Chapter 31: The End

  Koga reached out with his morgath.

  “Can you hear me?”

  The technique was straining him. It took such focus that his other senses suffered, leaving him as blind and deaf as he had been all those years ago in the witch’s castle. A strange feeling of vulnerability washed over him. It was dangerous, he realized, to leave himself this way. He used his fear to heighten his effort to communicate.

  He could feel J?gamangr resisting, trying to shake Koga off his head. The beast’s efforts were proven vain. Emboldened, Koga tried again. This time, he reached deep within the beast’s consciousness. A part of its brain was electrically under-facilitated. Some parts were inactive entirely. Perhaps these were signs his theory was correct.

  “Can you hear me?”

  Still, nothing. The beast, despite its rage, was still somehow open to Koga’s plight. Being stuck in a trance, the beast warred with itself to break it. It felt as though Koga was not alone in this battle. Who, or what, could be aiding him in this fight? Koga could feel, deep down, that there was a presence beyond the beast’s consciousness. There had to be. One that lay dormant and asleep, yearning to be separated from its more wrathful half.

  “Wake up, sleeper…” Koga called out through his morgath. “You must awaken!”

  The beast would have none of it. Resisting him again, it grew in its wrath, and its purpose was bolstered. Quelling any attempts at communication, J?gamangr roared in protest, and retreated towards the portal.

  It was clear to him that Gishni’s spell was multifaceted when it came to its defense capabilities. Like trying to hack into a mainframe, each path one might tread to overcome it either took a detour, or hit an iron wall. Still, for the beast to retreat was, as far as Koga knew, unprecedented.

  Determining he was onto something, Koga rode on the beast’s snout as it retreated. The hasty retreat increased the wind’s whip. Remembering his training, he grounded himself. Physically stopping the beast was highly improbable through conventional means, but as Lima was often fond of saying, “There is more than one way to skin a grizzletaur.”

  “No!” Koga reached out, realizing how close the beast was to escape. Quickly, he put his hand upon the beast once more, and tried to sense where the dormant presence was. If he could find whoever was there, then this could all be over.

  The beast began to writhe and shake, trying to throw him off. Such violent resistance, Koga concluded, meant he was on the right path. Gritting his teeth, he increased his focus.

  “I can sense you…” Koga thought… “almost… there…”

  The presence was humanoid. Intelligent, but vegetative. It was as though he was in a magic induced coma.

  Koga hoped this would work. It had to. When Gishni was saying the same word over and over again during her chant in the tomb, it became clear to him that magic users often had a bypass to their own spells, much like a password to a H.I.C. If she was trying to fully awaken herself from a subconscious state with such a word, such a thing could be done for the man trapped in the beast’s body. Like her, the man was asleep, but not fully so.

  Such conclusions, although logical, were based on assumption. Was he willing to risk the fate of his homeworld on such a claim? Doubt crept into his mind. His great enemy loomed above him. Like a visitor pounding on his front door, it demanded entry, but Koga denied it. Doubt and guilt would not be given place today. Only resolve, and the strength of character it would take to do what must be done. One way or another, he would make history today.

  There was a part of the man somehow controlling the beast. That much, Koga began to determine. It was as though his evil side was in charge, manifesting itself in physical form as this dreaded creature. His good side was dormant, helpless to change its fate. Koga hoped his conclusion was correct, and that he might do more than just kill the beast. Rather, he hoped it would transform him back into a man. Even if he could destroy the beast, its corpse alone could wipe out the entire planet.

  The beast was changing. Both in form, and in its plans. J?gamangr grew to his original size, then began to charge towards Inkh, opening its jaws wide. Seeing it could not defend itself adequately, it would attack in a way Koga could not help but focus on. Riding on his original gamble, Koga kept focused on his plan.

  In the milliseconds that existed before the planet’s demise, Koga found the neurological link he needed. In the old Isjud tongue, a man, formerly known as Etzel, was telling him what he needed to know. Koga, now knowing the magic word, used his morgath to think the word.

  “Isth’ukar.”

  It worked.

  Retreating from the planet back into the void on the other side of the portal, J?gamangr and Etzel fought for control. It was out of Koga’s hands now. Falling off the beast, be descended back down towards the planet as their inner conflict continued.

