The End of an Era

A Glimmer of Hope

     Razz finds himself in an endless expanse of roaring flames. He's been here before. A few times. This is the final resting place of the Hero known as Azriel Vulkan or, more commonly, Razz of Ember. He sighs deeply. Every time he's found himself here it's been harder and harder to escape. Razz turns. His will to leave manifests as the door back to the living world. Placing his hands on the door, Razz pushes with all his might to force them open.

     "Why couldn't they put a door knob on this thing?!" He shouts as the doors refuse to open. Letting out a ferocious roar he causes the doors to part slightly. Razz grits his teeth straining every muscle in his body. But as soon as he relents even the slightest amount the doors slam shut again. Razz slams a fist into the door cursing loudly.

     "Dad?"

    Razz freezes and turns. He almost doesn't recognize him. The last time they were face to face he was corrupted by The Cold. But the moment of uncertainty doesn't last long. Kromac throws his arms around Razz.

     "Kid? What are you doing here?" Razz asks returning the embrace.

     "After our fight I woke up here. I've been waiting her in this place for sometime with the people who said they know you. There's even this one Lady who said that we're related?" Kromac answers.

     "Lady? What Lady?" Razz asks confused.

     "I didn't say we're related. I said I'm pretty much your auntie." 

     Razz is once again speechless. His childhood friend who was killed by The Cold a dozen cycles ago appears before him. As do countless other people Razz has lost on his journey here. They all gather around. Friends and Family alike smile warmly and congratulate Razz.

     "But why now? I've been here before." Razz is too worked up to think straight.

     "Because now is when you needed us." His mother answers. "Now you have a friend to save. We'll help you get back to where you need to be. The rest is up to you."

     Razz fights back tears. With a sniffle and a ear to ear smile he nods. "Thank you." Placing his hands on the door once more everyone places a hand on his back. It is reassurance he didn't know he needed. As soon as Razz resolves to open the doors they fly off their hinges.

          Razz sits upright the moment his eyes are open. He looks around but his vision is obscured by what seems to be a helmet. Pulling the protective headwear off he inspects it closer. He rests his forehead against it when he realizes what it is. His son's shield refashioned into protection for his hero. Razz stands up and puts the helmet back on. The moment the helmet is is place a suit of armor complete with a flowing emblazoned mantle erupts into existence. Razz picks up Nevershatter and tucks it into it's sling at his back.

     When Razz emerges into the next room he sees Blaze sitting on the floor, stunned. Razz rushes over and kneels to aid Blaze. Blaze just sits there like he can't understand what just happened. He turns to face Razz.

     "He sacrificed... he sacrificed himself to save my sisters." Blaze says still not sure he believes it. After all the fighting and hatred between the two of them. Vincent wrote himself into the sacrificial clause of the curse on his sisters. 

     "Can you stand?" Razz asks Blaze. Blaze nods. "You can return to your sisters if you want. No one would think any less of you."

     Blaze scoffs and brushes past Razz as he stands up. "I'm going to see this through to the end. After all if everyone else screws this up who else is going to save the day? That's right. No one but yours truly." Blaze jokes haughtily. Razz sighs then chuckles and shakes his head.

     The two of them take off towards the next room. Passing through the experiment containment facility they emerge into Sin's room. Cael shakes off the last of the ice and snow as he stands. He is recovering at a staggering pace. Blaze instantly recognizes why.

     "You are consuming your own timeline." Blaze says. 

     "It's a necessary measure. I wouldn't have won otherwise." Cael replies.

     "You're old now." Razz blurts out. "Like really old. Older than I am now." Cael chuckles 

     "I guess I am. What of it?" Cael asks. Razz shrugs.

     "I like your beard."

     "We're wasting time ladies." Blaze says and presses forwards. Cael and Razz follow. 

     The three of them pass through the cosmos that is Alistair's room, marveling only briefly at the beauty of it. The way forward is already open. As they rush down the hallway that leads to Zaak they feel a powerful surge of energy being disrupted. It reverberates in the hallway and gives everyone a moment of pause. As they resume their sprint Lexianna's voice rings out in the wake of the booming disruption.

     "It's over Zaak. We've won."

     "You've done nothing but delay my plans by a few fleeting moments. After I defeat you all I'll resume my Reality Bomb. This is not a fight you can win." Zaak answers.

     Razz, Cael, and Blaze emerge into the room. They slow until they reach Lexianna then stand behind her as Zaak slowly descends a staircase that ceases to exist as his feet touch the flat crystalline ground. The aperture where he was creating the Reality Bomb vanishes as well. Now they are left in a vast endless plane lit by starlight alone.