"The last two pillars have fallen. They have protected us for two eons. An endless war sits but moments away. I pray we are ready."

  Smoke rises from the west. A foul omen? Aden ponders. Smoke billowed as the sky filled with menacing silhouettes. Blood-curdling screams cried out from all reaches of the land. The moment the last pillar fell, the world turned upside down, thrown into utter chaos. Aden mounted his horse riding for Graymoor. He rode his horse hard for three days. The first town he reached looked unrecognizable. Three massive fissures tore through the town's center. The putrid scent of sulfur and rotting flesh wafted from the tears. Every structure burnt to the ground only a few towns folk remained trying to fend off the horrifying creatures spawn from the fissures. Aden lept Barely a day after the last Pillar fell and the world was completely consumed by the unsealed evil. The whole world looked to be burning.

  Exhausted from four days of riding, Aden stopped for the night, discovering a hidden cave off the main road. Tying his horse to a nearby tree, he cautiously unsheathed his sword approaching its entrance. Aden focused, the mana swirling in his palm. Vibrant yellow and orange flames danced gently above his palm, illuminating the cave's entrance.

  The flames did little to permeate the darkness, but he heard something stirring deep within. Gently blowing, the flame lofts forward, lighting the dark depths. Light reflects off the slimy rocks casting wild shadows. Grrr GRRR… GRRR! Aden stepped back slowly. The dwindling flames;

  casts a monstrous shadow, a four-legged beast hiding in the dark. A dire wolf, Aden thought, tightening the grip on the sword. His muscles constricted, his eyes strained, attempting to adjust to the pitch-black cave. He tries to conjure the flame spell again, but his growing fear breaks his concentration. A blistering roar reverberates throughout the cave. Followed by claws striking hard against the rocky ground. A large black shadow came Barreling out of the depths toward Aden.

  "Shit!" Aden shouts, shaking his right hand. "Fear blocks your concentration." A voice whispers in Aden's head. "Too quick to hesitate." It whispers. Look past the fear; all will become clear." Aden breathes deep, remembering his late master's training. His breathing stabilizes, raising his right hand to level with his chest. Mana rapidly gathers in his palm. He would only have one chance to bring the creature down. The sword in his left hand corked back by his face, ready to make a fatal thrust. The mana ignites into a giant fireball. The creature charged full speed through the cave. It leaps from the darkness; Aden hurls the fireball.

  The fireball consumes the creature, disabling it; Aden swiftly swings his sword cleaving off its head. Blood splatters everywhere as the beast's charred remains hit the floor. He knelt beside the carcass. He Whispered a prayer for the dead before taking shelter in the cave. For the first time, Aden was able to use his magic offensively. Burnt hair and blood stung Aden's nostrils.

  "2 eons ago, the world was shrouded in darkness ruled by a ruthless demon. The demon ruled the world for ten thousand years before a group of heroes known as the Pillars sealed the demon lord. However, it was not a victory; they could not kill the demon. Their last resort was to band together, sacrificing themselves, sealing its immense power. The heroes turned themselves into stone pillars. They scattered themselves across the world, guarded by a sacred beast. Waiting for the day someone would become strong enough to defeat the demon forever…."

  THUD! Aden slams the old textbook shut. "These are important lessons." "Yeah, but this old text is still…." Aden says. "One day, the world might call upon you." "No one has even come close to having half the magical power," Aden said. "Awe, yes, but one will." "Master, look!" Aden shouted eagerly. Aden's master looked over, smiling. (One day, this child will save us all). "So if the heroes were supposed to bring peace to the land, why is there still so much evil," Aden asked? "Great question, my boy." "Darkness lives in the heart of all beings." "Nerves forget that. Even the greatest of us darkness hides." "So would that mean in the darkness there could still be light?" "Aden, my boy, you are wise for one so small." His master said, patting him on the head.

  Three years ago, his master died. In her last moments, she imparted all of her knowledge to Aden. Her lessons often came to his mind, but in the previous few weeks, all his dreams were of her and all they learned, traveling the world. His eyes snapped open; soft orange rays of light filled the cave. "Dawn already," Aden said. Aden hoisted himself up from the ground. His eyes glanced at the lifeless husk next to him. He felt sorry for the beast offering another prayer for his fallen foe.

