Memories of the Forgotten

Yup, this is it... a 3 chapter update! Most I've done in a while, so that's my excuse! So there!

Chapter 29


"So, in the end it comes down to me..." Midas stood waiting in the next room, knowing that they would come. And by 'they' he knew it was those foolish to defy his master. They were fighting to protect, to save this already doomed world. It was doomed, it had always been doomed. All it took was just how long it had to go before that moment when destruction would be all that remained.

"Still... it is to be expected. Hieas was a mere lowly demon, born to serve and die for his master... and Elno was only a pitiful human, blinded by hatred and easily bended to our will..." He shook his head in disdain, and looked up to the ceiling of the room. "Still, only I remain... the true bond to my master. His power... reincarnated in my body. I will not fail him..." Midas gazed to the doorway that he knew his opponent would come through. And he also knew exactly which opponent he would face.

"I'm waiting... I cannot lose!"


Under advise from Jessica, the group had decided to rest up. Despite Aivon's claims that he was fine, Jessica insisted that he rest up a bit and recover his wounds. John had decided to explore up ahead, while Jessica took some of their rations they had saved and had Aivon eat something to help his healing process quicken. As John walked down the hallway, his footsteps echoed out as he gazed upon the stone floor and walls. He wondered how much time was left and if he wasn't already too late. He had known that the light in the room behind them had been a false sense of the outside.

Soon enough he saw it, the doorway that led to his next destination. He could no longer see Jessica or Aivon behind him, only hear the faint voices of them speaking. And even then he had no idea which voice belonged to them. He gazed at the door, long and hard before coming to the conclusion that he was the only person still in fit enough form to fight. He wasn't sure Jessica would be able to handle whoever or whatever stood beyond the door, so John decided that he would go.

His arm reached out and touched the door, pushing it open. He knew it would be foolish to head on alone, but he was certain that Jessica and Aivon would catch up. Besides, he had no intention of getting them in harm's way, especially since Aivon was in no condition to be fighting at all. As the door swung open, John caught sight of the room, a square shaped, well lit one. And just like before, his opponent was waiting in clear sight.

"Should have known..."

"It is a pleasure to see you as well, John. It's been some time, hasn't it?" Midas smirked, knowing full well that John would not only come to fight, but do it alone too. The doors closed shut and locked themselves, keeping anyone else from entering. "It seems you've gotten stronger since we last met."

"Yeah... Midas. Why are you doing this? What happened?"

"I have seen the true realization of my power and what I was meant to do. I am Lord Mammon's servent, and I will always be that. I was born for the purpose of reviving his body, and at long last that dream will soon no longer be a mere dream. It will be real." John said nothing, only drawing his blade, readying for the inevitable fight to ensue. "Aaron... I gave it to you once before so it is only fair I do so now. You may leave, abandon your journey and walk away with your life..." Midas drew out his own two daggers. "Or you can allow yourself to be thrown about by the winds of Fate."

"Neither. I'm following my own Destiny, and right now it's telling me that I must press on. I will save my daughter or die trying. I won't run away, because that Midas is no longer an option."

Midas smirked at the confidence that John showed. "You truely have changed John... That you would seek your own demise simply to save your offspring. Compassion? Is that what you humans called it?" Midas started to laugh. "You and your emotions... they will only lead you to death John. Acting rashly, diving head-first into trouble when you don't even know if you'll make it out alive... Truely you humans are to be despised for such behavior."

"You know... I never did get that rematch. Remember, when we first met? How you defeated me like that? I always swore I would never lose to you again and trained my very hardest in hopes of challenging you again one day."

"Then allow for a repeat performance. You still have no chance against me, and the sad fact of it all is... you never will!" With that, he slashed his blade downward, unleashing a 'Wind Blade' spell. John focused his fire magic into his blade before slicing apart the wind energy.

"I think otherwise!" John got into position, his sword still burning with flames. "Flare Storm!"

"Wind Cutter!" Both spells canceled each other out as Midas rushed in for a blow. John blocked with his own sword, now devoid of fire but still very hot to the touch. After a few quick blows, Midas pulled back, focusing energy into his hands. John knew what was coming and readied his own power. "Wind Bomb!" Midas shouted, unleashing his channeled wind magic.

"Aqua Burst!" John's water magic rushed to meet the 'Wind Bomb' spell, the two colliding and spraying water all around as though it were raining. The drops of water that fell onto John's sword immediately turned to steam. "Sorry Midas, you're going to have to do better," John taunted, hoping to enrage Midas and thus try to make his movements more predictable. Midas charged again, though John didn't raise his sword. "Earth Armor!"

As Midas' blade swung down, instantly the earth rose up, covering John in protective armor. The blade struck the armor, unable to pierce the defensive spell and leaving John to strike with his fist, still covered up by the solid earth. The force of the punch was enough to send Midas flying, his blade falling from his hand and landing nearby where his body was. John dispelled his armor, believing the battle to be over.

"Guess you weren't really that tough after all," he said, moving to open the door back to where he came and bring Aivon and Jessica through. However, the door remined firmly locked, and John turned around in time to see Midas on his feet again, clutching both his daggers.

"Wrong Aaron. I'm just getting started." With that, he reached under his collar to reveal his pendant. He grasped it in his hand, and closed his eyes. Suddenly, a black light began to penetrate his hold, as his pendant glowed. The wounds on Midas' body, though minor, healed over and John could now sense that he was stronger then went he had first arrived. "That's better. Master Mammon's special artifacts really give me a boost..."

"Oh great..."

"Not as easy as you'd like to think, huh John?" Midas readied himself to continue the battle, his pendant now out and around his neck, the glow fading somewhat yet not gone entirely. "Now, I'll show you true dark power..."

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"He's been gone awhile..." Jessica was starting to worry about this. John had been gone for almost three-fourths of an hour now and still had yet to return. Now she was worried, hoping that he was alright. "Wish he would come back..."

"I think I'm ok now... maybe we should go on and check up on him..." Aivon struggled to get up, yet had no trouble with walking. Jessica nodded, believing him to be back to a managable health level, provided he didn't do something too exhausting.

They both continued to follow the path, lighted by the torches until they had reached the door that John had previously gone through. Aivon reached out and grabbed the handle, but couldn't open it. He pulled with all his strength, yet the door didn't budge an inch. "This is strange..." Jessica said. "Why would it be locked? The other's weren't..."

"Yeah they were. Except that they locked only after we had entered the room. John's inside, fighting who knows what..." Aivon reached back and slammed his fist into the door, a loud echo of banging metal reaching out. However, the door showed no signs of evening recieving a dent, and now Aivon was cursing under his breath, his hand hurting like hell. "Ok, bad idea..."

"I hope John's ok in there..." Jessica said in a worried tone, unable to tell how well he was doing and unable to help should he need it.