WTF Comics

Zeiram

Shoken’s Adventures

Chapter 21

“In the Darkness.”

In all the time that Ryo had spent exploring Norrath, in all the encounters he had faced while separate for Shoken he had always felt as if something had been lacking. That is how he felt once the black flames consumed his being. He silently cursed in his thoughts as the war gods plane around him faded from view, and even more so when he heard the fighting going on as at last a new silence overtook him. It was not something unfamiliar to him, and he had seen this place once before. Ryo knew what awaited him and he was ready, or so he thought.

“I see I’ve been paid another visit so soon.” A rather elderly man appeared before Ryo in the darkness.

“So it does, tell me why am I here?” Ryo questioned the old man, the once harsh tone now long since gone from his voice.

“It is strange that you yourself ask that. I suppose you are here because you refuse to die.” As the old man spoke he sat down, the darkness molding into a chair beneath him.

Ryo gazed around into the void he now resided in, and he also took a seat before the man. This place was far beyond the scope of what he had witnessed on Norrath or in Rallos Zek’s home realm. There was no malice here, no ill enchantments to harm him. Nothing was here to hinder him from any action he took, yet he lacked the initiate to do anything but speak. Yes, he wanted to speak rather than fight now which for him was very odd indeed.

“What is it that I am missing? Why is it that I…” Ryo thought for a second trying to find the words.

“You want to know what it is you lack that keeps you from being as strong as Shoken.” At this the old man nodded.

“Why is it that he can keep going while I always fall short? What is it that I can’t grasp?” This was what Ryo wanted to know as desperation crept into his voice.

“You have everything you need to be as strong as he is, but you do not see it. You’re blinded by your want to be stronger. The kind of strength you desire can not be gained from greed at all; instead it is gained by a “need” like the very same thing that Shoken used when he and not you defeated Mayong Mistmoore.” Finally the old man turned to look into a small orb of light that burst into being beside him.

“How could you possibly know such things?” Ryo’s eyes turned to the sphere, realizing that this as the same as when he had chosen to go back and face Xernoss near Qeynos.

“I see a great many things in this place, but your very existence intrigues me. You and Shoken endured an event that even the beings you call gods could not have survived. And here you are as proof of that survival. Now I can’t tell you what it is that will trigger the ‘need’ in order for you to match Shoken, that is because I can only see for certain what is and has happened.” These words had an eerie tone, to them as if something grave where hidden beneath.

“I wouldn’t expect you to see the future. Nobody can see the future.”

“I can see the future perfectly, but what I can’t see is your future, nor Shoken's. That is another reason I’m interested in you. Now rest for awhile and watch the events unfolding.” The old man smiled an ever so curious smile. For him this was like reading a long book, one in which there was no way for him to skip to the end.

***

The thick metal band surrounding Shoken’s head had cracked under the force from his body smashing into the stone floor. In that instant everything had went dark for what seemed like an eternity. As he came to he saw the chaos that had ensued in such a short time. Such things did not register within his mind, everything was blank except for the actions that Rallos Zek was taking. The war god was making his way towards the last standing invader of the realm. One that Rallos Zek himself was dead set on destroying with his divine hands. Everything slowed down as his eyes focused on the drawn back fist, then on the woman’s face as she braced for oncoming oblivion. Shoken’s body reacted while he mind could not as in that very instance he moved with reflexes that surpassed what the War god had imbued him with.

Shoken’s body took the full force of the hit, his body slumping over as his lungs struggled to take in air. What he had done was the very actions expected of a heretic. In his mind he desperately tried to grasp at why his body had chosen to stand up against his master when his mind clearly knew not to. There was little else he could do to understand all that was happening, that is until he felt trembling hands touch his back. This was something familiar to him even though he was certain he had never met these people before. They were his master’s enemy, but they didn’t feel like they were his enemy.

“This is how you repay me for giving you what you wanted?! Then you will share the same fate as them!” Rallos Zek bellowed as his fist drew back.

The war god readied his fist again as Shoken fell to his knees. Still his body kept telling him things that his mind said were wrong. It told him to stand again, it told him to defend the woman behind him. Defend the one that was now kneeling behind him trying to push him out of harms way. Shoken listened to his body, standing once more as the fist of the war god came crashing down. This time the fist connected with his head, the thick metal band cracked even more and warped. The metal barbs keeping it in place pulled from his skin and blood flowed down his face from the fresh wounds. Blurred and forgotten images filled his mind as his eyes lost focus of the world around him, some of the people here he knew from some place that much had cleared for him.