  Aden sensed a change in himself that morning. Like all of the lessons from his late master were finally sinking in. His head throbbed. Each lecture boomed inside his head, etching themselves into his mind, toppling to his knees in anguish before collapsing. Finally, they slowed until only one image remained. Images of his mentor (his mother) filled his mind. Her ebony hair tied back in a noted bun, her slender round face flashing her noble smile. Her bright emerald green eyes contrasted against her dark purple skin. She was a race of demons that broke away from their Lord. They taught the heroes how to create the pillars.

  Finally able to stand, Aden grabbed the horse's reins, leaping atop the steed. They rode for two days straight. The large steel gates of Greymoor loomed in the distance. The sizable thick steel doors gradually open as Aden rides closer. Three figures in gray hooded robes emerge in anticipation of Aden's arrival.

  "Awe, good sir, welcome," one says. Her voice was soft and warm. Reaching for her hood, Aden notices her plum skin. Golden strands flow wildly as the hood falls back. Her full round face adorned with intricate black tattoos drew out her beautiful red eyes. "Lillian," Aden said! His face beamed with joy. Lillian helped raise Aden with Ava. While Ava was a master of magic, Lillian was a master of weapon combat. Aden was able to excel quickly in his weapon masteries under Lillian. However, spells were always more difficult, but Ava never gave up on him. "You seem different," Lillian asked? "I can feel the magic now," Aden said. "So she was right." "I don't know…."

  Lillian threw her robes at Aden before he could finish speaking. Instantly lunging toward him, her sword drawn. She watched robes disintegrating before her, revealing Aden. Aden had returned but not the young boy she had raised; his presence made her hesitate ever so slightly. She stopped dead, noticing Aden had moved hardly anything, but it put him in the perfect defensive position. "Impressive!" Aden smirked, "Thank you, master." "COME show me how much you've grown," she shouted. Dust swirled around her. She vanished; in less than a blink, she closed the 20-meter distance between them. Aden effortlessly avoids each attack. His sword, still sheathed, dangling at his side. His hands remained at his sides. Lillian jumped, sliding back with both legs and her right hand to slow her. She let out an ear-deafening war cry. This time her first step was even faster, forcing Aden to draw his sword. Aden needed to start attacking; she was pressing him, trying to take advantage. The onlookers struggled against the gale-force winds generated by each swing.

  "ENOUGH!" The voice reverberated throughout Greymoor. Aden and Lillian sheathed their swords hastily. They embraced each other tenderly. "We'd better go, son," Lillian said. "Okay, mom."

  They made their way to the top of the Greymoor spire to meet with the Greymoor Council. The spire reached high into the heavens so the council could watch over the pillars. Aden and Lillian reminisced during the long climb. Atop the staircase stood two monstrous ash wood doors. Intricate carvings covered the doors, depicting the world's history. Two stout sentinels draped in loosely fitted cloaks greeted the pair. They turn to face the door. The door groaned as it cracked open. The two sentinels strained their whole bodies against the doors. Aden moved to help, and with a gentle nudge, both doors fling open. The two guards gaze at Aden's immense power. Never has any single person opened these doors.

  Through the doors spanning the length of the room, a horseshoe table. The ten seats each filled by the. Greymoor Council. Ava explained to the impressionable young Aden that each council member was the most influential person from the ten provinces. Yet years of sitting around had made them ineffective. They should have been able to stop the pillars from falling but abstained. Aden didn't understand why the council hadn't protected the providences. He and Ava were the only ones trying to help. Not at the council's request but their indifference. He fully realizes the world's scope through his mother's teachings. The delegation would have to answer his questions.

  "YOU DARE DISRESPECT THE SANCTITY OF THIS COUNCIL!" One of the faceless, shapeless figures shouted from the apex of the table. The Shapeless figure rose tall from their chair, their bones snapping into place. "YOU WILL NOT…" "No, you will listen to me," Aden shouts! Hushed whispers fill the room. "SILENCE!" The head of the table yelled, quitting the other leaders. "YOU HAVE DISRESPECTED US FOR THE LAST TIME. NOW YOU SHALL SUFFER!" The others around the table shot up from their chairs, jumping, some gathering mana, others drawing their weapons, pouncing on Aden.