  Now awakened, Koga could sense Etzel fighting for control. Fighting his own inner demons which had manifested themselves as this monster. Koga understood the conflict all too well. The battle between fear and hope. The struggle between selfishness and conscience. The fight between succumbing to sin, or resolving to defeat it.

  Etzel, despite the odds stacked against him, began to quell the beast. It writhed and fought the transition, but there was no chance of winning for it now. Its weakness was exposed, and now being exploited from an enemy who knew it unlike any other.

  A great transformation then occurred, as the beast began to retreat inside him. Soon, the only thing that remained was the old man, Etzel, falling from the sky. Koga flew up to catch him.

  “You did it, kid!” Corvid commented over Koga’s H.I.C.

  The beast was gone, and all the world could see it. He could not help but wonder what those below on the planet must have thought. How terrifying the sight of this creature must have been for them.

  Shortly after Koga and Etzel descended, the portal disappeared, no doubt due to Corvid’s efforts. Koga was glad the Red Raven’s mission was a success. Finally, a solid victory.

  “You did it!” Luminous replied, jumping for joy as she ran over to where Koga had landed.

  In the distance, Koga could sense both Paradignians and Kenzanites cheering in triumph, thankful that they had been saved from the great menace. Koga wondered if this foe had somehow unified the two warring armies. He could only hope so.

  As Koga landed on the earth with Etzel in his arms, he could feel the old man’s life begin to wane. Fighting the beast within clearly had taken all he had. Soon, his life would end.

  Koga leaned the old man’s head against him, laying him on the soft earth below. It appeared Etzel, in his final moments, was attempting to say something. Reaching up, he whispered his last words to Koga.

  Koga could understand Etzel’s words, but they made little sense to him. Before the old man could finish what he was trying to say, he suddenly passed. Koga sensed that his passing was not natural. Instinctively, he reached out to grab something sticking out of Etzel’s neck.

  “A death dart.”

  Laying his body down, he looked around him for the assassin. Strangely, he could not sense him. It was as though the dart had appeared out of nowhere, and into Etzel’s neck. Koga was always able to sense those that were near. Perhaps a sniper had somehow landed a shot..

  Koga gently shut Etzel’s eyes as he thought about what the old man had said. Then he looked to Luminous, whom had appeared behind him.

  “Is he dead?”

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  “Yes.”

  What… did he say?” Luminous asked.

  Then, he felt him. Reaching out, Koga grabbed the hand that was extended out to put a dart inside of him. A floating hand, which was visible, was attached to a body that was both invisible and, since Koga could not sense the rest of him, ethereal. Luminous saw it, and stepped back in surprise.

  Electrifying the hand he was grabbing, the rest of the assassin’s form became visible and material. It was a Quinlan, an aquatic alien with tentacles on his face. The Quinlan, which all stood above roughly two meters, fell to his knees.

  “Gloobla Trio-shaw!” the Quinlan yelled. Then, he keeled over dead, as foam came frothing from his tentacles.

  “Koga, what is going on?!” Luminous asked, stunned.

  “An assassin. He killed this man before he could finish what he was trying to say. He would have killed us given the chance,” Koga speculated. “He must have poisoned himself rather than talk.”

  “Is he a Triumvirate assassin?”

  “No doubt.”

  “What did he say? Before dying, I mean.”

  “Long live the Triumvirate.”

  “No, I mean this old man.”

  Koga hesitated in responding, still thinking on the old man’s words. Being respectful, Luminous waited for her answer. He was unsure what the warning meant.

  “Koga? What did he say?”

  Until he understood the old man’s meaning, Koga would not trouble Luminous or anyone else with this information. For all he knew, it could have been the ramblings of a delusional old man. Until he knew more, he would hope he was right.

  “Come on. Let’s go.”

  *

  As Tulius’ life appeared to end, the group looked at the man with an X on his helmet in trepidation. They wondered if they were next. He looked back at them.

  “This is just the beginning,” he said, raising his hand to grab hold of them, just as he had The Horizon. Everyone began to be lifted off the floor. Before the man could fully grab hold, Red shot the holo-transmitter projecting his image. The transmission ended, just as they began to feel his iron grip upon them. They all gasped in relief. They were safe for now.

  Lima walked over to Tulius’ body.

  “I was hoping to get a little payback,” Magnus admitted.

