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

Chapter XX: Essence of Lord Xivaac

Out in a barren wasteland of dirt and dead brush, a lone shack stands free. Its wood is aged, and yet is holding strong. The area to the north has started to fade to grey. The life of Gaia is running short. Soon enough, the planet will be absorbed. It won't be long until the drain reaches civilization. A flash of light disturbs the area for a brief moment as Tao appears before the shack. He looks out beyond the shack and sighs. After a few seconds, he walks over to the shack and knocks on the door. Sounds of unlocking chains and locks are heard just before the door swings open.

"Ah, good to see you again. Tao is what you're sticking with, right?" Bahemyth asks jokingly.

"That's right. It is not yet time to reveal who I really am," Tao sighs, "Besides, I've grown accustomed to this persona."

"I can imagine so. You used it for what, seven years during the Ragnarok Wars?"

"That's right. Damn. Has it been that long since I've been back here?"

"I enjoy you humans. You're all entertaining with your concept of 'time'."

"May I come in? I need to speak with you in regards to this whole thing."

"Are you sure you're ready to have our next chat?"

"Yes. I am. There are some things I would like to know."

"If you insist you're ready, come on in."

Bahemyth leads Tao down the tall spiral staircase, down into his labyrinth. Disgusted by this place, he looks away to avoid seeing anyone from another part of time. In a place like this, anytime is possible. As much as he enjoys this place, it's definitely not suited for mortals. Time can easily be escaped and forgotten here. Once they reach the bottom of the stairs, they walk down a long curved hallway till it dead ends. Bahemyth opens the door and gestures for Tao to enter.

The room they have gone to is small with no decoration whatsoever. All that's in the tiny room is a table and two chairs. It reminds Tao of an interrogation room used in ancient times during the Ragnarok Wars. A small blank room with solid white walls. Bahemyth sits down in the chair furthest from the door and Tao sits across from him.

"You may speak freely here, 'Tao'," Bahemyth mentions as soon as Tao sits down.

"Thank you. You see, I'm worried about what will happen once Lady Parocaav has drained the planet," Tao starts off immediately, "I-"

"Enough Tao. You know I cannot share what the future holds. Are you uncertain of the Bringers' ability to defeat the goddess? They easily took down Lord Xivaac."

"You know as well as I, that Lord Xivaac is very much 'alive'. Don't mock me sir."

"The God of Darkness is dead, be certain of that. His power, essence and spirit are not. I'm sure that's what you mean. Yes, Sammi has indeed inherited his power."

"Lady Samantha.... she's become the deity of darkness in his place. I know. It's happening now.... well, it was when I got here. I know the timeline means nothing here."

"She is gone. There's no way to save her now. She is as corrupt as Xivaac ever was, and even more powerful. Lady Parocaav needed a new puppet to control. Xivaac's power is eternal you know. Even after death, his power remains. Now that the power of Xivaac has completely consumed Samantha, there's nothing that can be done. She'll need to be defeated as well to truly end the suffering of this world."

"Parocaav.... Bahemyth, do you ever visit the ancient past from before she came to this world?"

"Every once in awhile, yes. Why are you asking about that?"

"What was this planet really like?"

"You'll see what it was like, eventually. Now then, on to business."

Meanwhile ~

Out in a small park tucked away in a small abandoned town, Drayk is sitting on a bench he had cleared free of weeds. He is staring up at the sunrise, enjoying its beauty and warmth. A bottled beer is sitting next to him and he's sipping from another. His face puckers from the bitter warm beer. Not a great tasting beer, but he couldn't be picky. In mid-sip he senses something dark nearby. His eyes scour the sky above, watching for an explosive flare shot. Feeling nervous, he jumps to his feet and shoots himself up into the air with a blast of wind.

Higher and higher he goes, until he can see the coastline all the way around the giant island. As he floats back down, Drayk spots a watery dome miles out to the east. Immediately, he starts heading in that direction using Wind Magic, riding the winds. A familiarity fills Drayk's heart, and his stomach churns. Xivaac. It couldn't be. The power he senses is unmistakable, it has to be Xivaac. The dome disappears before he reaches its location. Once he reaches where it was, he finds it scarce of anyone. Drayk cannot even sense Xivaac's presence any more either.

"Xivaac? It can't be. Lady Parocaav has no need for you...." Drayk says under his breath.

Suddenly a wave of water crashes down on Drayk from above. The water lifts up in the air, then drops onto him again. He immediately shoots a fireball up into the sky, covered with a veil of wind. Water shoots from a nearby stream at the fireball, but the wind helps keep it lit. Once it gets very high up above the island, it explodes in a violent explosion. A sonicboom shoots out and the blast echoes across the giant island.

Water continues to strike at Drayk. He finds an opportune moment, and slips free of assault. He slams his right foot against the ground and a rock wall shoots up shield him. A woman's laugh is heard before the water slams against the rock wall. The laughter gets louder and closer until Merii comes into view from near some trees. She snaps her fingers and a small explosion shatters the rock before Drayk.

"I've gotten used to this Ragnarok Magic. Very powerful stuff," Merii laughs, "It's amazing how much time can be lost and gained in that labyrinth."

"You do look a bit older," Drayk says.

"Indeed. Curious thing that a place standing still in time.... yet it's possible to age. Bahemyth calls it a 'mortal's curse'."

"Don't tell me you found a way to bring back the Dark Lord Xivaac."

"In a way, sort of."

"Explain yourself!"

"Settle down Bringer of Hope. Your sister, Sammi, has embraced the darkness within her. Xivaac gave her more than dark power that day, he gave her his power itself. His very essence is part of who your sister is now. Xivaac is dead, but his power and legacy live on."

"You're lying!"

"Listen, Drayk, I have no reason to lie to you. I personally don't care enough about how you feel anyways. My purpose, as it always has, is to destroy my sister. I will get my revenge on Riinah."

"You're just insane! I won't let you harm her! And if what you're saying is true.... then I will find a way to bring her back again!"

"You will die trying fool. Give up on your sister as I have mine. You'll be in a happier mood for when I kill you! I won't let you interfere! I'm not letting Riinah escape me again.... today's the day I kill her."