  Aden barely moved, instinctually dodging each attack. The first wave retreated as a volley of magic missiles exploded where Aden stood. They had nil effect on him. He gathered magic all around him, pulling in the masters. The vortex exploded, hurtling the shapeless master back. One was unaffected by Aden's blast, the one standing at the apex of the table. "So it seems you've learned a new trick," they scoffed. He pulled back its hood showing his face, his pale sagging skin, his eyes an infinite void of darkness. His bald head scarred from years of battle, the only hair remaining, thin, scraggly white hairs dangling from his upper lip. "YOU WILL KNOW POWER," he said. Aden braced himself, not saying a word. His scrawny arm reached up, tearing away the shapeless brown robe, revealing his emaciated figure. Aden could feel the mana drawn into the old man standing before him. Slowly the gathering mana refueled his withered bones. The master's body, soaked in the magic, began filling out. His muscles bulge out the old bald head filled with thick light brown hair. His gaunt face finds its youth. A thick beard grows in, replacing the white stubble. Aden draws his blade, reading for the battle.

  Aden's eyes darted back and forth, watching for the other masters. Horrified, Aden watched the shapeless forms wither away as their life force drained from their bodies. "NOW YOU UNDERSTAND YOU CAN NOT CHALLENGE ME," he said. His entire presence filled the room. His words pressed heavily against Aden's body. "So this is the power you sold us out for," Aden said. Ava's suspicions years ago were correct; the Demon's influence had corrupted the council. Aden focused inwardly, gaining strength. Aden lowered his hands, his sword still clutched. "You STILL DEFY ME…" His words sharply cut off. Aden was gone; no, not gone. The master's head slowly swiveled around. Blood spewed from his left shoulder. His arm made an echoing thud as it hit the floor. The master let out a shrill scream.

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  Summoning all of his newfound power, Aden bursts forward, sword raised, slashing downwards, dismembering the old master's arm. Aden stumbles before regaining his balance. He watched the black eyes widening in horror. Aden gathers himself, readying the next attack. This time he wouldn't miss. Aden launched two more passes, the first taking the master's right arm at the elbow, the second taking the left leg just below the hip. Aden, still struggling to chain his strikes together in one motion.

  The master's eyes strived to keep up with Aden's movements, but even with all the mana absorbed, he couldn't match Aden's speed. He tumbled down as Aden took his leg. The strikes came so fast his brain couldn't comprehend what happened. His body writhed in pain just moments later. "This wasn't possible," he thought, "he was supposed to be invincible…."

  A mysterious presence filled the room. Aden hadn't noticed the chill in the room. With each breath, small clouds of smoke formed. Without warning, a broad skeletal hand rose from outside, crashing through the window, wrapping the old master in its grip. The hand squeezed the man, his physique returning to its ancient form. The hand dropped the corpse, having sucked it dry. It retreated down the tower. The earth quaked Aden, and the others bumbled their way to the window. An enormous cathedral sprouted from deep below the surface, decimating the land around it. Aden gripped his chest, his heart trembling, and he lapsed to his knees. Fear ripped through his whole body. The rumbling receded, and loud blood-curdling screams filled the room. Aden staggered to his feet, looking out from the tower. Everywhere he looked, nightmarish creatures sprang from the ground. Their blood thirst lofted throughout the sky. Lillian joined Aden, wrapping her arms around his chest. Tears dripped onto her hands. There were no words to say; she pulled him closer.

  Aden's cold body gradually warmed through Lillian's love. He felt power boiling up from within, restoring his resolve. "Thank you," Aden said. "Let's go, son," Lillian said. She wiped the tears from her child's face. With steeled hearts, they marched on the cathedral. The two guarding the council's chambers join Aden and Lillian. The four slew as many demons and dark entities on their journey. Endless hordes of abominations flowed from the decimated lands surrounding the cathedral.

  The four were closing in on the cathedral. It struck an imposing figure rising from the horizon—the air around the temple with hatred and terror. No commoner could step foot on the land without being driven to madness. Aden considered himself lucky his party members were no common folk. More powerful foes stalked the cathedral's grounds. Still, the four made short work of the foul demons. Now they stood at the precipice of the cathedral's steps. The large staircase stretched high into the sky. The accent wore on the two guards twice; they needed to catch their breaths. Aden and Lillian didn't wait; they continued undaunted. After two hours of climbing, Aden and Lillian reached the final steps.