  “Triumvirate often kill their own kind. Looks like we were beat to the punch.”

  “Not exactly,” Lima countered.

  “What do you mean?” Magnus asked, confused.

  “This man is still alive.”

  *

  The holo-transmission ended abruptly. Tulius had failed, and the grand plan had faltered. At least, for now.

  Thanator, hidden away in his dark fortress, walked away from his H.I.C. A Vishi guard approached him, kneeling in obeisance. The guards dare not speak until spoken to, even though he was summoned.

  “Summon my Chief Acolyte. I would have an audience with him.”

  “Yes, my Overlord,” the guard replied, rushing off to do his Master’s bidding.

  Thanator looked out at the volcanic mountains all about him. The ash filled sky clouded anything that could be seen on the horizon. He wondered what other threats lay clouded beyond his vision. What hidden threats, like Koga Kane, had been growing in the darkness waiting to strike.

  It did not matter. Whoever they were, or wherever they were, he would stomp them out. And whatever remained in hiding, he would pull out from stem to root. One by one, they would fall by his hand. Then, finally, his work would be done.

  *

  The conflict, for now, was over. The battle was won. Congregated at the palace, the two Kings made ready to address their troops, and the galaxy as a whole. Everyone present, including those known for their more sour temperament, seemed joyful.

  “Are you ready for this?” Magnus asked, looking over to him in his armor.

  Koga knew what this moment would mean. A moment he had been nervous, dreadful of, and expectant of all at the same time. It was the moment that Gar had been pushing for all these years. The moment Ozzeray had let him go for. The moment Captain Spencer and Lima had encouraged. A moment he had never truly been ready for. That was, until now.

  “I am,” he replied.

  Luminous patted him on the back, as did his other friends as he walked by. Pickett, Checotah, Maria and the girls, and everyone else he could now call friends lined the way.

  Going down the ornately decorated hallway, Koga sensed Red standing down the corridor with her droid. Approaching her, he smiled at her. He could sense her smiling back at him.

  “Good to see you again, Red.”

  “Likewise, your kingliness,” she teased.

  “How does it feel? Choosing a side?” he asked.

  “Good,” she replied, raising her brow slightly. “Feels good to be a good-guy again.”

  “You sure there is such a thing as a good-guy? What happened to your Postmodern approach?” Koga asked, half joking.

  “I’m waiting for you to give me a reason to think that way again. Keep proving me wrong, Koga Kane.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  Before Koga continued on, a figure approached from in front of him. Gar stepped in front of Koga. Apprehension built in his heart at the sight of his old guardian.

  “You look just like your father when I first met him. It’s a shame he’s not here to witness this,” Gar lamented.

  “I agree,” Koga replied, thinking it strange to, for once, have a conversation with Gar start out civilly.

  “You’re turning out more like him than you know,” Gar continued.

  “Yes… and no. He’s Koga Kane, a man all on his own,” Lima said proudly, stepping up behind Koga, placing a hand on his shoulder.

  “Thanks, Gar,” Koga responded. Gar awkwardly nodded, and stepped to the side.

  Koga and Magnus, along with their friends, walked forward onto a balcony many stories high. At the highest platform of the palace, the entourage proudly waved down at the crowds standing about below. Standing before both victorious armies, they made ready to address the two peoples. Their ceremony was being broadcast on the interweb, despite certain enemy forces’ best efforts to censor it. It was a moment of triumph and peace in an otherwise depressing, gloomy narrative of war.

  Finally, the Triumvirate’s interference would be exposed before not just Paradign and Kenza, but the galaxy as a whole. Finally, both rival nations were at peace with one another, after a war both sides were, in Koga’s estimation, destined to lose.

  “Today is a day of victory for all of us!” Magnus proclaimed, raising his sword as the armies and peoples of the capital cheered.

  “Not just in defeating the Triumvirate, an enemy that has made itself clear to us today, but also in brokering a peace between our two great nations. A peace which King Kane long ago had established, but that Dagon broke.”

  Koga could not help but find himself impressed with Magnus’ oratory skills. Magnus stepped over to Koga’s side. Placing his hand on Koga’s shoulder, he looked to the crowd.

  “I do not broker this new peace as a King alone, but as a King united with another. Behold, Kenza’s true king!”

