Age of Darkness

Chapter 40: The Final Battle

It takes a while to reach the doors, as we are swarmed by enemy soldiers. At first, we fight our way through them, but finally, I get fed up, and throw the whole bunch of them out of the way with magic. I almost don't make it to the doors, it's worse than the first wave. I hear Zelda behind me, protecting the people. She's right, they need Elizabeth, and all the help they can get to take care of down here. Zirkon is my task...

I stumble to the doors, exhausted. But Elizabeth is still at my side, so I feel like I can rule the world, still. She takes my hands, and pulls me close.

''You look terrible, how are you going to stop Zirkon, looking the way you do?''

''Gee, thanks.''

''Sorry, Nicholas. Hard to remain positive, but... But I have to, and I will.''

''What do I do? I don't even...''

''Just... Stay alive. Stay alive, and we'll come. It ends today,'' she pulls me quickly into a hug. ''I love you, and I... Don't die, promise me.''

''I love you too, I whisper in her ear. I'll try my best, I promise you.'' I manage a weak smile, and she returns it. We stand there awkwardly for a moment, then I snap back into reality, and turn to the door.

''I'll see you, well, I'll see you in a bit,'' she says, trying to stay positive in a not so positive time. I'm scared, to be honest. I'm scared, and I... I don't want to die, but, I need to face my destiny. And if I don't do this, then we will all die.

''See you, Elizabeth,'' I push open the door. She looks at me for one more moment, a tear forming in the corner of her eye, then she turns, and whispers to me one more time.

''I love you.''

''I love you, too,'' and I turn and walk away, into the castle, with all the courage I've got. More like stupidity...

I walk through the halls like a man walking to his own execution. I'm a zombie, I trudge along, staring at the ground. For the first time, I have no positive thoughts, no snappy ideas, nothing. Just fear. Fear of death. I force the thoughts out of my mind. No, you think you're going to die, and you'll die. I'm like the people outside, I need hope. With hope...

The place is in ruin. The walls are crumbling, the great paintings torn. It's a shadow of its former self. I'm sorta just roaming around, not exactly sure where to go. I don't care. My mind is broken.

No, just stop. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Nicholas. Be strong. I lift my head up, and with a new invigor, I approach two wide doors, which I assume lead to the throne room, where I hope Zirkon is. I place my hand to the door. Yes, I feel his presence. I can feel the despair.

Suddenly, the huge doors creak open, bit by bit, revealing a beautiful room, filled with stained glass windows, and paintings. I look along the wall, and I see a storg, a history, a timeline, I showing of the events in Zaria's history. It's a lot to take in. Finally, at the bck of the room, seated at a golden throne, is the only eyesore in the room: Zirkon.

His eyes lock on me, and he smiles. His smile is a cruel one, with a hint of insanty. He's dressed in black robes. Layers and layers of black, as if he is a shadow himself, They envelope him, like a shroud of darkness. His eyes see all, and they are as black as his clothes. Those eyes have seen much.

''Ah, Nicholas Drake! So, you have found the stupidity to come. I thought cowardice would overcome you, but it seems not so.''

He stands up from the throne, and walks around it.

''I guess I must congratulate you on making it this far. Never could I have thought that this boy that I met... It feels like so long, doesn't it? But it must only be a month. Perhaps two. I would have never believed that foolish boy would be such a pest. Such a thorn in my side. All these weeks, I have kicked myself over the weeks, for not killing you when I had the chance. That day at the tower, that's when I should have saved myself so much trouble.''