sʜᴀᴛᴛᴇʀɪɴɢ [Kingdom of Loathing fanfiction]

Chapter 28

Me and My Nemesis
(The Ultimately Final Blow)

***

I turned on my heels, as I was close to regain the exit of the volcano. I was close to reach a platform... but what made me stop on my track was a low, thundering sound. The rocky island then shuddered beneath my feet, as a tremendous rumbling shook the entiere cavern. I fell to my knees, now holding firmly on the ground.

''W-WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON ?!'' I shouted.

Soon after, an explosion of lava bursted from the fiery lake, and I quickly covered my face to protect myself from flying droplets of red-hot magma. Dramatic organ music filled the air (or at least you could hear some) as I slowly lowered my hands to then witness a monstrosity rising from the molten rock. I widen my eyes. My heart missed a beat. I could feel my stomach, as well as many of my various organs rotting on the spot. I broke into a shower of sweat... that... that just couldn't be...!

Wreathed in flames, Gorgolok levitated into the air, his skin burned black and red, and long claw-tipped tentacles sprouting from his spine, writhing in the steaming haze. The both of us stood there, silent, asides from a low growl coming from him. He stared deeply at my direction, as if piercing through my body to reach my soul. The meer definition of ''evil'' couldn't be enough to describe what kind of atrocity was now facing me, certainly ready to tear my body into a million of shreds.

Now howling wordlessly in pain and fury, he swooped down at me, knocking me backwards with his tail. I was sent away till I hit the stone altar heavily. I could feel as if my spine broke on that moment. I coughed out blood, then sat, dazed, only being able to watch as the demonic beast prepared to charge me again. I could only witness, helplessly, now feeling my body going in crumbles.

N-No... that can't be... I have to stand up... I have to...!

I straightened up myself, holding my hammer desesperatly, and facing it to him, now panting as if my lungs were filled with ashes. The Demonic Hellseal only watched and laughed harshly, before I could see one of the tentacles rushing to my direction. I closed my eyes tightly, gasping.
But then, just before it could hit me, there was a blinding flash of light, and a chorus of heavenly voices rose in counterpoint to the ominous organ music. Then, all became white to my vision. I could only watch, as now appeared Mom's ghostly silhouette that walked to face me. She then kneeled down in front of me, posing hands on my shoulders. She addressed me a sadden smile.

''Please, Sonja, I beg of you,'' she told me, ''do not give up so soon. You have yet to finish up this battle. I want you to succeed. You can do it, sweetheart, I believe in you winning it ! Here... allow me to bless your weapon, for you will need even more than normally requiered to slain him... please, Sonja, oh, my sweet child... do not give up... I believe in you.''

Her voice, the white room, the heavenly choir... all of it disappeared, only to leave me in the same volcanic cave, with a sudden push of energy growing in my body. I suddenly felt something in my wrist. I looked at it. I then watched, mystified, as my Hammer of Smiting transformed before my eyes, soon becoming an ancient short-handled sledgehammer, the iron head engraved with glowing runes of antiquity. The light faded. The hammer rose into the air, pulling me to my feet. Once I felt my feet on the floor, I flinched, then glanced another time at the newest form of my Nemesis.

Gorgolok roared again, the only discernible word being: "DESTROY !"
One of his tentacles stabbed at the ground; the claw broke off in the rock, but quickly regenerated. Then, there was another low rumble, and with a tearing, splitting noise, long bony spikes bursted from the floor and shot into the air, surrounding Gorgolok in a protective cage that shifted and whirled around him. He yelled it again. I struggled to keep balance as the cavern shook, some parts of rocky walls eventually falling in the lava lake, from Gorgolok's howls of rage.