  Magnus turned to Koga, as Koga stood before the crowds. He could feel the weight of their gaze. Fear, anxiety, and excitement gripped him all at once as the moment he had anticipating his whole life had finally come to pass. The moment where he showed the world that the name of Kane was not yet gone or forgotten.

  Koga lifted the helmet off his head.

  “Look! Koga Kane! The lost prince of Kenza, now returned!”

  Gasps and cheers erupted from among the crowd as they looked upon him. Koga would later see that the story of the Kane assassinations twelve years ago that shocked the world would receive a rousing new update, as reporters and news stations around the universe began to cover the development. Finally, Koga could stand in the light of day.

  Koga did not want the throne, but for his lost family, his lost loved ones, and all who sacrificed on his behalf, he would see this through to the end. The Triumvirate had to be stopped, and if proclaiming himself to the universe would aid that cause, then that was what he would do. He felt humbled he could address the nation. Not as the Blight, or some other alias, but as himself. As Koga Kane.

  This conflict with the Triumvirate was far from over. Fear still gripped him when it came to their power, yet some had dared to call him brave. Koga knew better. In reality, he knew that avoiding his destiny was a far greater thing to fear. He could see that now. All his years of hiding had only delayed the inevitable.

  Koga never wanted to put his friends in danger, but he could not stop them from making their own decisions, and they had made their choice. They stood by his side all on their own volition. For their loyalty, he resolved to never let them down. This was the new burden he swore to bear.

  As the world looked upon him, he thought he sensed a Tiggerash in the crowd below. Increasing his sensory perception, he diligently searched for one. To his dismay, he could not find one. Perhaps it was Ozzeray, watching him from afar. If he was, Koga hoped he had made him proud...

  *

  Corvid watched from a distance as the ceremony and jubilation unfolded. Ironically, one of his favorite songs began to play over his headphones as he watched: “Kingdom Come” cover by Sabaton. He thought it fitting, in a way.

  Two kings, seemingly rising to right all the world’s wrongs, now would fight the Triumvirate. Not from the shadows, but out in the open. It was a dangerous game. One he hoped they would win. However, he did not believe they could. At the very most, they might eliminate most of the Triumvirate.

  “But not all of them,” Corvid thought as he walked away down a crowded city street. “And that’s where I come in.”

  The Triumvirate had by now, he imagined, had spread its tentacles throughout the known universe. Their promise of equity was promising to many, and unlike others before who had promised the same, they were disciplined. Organized. A force to be reckoned with. He would need more than just good luck and incredible power to win this fight. He would need a strategy for burning them down to the root.

  Corvid always had a plan. Even, he mused, if he himself did not fully know it yet. Meeting a great force with another great force would not do the trick, but Kane and Stryker’s efforts would serve as an adequate distraction. He would play in their forgotten shadows. Learn the Triumvirate’s weaknesses. Before the dawn’s approach, he would slip his knife between the clasps of their armor, and watch as the life leaves his enemies’ eyes.

  But first, he must forge the knife.

  Teleporting away to a galaxy and a world far from Inkh, he set out to find the first piece in the puzzle to aid him on his quest. On this planet commonly called by many names, he sought to find the one man whose shot was said to never miss. The one simply called, “the American.”

  Epilogue

  He approached Thanator, and kneeled to the ground in obeisance. He dare not speak until spoken to. Thanator had taught him that long ago.

  Rage, the name given to him by his master, waited in quiet contemplation. His white flowing hair parted over his face and blood red eyes. He wore dark, Moorish armor that covered him from head to foot. He rarely took it off. Secrecy and deception was his life.

  “I have a mission for you.”

  “I live to serve, my master,” Rage responded, his voice changed by the mask that augmented it.

  “You have undoubtedly seen the interweb reports that Koga Kane lives.”

  “Yes, my Overlord.”

  “He, Magnus Stryker, and all his allies must be found and eliminated.”

  “I live to serve.”

  “Assemble four others from the Cohort to aid you. Root them out. Destroy them at all costs. Do not hesitate. Show no restraint.”

  Rage bowed lower, then rose to his feet, and walked away.

  “I will not fail you, my master,” he affirmed.

  “One more thing… You should know that Kane has discovered his abilities. His power in the machor is strong. Another in his entourage also has the power. Do not underestimate them.”

  Rage nodded in acknowledgement.

  “I look forward to the challenge.”