Little was known to the war god of the shadow lurking behind him. That devious of all shadows that crept with grace and skill untold by looks, light footsteps even those of her kind could not hear. She was intent on saving those around her, either by killing this monster before her or giving them the time to flee. Rita cared little about her own self now that Ryo was gone; he was all she had known since meeting him in the lesser faydark. Ryo had shown her something that she realized was compassion even from a heart that was so hardened. She had followed him in hopes of understanding him more, hoping to discover why he wished to be alone.

“Die murderer!” Rita cried out as she moved through the air and her daggers once again sank into either side of Rallos Zek’s thick neck.

The war god howled in pain as his arms flailed backwards trying to pull Rita off his back. She was far too small, and all he was doing was grabbing at air as he stumbled back and forth. The daggers twisted in her hands as he held on to Rallos Zek, this time she would not let go no matter the consequences. It was her decision now that since Ryo was gone she would continue to follow after him into oblivion.

***

“I must admit they are persistent. It’s surprising to see the effect that both your present and that of Shoken’s can have on people. They won’t survive this battle if things continue like this. Ironic isn’t it Ryo? That try as they might they can not win.” The aged man stood up and turned towards Ryo with a smile.

“Do you find this funny? Do you find their pain and suffering amusing?!” Ryo stood up, his hands clenched into fists.

“I do have my jovial tendencies when it comes to irony. Your welcome to make me see differently of course, but I doubt you can summon up the strength required to do so.” The old mans smile remained as it was followed by a chuckle.

Ryo had enough as he lashed out with a fist, his aim dead set on the old man’s face. The aged one had other ideas in this matter as his very being seemed to split into two images. These new aged ones quickly flowed through the air and came back together behind Ryo. In all his traveling and even in the fighting against Xernoss this was something new. There was no trick to this; Ryo’s eyes would have seen it. That was the true nature of the old man, he was actually two people having the ability to act and think as one. In this Ryo recognized how the two before him knew so much about himself and Shoken, but they were different. They could split and become one at will, without thought and without any physical strain.

“As you have already seen, I am two in the form of one. Our body resonates with the same pulse of life as the other, and that is our same fate as yourself and Shoken.”

“That still doesn’t give you the right to laugh at their fight for life.” Ryo growled as he readied his fists.

“Oh dear, it looks as though the dark elf lost her grip at last. I suspect Rallos Zek will tear her to ribbons and use her body as food for his wraith army. You know, if you want to save her all you have to do is hit me just once. That’s all it’ll take, just one strike, show us if you have the ability to resonant with your other half.” The old man motioned for Ryo to come at him again.

“Fine you want to see it, and then you’ll have it. I’ll show you I can be like Shoken if that’s what you want.” Ryo’s fist drew back as bolts of azure light flowed from the air into his clenched fist.

“Show us what you can do; show us what can save them.” A smile crept across the aged one’s face; he wasn’t the least bit afraid of Ryo now.

“Celestial Breaker” At this Ryo rushed forward white and sky blue flames erupting across his fist as he struck home across the old man’s face.

It was in that instant that everything around Ryo shifted from the void of darkness to something else. Even with this he could not see as his eyes struggled to compensate for the shining light that now burst from his arm. He traveled far beyond the old man’s face, he had touched it but for a moment, and that is when he went beyond. The only thing that stopped Ryo was his fist crashing into something solid, and even then he only came to a halt when the unseen object was sent hurling into the distance.

***

Rita screeched in terror as Rallos Zek was set to come down on her. However instead of pain she was blinded by a flash of brilliant light. As the light faded her eyes fought to adjust, first there was a simple blur for a form, then the figure of someone standing between her and the hovelled form of the war god leaning against the stone wall. Silently she cursed her light sensitive Teir`Dal eyes. It was her ears though she would be thankful for having now though.

“You’re not going to get past me again Rallos Zek. No matter if it means me dying you won’t harm her!” Ryo shouted as azure light molded around his hands, his body sliding into a stance as he readied himself to fight.

“So you’re still alive. This is what I’ve been waiting for, a mortal that can take a beating on the field of war.” Rallos Zek wiped blood from his lips as he stood up.

“Rita, go over and help Azia with Shoken. If you can get out of here…” Ryo barely had time to finish as the war god came at him.