  The landing was massive and seemed to reach beyond their vision in two directions. However, directly ahead stood two steel doors towering far above the pair. They marveled at the doors for a moment. The doors hissed and groaned as they opened slightly, inviting them in. A blast of pure evil accosted them. The other two barely stepped beyond the last step as their bodies burst into flames. They didn't even have a chance to scream before turning to ash. Aden and Lillian charged through the doors, not knowing what awaited them inside.

  Now through the threshold Aden and Lillian both have to shield their eyes from the brilliant white light. As the light recedes, Lillian and Aden slowly lower their arms. Standing before them was a humongous pure white being. Its feet hooved, it's sculpted, chest-human. Its left arm is a dragon's head; its right is a lion's head; its head resembles an elk's with twisted antlers.

  "So you are here to challenge me," the entity said. Its voice is a mixture of male and female, human and beast. As if all creation was speaking at once through this single being. "Please come in; let us speak to one another, " it said. Its words reverberate through Aden and Lillian's bodies. Lillian notices Aden's hands trembling. "Aden, we got this," she said. Her reassuring tone calmed Aden. He looked at her, nodding. Aden summed a gust of wind, throwing Lillian back through the opening and sealing the door with stone pillars he pulled from the ground.

  "I see you don't wish to speak then," "then let our bodies express our ideals," it said. It vanished from atop its throne, and Aden's eyes darted frantically. Almost too slow to react, Aden lifted his sword blocking the attack from the dragon's head. Its jaws chomped shut around his blade, locking it in place. The force of the attack drove Aden back. The being too large to follow with another quick attack. Aden let loose his sword, firing four rapid-fire blasts at its head. They had no effect. The dragon's head unclenched the sword. Aden charges forward. The dragon's mouth opened wide. A ball of burning blue energy swirled in its throat. Aden wrenches his sword from the air. Aden focused on the air around him, gathering it around the sword's blade. The blue flame rocketed out of the mouth. Aden brought his blade down, slicing through the inferno.

  Aden lunged forward again, gathering the air around his blade. In a swift left-to-right swing, he hurled the wind slash at the deity. It blocked the wave of air, summing a mountain of rock. "I am impressed, human," it said. "You are quite impressive yourself." "I HAVE NOT BEEN THIS ENTERTAINED IN AGES," it said! Its thunderous voice echoed throughout the cathedral. "Now I shall fight you," it said as its body shrank to match Aden's size. Aden's body shivered; somehow, the being's power doubled. "I will meet your challenge," Aden said, his words more for himself than his foe. Well, let us begin," it said. It was on top of Aden instantaneously. Aden blocked the first attack from its left arm and could barely avoid the follow-up kick delivered to the ribs. Now in its more diminutive form, it moved at blistering speeds. Aden struggles to keep up with the flurry of attacks. His body reacted on instinct, narrowly avoiding any fatal blows.

  Aden hadn't been able to find any openings. However, the being's attacks were getting slower. No, he's not getting slower; I'm getting faster. Aden thought to himself. As the battle raged on, Aden exuded more power. Finally, Aden went on the offensive. The two traded blows, neither showing signs of slowing. The being leaped back, creating space, opening a small break in the fighting. Aden winced, slamming his sword into the floor of the cathedral. He took stock of his wounds: two broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and deep gashes all over his body. Breathing heavily, he watched his adversary. It, too, had taken damage. Pockets of blood stained its pure white body. Aden observed its heavy breathing. Aden realizes he can win this fight.

  "HAHAHAHA, I FEEL ALIVE!" "Not for long," Aden said. Aden consumed all of the mana he could. His next strike would end the fight it had to. The influx of mana surged through Aden's body. He found himself smiling. How odd am I enjoying this? He asked himself. "I see." The deity said, smiling back. "Well, how about we end this," it said. Its expression shifted. "Playtime is over," it said! Its menacing scowl would have rendered anyone else frozen, but Aden fought through the horror clawing its way into his heart.

