kazu, you more than most should know what it means to begin the Merge. It can't be undone. Why are you attacking the Core?"

"Because it is the enemy," Kazu replied as if it were a matter of fact. "Ratansi my dear companion, Morgan my friend, I am many things, but I am not a liar. Believe in me."

"Ha!" the Old Man scoffed. "You may not lie but you spin the truth and hide to your favour. Ardent he's become a demon, hasn't he?"

I paused but there was no doubting it, "Yes."

Kazu started to laugh slowly turning it into a frightening cackle, "'Yes', he says. We have so much more in common Ardy boy. I used the powers of the Faceless King to defeat the Guardian just like you! More so, at least I never destroyed the Core! Yet at least."