Ryo avoided the oncoming assault, ducking down past the war god’s massive arms and countering with a palm strike into his abdomen. The armor around Rallos Zek’s stomach burned away as the light from Ryo’s hand melted it, the full force the blow landed squarely into flesh. During all this Ryo was aware of Rita moving behind him, her crouching down and helping Azia pull Shoken to his feet. When Rallos Zek’s attention switched to them Ryo made sure he would not make that mistake again as he snapped up into the air with an uppercut.

“Azia get the others and get ready to leave. You’ve done what you came here to do, now take Shoken and go.” Ryo shouted as he rushed for the war god before his feet touched the ground.

“I don’t take orders from anyone let alone you!” Azia screamed back at Ryo, she hated being told what to do.

“Don’t make me tell you again woman! Go now!” Ryo was distracted this time, and the war god made him pay for it.

A massive orcish fist slammed across Ryo’s jaw causing him to stumble backwards off of his feet. He could tell the others weren’t moving fast enough to escape. They simply didn’t understand what was happening here, he hadn’t found what it took to be like Shoken yet and he was fighting all the same to give them the chance to live. Death didn’t matter to him as long as they were alright. As long as Rita was safe it would be fine for him to die.

“I will destroy you all in due time, you can not hold out as long as I can. No matter your strength or the mana you leech from my plane, it is useless to struggle.” Rallos Zek laughed as his war axe formed in his hands

“I don’t need mana to fight, all I need… All I need is to protect her at all costs!” Ryo screamed as his feet slammed into the stone floor.

A vortex of transparent crimson flames erupted around his body, the tips of the flame burning bright white. It had happened at last, what the old man had hinted at finally came to be. He needed to protect Rita and his body responded to his will at last, the stone floor around his body burned till it was charcoal black as it cracked under the intense heat coming from his body. Ryo knew this was it for his body as he felt his muscles all tense at once exerting their full potential, and he decided it wasn’t enough as he poured even more of his being into the strength he needed.

“I’m not the only one who’s going to fall in this battle. This will be the end of your warring for this day I guarantee it!” Ryo moved forward and his body didn’t blur from his speed it only left behind a trail of flames.

The first thing the war god experienced was a flying kick that sent him upward into the air. Ryo was already heading for the next move as his feet crashed into the wall and he bounded off it, another flying kick smashing into the airborne god’s body. Again Ryo moved ahead of Rallos Zek, coming around into a vicious spinning back kick aimed right at the war god’s spine. This time Ryo setup for the finisher, racing upside down across the ceiling then slamming his feet into it to drive him down at the war god, the flames around his body all heeded his will as they condensed around his fist.

“Inferno Breaker!” Ryo slammed his fist down across Rallos Zek’s head sending him crashing into the stone floor.

The entire room shook as the war god’s body came down, the floor buckled under the force forming a crater. The ceiling too had taken its toll as it fell down upon the war god in a flaming mess. Ryo managed to land quite ungracefully rolling across the floor and crashing into Estak and Victor who both promptly howled in pain at the intense heat still coursing through his body. Sweat poured out of his flesh, his skin burning a deep brick red as it tried desperately to remove the burning in his body.

“Hurry, ice now. As much as you can summon.” Cain barked at Zolf as he had already started forming a shell of ice around Ryo.

“I can only do it so fast you know, yelling won’t help.” Zolf spat back at Cain as ice burst from his hand and started messing with the ice from Cain.

Ryo screamed as his body continued to burn, this was the punishment he would endure for going beyond his limits. He could feel only the slightest cold from Cain and Zolf’s spells. They would need more if they wanted to cool him off enough for him to live. He couldn’t even see straight anymore as the world around him meshed together for several moments and then it came back. He felt the ice now as his eyes focused; he could see the shards of ice coming from both Jingur and Sly’s clawed hands as they too fought to keep him alive now. Then before long Zebuxoruk joined in, Ryo though was now paying more attention to the burning rubble in the room.

“He won’t be getting up from that. And if it wasn’t for all of you I wouldn’t be either.” Ryo looked down at the pool of water quickly forming around him.

“You haven’t won yet mortal’s, you only proved your worth to face my true incarnation.” Rallos Zek’s voice boomed across the plane once more.

Out of the darkened room Rallos Zek came out, the real war god in all his horrific glory. There was the spiked armor, the sharp orcish tusks in his mouth, and the massive war axe slung across his back. This was the least of the problems as Ryo heard the screams and moans of the wraiths as they began appearing at the rooms exits. All had masks hung over their faces and great gargoyle like wings perched on their backs. Ryo’s body shook as he fought to stand up; he was getting ready to fight again.

