Legend of Parocaav II: Against the Darkness (rough draft)

Chapter XVII: Roku's Rage, Unleashed

The aura around Roku continues to grow brighter. She starts to scream in anger, letting the rage build even more. At this point, she is embracing the power she holds, that she has never shared with anyone. She has always feared her power, and has never quite understood it. It has had scared her for so long, she doesn't even know if she could ever control it. With the knowledge she has now, of the world of Lady Parocaav herself, Roku can start believing control is possible.

Then, all goes blank in Roku's mind. Rage has now completely overwhelmed her from the inside out. Her aura rises off of her body like smoke and her eyes go black. She looks up at Yle with a crooked smile on her face. Blasts of wind shoot out of her blades, just as she raises her arms up in slash motion. As soon as Yle deflects it, Roku vanishes. He looks around, confused. She drops from above him with her blades pointed down. They stab through the old man's shoulders, making him grunt in pain.

Roku does a backflip and lands a couple feet from Yle. She spins around swiftly, slicing the man's side a few times before he can jump back away from her. Blood pours from Yle's side and shoulders. He attempts to move his arms to make a strike, but finds he cannot move them at all. Roku had pierced him in just the right spots to disable both of his arms. He cannot even move his fingers. Instsantly, he becomes filled with uncertainty. At this moment, he cannot figure out a way to make it through this alive, yet alone win.

"What power is this?" Yle demands to know, "I didn't even see you move!"

Roku stares at him with a blank expression on her face. She cracks a smile then laughs out uncontrollably for a moment, then goes back to staring at the old Wind Mage. She stomps her right foot against the ground and a boulder kicks up from behind Yle. Just as the boulder knocks him off balance, Roku swings her blades at him. Arches of razor wind shoots from the twins and strikes Yle from the front. The rock pushing him forward explodes from the impact. He drops down to his knees, desperate for a way out of this situation.

Roku takes a durable stance, then rushes in towards Yle faster than he can realize what's happening. She stops in front of the old man. One blade is resting in its sheath, the other in Yle's chest. Once the blade is removed, blood gushes from the open wound. He falls face first into the soft dirt, his blood soaking in around him. His eyes lose color as his life leaves his body. A white spirit in the shape of a small dragon lifts up above his body.

"Thank you for freeing me Riinah," Vortex's voice echoes as the small spirit disappears.

As soon as Vortex's spirit is gone, Yle's body vanishes as well. Roku's aura fades away and she drops to her knees feeling exhausted. Drayk and Sammi approach her after lowering their defensive barrier. Sammi is at a loss of words. She cannot believe what had just happened. Drayk kneels down and holds out Roku as she leans into him.

"What.... was that power?" Drayk asks surprised.

"Crito always called it my inner rage. I lose control, but I have not lost a fight," Roku explains.

"Is that why you always try to be so cheery?" Sammi wonders out loud.

"Exactly. Well, that and I am normally that way anyways," Roku jokes, "It does help me control my anger though."

Suddenly, Tao's voice is heard from behind them, "It's more than just rage dear Roku."

"What do you mean?" Roku asks Tao immediately as she turns around to face him.

"Well. It is an essence of your true power. Once you unlock your magic's potential, you will always be that unstoppable," Tao explains, pausing for a brief moment before continuing, "You and Drayk both have a hidden power. That power will be needed to defeat Lady Parocaav. It's the only way you two will be strong enough to win."

"I have that power within me as well? I've never even seen that power unleashed," Drayk sighs.

"Oh, but you have. How do you think you defeated Grimm? Or Lord Xivaac for that matter. You have had a glimmer of what you're both capable of," Tao answers.

"Why do you just keep saying the two of them? What about me?" Sammi asks a little flustered.

Tao doesn't answer right away. He just turns to look away from the three of them. He mutters under his breath what he wants to tell her, trying to remain unheard.

"Spit it out Tao! I deserve to know!" Sammi exclaims.

Tao turns back around and hesitantly answer her, "You.... Sammi.... are not really a Bringer of Hope.... you will succumb to the darkness within you once again. Xivaac helped give you ultimate power, but it was at a cost."

"That's nonsense!" Sammi screams as she runs off towards the beach.

"....Tao," Roku sighs, "You can't mean that."

"I hate to say it, but it's true," Tao says as he shakes his head, "Anyway, Roku. You will find a way to unlock your power in all due time."

Drayk opens his mouth as if he is about to say something, but then decides against it. He chases after Sammi, running down towards the water's edge. Roku watches him run after her, then turns to look at Tao again. Her face shows her confusion about everything.

"Tao. Why has this 'power' only been unleashed through anger?" Roku asks.

"You know, I'm not sure," Tao replies.

"Who are you really? How do you know all of this about me? About us?"

"All you guys need to know for right now, is my name, Tao of Ragnarok. I was sent here by Leon to watch over you three and make sure you and Drayk complete your quest."

"Tao?"

"Yeah?"

"Even if what you said is true.... you really hurt Sammi."

"I cannot defend what I did, but it was her will to know. She deserves to know the truth. I'm sure it has helped her recognize what has been going on her mind."