  The two lurched forward. Aden and the demon's attacks, now moving faster than light. Mist clouds of blood and sweat saturated the air in the Cathedral. Both sustain mortal injuries but neither yield. Aden formulated his plan. There was only one option. It's now or never. Aden thought to himself. The being thrust its lion head right arm; Aden hesitated. Its teeth sank deep, almost ripping Aden's right arm off. "Looks like I…" the demon tried to say. Aden's sword gripped tightly in his right; he cleaved off the deity's head before it could finish the thought.

  The head made a loud thump as it hit the floor. Its body slides down Adens before slumping onto the ground joining the severed head. Aden staggers before falling to his knees. Blood poured from the gaping wound on his shoulder. Too weak to heal himself, he collapses next to his fallen foe.

  Lillian could only listen as the battle raged on from within the cathedral. She tried every trick she could, but the doors wouldn't budge. Why had Aden thrown me out? She wondered. The battle waged for what felt like hours. Her mind desperately tried to hear or feel any indication of how the fight was going. "Lillian, relax." a familiar voice calls out. "Ava!" Lillian surprised herself. Lillian closed her eyes and withdrew inwards. In her mind, she sensed Ava's presence. "Ava, how is this happening," she asked? "I've always been with you, both of you," Ava said. "Of course, haha… "so how do I get in there," Lillian asked? " Patience, he will need you in the end," Ava said, drifting out of focus. Lillian hated waiting, but if she must wait, she would.

  The ground roared and shook violently. Lillian leaped to her feet. The cathedral was crumbling. Focusing her strength, she unleashed a series of rapid slashes ripping open the gate. Finally, she got through. A foul odor accosted her senses upon entering the cathedral. Her heart sank deep into her chest. A splattering of blood adorned the walls. Her stomach wrenched; fighting the urge to heave, she searched for Aden. Large clusters of mortar rained down from the cathedral's ceiling. Each clump cascaded thick clouds of dust.

  "ADEN… ADEN…" she called out, but the quacking ground and falling debris drowned her out. Looking toward the altar, a pale white figure. Moving quickly with her sword drawn, the Demon Lord was lying there. The demon's neck still oozed warm blood. Astonished to see the Demon Lords' corpses? Where was Aden? She asked herself. The muffled sound of rocks shifting from her left side, rushing over, flinging rocks from the small pile, hoping to find Aden. "ADEN," she said! "(Cough)… (cough)… Lillian," Aden said. She inspected his body while still throwing rocks from the pile. Tears welled up in her eyes. She needed to move quickly; this wasn't the time to cry, she thought. Choking back her tears, she freed Aden from the rocks. His body was full of deep cuts that bled profusely. She looked back at the demon's body; it was melting. She turned back to Aden, noticing his right arm. Tiny white hairs were growing out of a bite wound. Aden writhed on the floor, the hairs growing thicker, trying to consume his whole arm. His arm began resembling the demon's white fur-covered body.

  "I'm sorry." She said, chopping her blade down and severing his arm. The fuzz wilted, and Aden appeared to look more comfortable. She unfastened her belt and, using her sword's sheath, made a temporary tourniquet. She hoisted Aden over her shoulders and ran from the crumbling building. Depending, the staircase, and out through the courtyard, narrowly avoiding the cavity that opened, swallowing the cathedral. All of the demons scurrying back to the pits that spawned them. As quickly as the evil spread throughout the land, it receded even quicker.

  Lillian laid Aden down on his back. Tears trickling down, she started praying over Aden. "You can't (cough)..." "This is my gift to you," she said. She funneled her life energy into Aden; his wounds stopped bleeding and started closing. She couldn't fix his arm, but at least he could live. "I have lived 300 years; now I can once again be with Ava," she said. "This will be the last time I see you, mom." "No, I will always be with you; we both will." She said, holding his hand over his heart.

  Aden watched the tears falling from Lillian's face. "I love you, mom." She smiled at him, tears still flowing off her cheeks. "I love you too, son." Her last words as she turned to ash floating away with the wind. Aden's hand still clutched over his chest. Tears welled up in his eyes, not tears of sorrow but tears of joy. He knew they were proud of him, and he was happy to have them in his life. Sunlight perforated the black clouds, Aden the rays warmed the world, bringing renewed hope for a peaceful life.