“Well there is one good thing about this right Zebuxoruk.” Cain looked up at the ungod, a frightened look on his face.”

“What’s that old friend” The ungod looked down, wondering what his friend was thinking.

“We at least we made sure to bring paladins along for the ride this time.” Cain smirked as mana gathered into his hands.

“I think we should have brought along a few necromancers instead.”

“Well beggars can’t be choosers now can they?” Cain gritted his teeth as he got ready.

End Chapter 21

Zeiram

Shoken’s Adventures

Chapter 22

“The Master of Spirit.”

It was true that Ryo had been through better days. Now his body hurt, his muscles ached and burned as if he’d ran from Qeynos to Freeport without any stops. He had pushed himself beyond what even he had thought possible and in all rights he should have been dead, instead he was still alive thanks to the people around him. He was sure that wasn’t going to last long with the real Rallos Zek having shown himself.

“All that trouble to get rid of an imposter?” Ryo questioned himself out loud, wondering just what was going to happen next.

“Pathetic mortals, did you really expect the god of war himself to die so easily?” Rallos Zek smiled as he surveyed the destruction present.

“Azia, get Shoken out of here if you can, if not get that chunk of metal off his head and prepare for the worst.” Ryo slowly stood up forcing his body to do what it surely wasn’t ready for; more fighting.

“Mortals, you will not leave here alive” The war god rushed forward, axe in hand.

Ryo was two steps ahead as he rushed forward shoving his shoulder into Rallos Zek’s stomach, and forcing him into a wall. Massive orcish hands, and the pommel of the axe came crashing down into his spine, but Ryo refused to let Rallos Zek go. He wasn’t going to fail; he wasn’t going to fall again like he did when they faced Mayong Mistmoore. That time Shoken had pushed them through to survival, but now Shoken was unable to help. Ryo was determined to take up the slack now, no matter the cost.

“Cain, help Azia get that thing off Shoken’s head. Ryo can’t hold out for much longer.” Zebuxoruk bolted forward as a lance of mana formed in his hands.

Ryo fell to his knees just as the ungod’s lance came between him and the Axe of the war god. He heard the scraping of metal and saw sparks of mana spray down around him as Zebuxoruk shoved Rallos Zek back to the wall. All he could do was roll off to the side as he watched the war god and the ungod exchange weapon blows. He needed more time to recover, and he knew that Zebuxoruk was giving him as much time as he could spare.

“I see your still putting your faith in such pathetic creatures, I thought your imprisonment before would have swayed those useless notions.” The war god smiled as his axe came crashing down into Zebuxoruk’s lance.

“Those Mortals gave me the courage to escape; they showed me that my faith was true.” The ungod growled as he quickly pulled his lance away, leaving a gash across the war gods breastplate.

As the two otherworldly beings fought each other at a standstill Azia was busy trying to pull the metal band from Shoken’s head. Each time she tried his eyes dimmed and lost focus, making her think she was doing the worst thing possible. Cain himself had no better luck either; the metal was thick and hardened. It was definitely the work of Rallos Zek’s blacksmiths and metal workers. They had little time though as the Wraiths began to move towards them.

“Estak and Victor was it? I need you two to handle the wraiths as best as you can. Can you two lovely feline ladies help them with that?” Cain glanced to the paladins along with Jingur and Sly.

“We’ll do what we can, but I’m hoping this isn’t a lost cause.” Estak raised his sword and motioned for the others to turn towards the Wraiths.

“Zolf, Daxter, and Selena; Please do your best to the others.” Azia looked at them for a brief moment with a desperate look on his face before turning back to Shoken.

Zolf didn’t need to be asked twice as mana surged into his has and creeped out into the Wraiths coming for the others. Daxster in the mean time had already set about sending a hail of arrows into the oncoming wraiths; Selena had already set about created the roots to entangle their feet. Much to their surprise, and admittedly humorous nonetheless Trinaxe rolled past them like a dwarvish cannon ball.

“Lazy dwarf, get in there and fight or I’ll kick you again!” Borias screamed as mana poured from his hands surrounding the dwarf, healing him.

***

Shoken experienced a constant blurring within his mind. Things continued to jumble together then separate. It was as if two parts of his mind couldn’t connect as they should. Darkness crept into his vision, blinding him to the actions going on around him. He could still hear the sounds of battle, and he could smell the stench of blood as it filled the air. It was confusing, and it made him agitated. It made him want to strike out at the one who had done this to him.

“I see Ryo found his way, he found the part of himself he was searching for. What about you though? You found it then lost the reason for it.” A disembodied voice rang through his ears.

The voice echoed with such strength that it made his head hurt, he covered his ears to drown it out but that was useless. The words hurt more than the sound; it was something he could understand in all this mess, it wasn’t scrambled like everything else was. The after effect was a burning sensation that crawled across his brain and refused to go away. Shoken wanted it to stop, or at least stop the pain that flowed through his mind.

“I can’t tell you how to get back what you lost, but I can tell you that you’re the only one that can bring clarity back to your mind. Start by thinking about what the people around you mean to you.” The voice was now given a form as he stood before him, an aged man garbed in the darkness of his vision.

Shoken’s mind slowly began to piece together who the people where around him. Ryo and Cain were family, more like him than anyone else. Daxster, Selena, Zolf, Zebuxoruk and Rita were friends who had stuck by him in the past. He had seen the others briefly before even though he had trouble remembering the place, and then there was one person that he had trouble placing into his life. As hard as he tried he couldn’t find the words to describe that person.

***

The wraiths were fierce creatures as they had managed to push everyone back till they circled around Azia, Cain and Shoken. Ryo and Zebuxoruk had their hands full keeping Rallos Zek at bay, the two had managed to keep the war god at a stalemate. Things just kept getting worse as Azia and Rita prepared to fight. Cain on the other hand wasn’t going to give up this easily as he took a hold of one of Rita’s daggers and raked it across his fingers. He still had a few cards left in his hand, and though he didn’t want to play them now it was his last chance.

“Everyone, I need you to make sure nothing touches me while I complete this spell. Understand?” Cain looked around at everyone, waiting to see any objections.

He saw no objections as he set about the task at hand. Blood poured off his fingers as he began to scribe the archaic runes on the cold stone floor in front of him. The runes burned into the floor beneath them, mana flowed from Cain’s hands now strengthening the spell. As the wraiths around him fell, then rose up again the blood from his fingers took on a mind of its own as it began to complete the rest of the spell automatically. The floor itself suddenly darkened as a vortex of dark miasma took the place of his blood. This was followed by the wailing of untold souls in the abyss that now resided before him.

“This is anodd place to use up our agreement Cain.” This voice was soon followed by a dark robed figure that pulled itself from the darkness.

“I couldn’t help it. So do you think you can do something about these creatures here?” Cain pointed over at the wraiths which still continued to fall and rise again.

“Those look like they’ll be worth the visit here, I’d always heard about undead like those so I might as well test and see if the rumors are true.” The man pulled the hood back and smiled before all his skin shed away revealing a face of bloodied bone.

The wraiths attention turned from the others for a moment as they gazed upon the Lich before them. It was intimidating for them, a master of the undead almost at the pinnacle of his art. Emerald streams of mana burst from his hands, working their way across the oncoming undead atrocities causing them to stop dead in their tracks. He wasn’t playing any games like others might, he was dead serious now.

“Why didn’t you get him before you dirty little whelp?!” Azia screamed as he glared down at Cain.

“He’s not the kind of person who likes to be awakened without a good reason. And quite frankly he gives me the willies, that enough reason not to call him here before?” Cain looked up at her then back to the Lich.

“Cain, quit talking up the paladin and get back to what you were doing. Even I can only buy you some time when it comes to things such as these here.” The lich gave a cackle before turning its attentions back to the Wraiths.

Estak and Victor didn’t have to be told anything as they rushed in and began handling the Wraiths on a one on one basis. Trinaxe himself even found one to keep occupied as Daxster pelted it with arrows. Selena and Borias stood back near the master Lich, ready to give him whatever he needed to keep things as simple for them as possible. Jingur and Sly busied themselves with the Wraiths around Estak and Victor, their pets each going for the beasts wings.

Ryo and Zebuxoruk weren’t fairing so well against Rallos Zek as the two of them rolled across the floor from a single swing of the war god’s axe. If the two of them had been rested more then they surely could have lasted longer than this. They were both just as tired as the other now, their muscles ached and begged to be put to rest even as the war god came towards them again.

“I grow tired of you mortals, especially of you.” Rallos Zek growled as he turned, snatching Rita up from the shadows.

She was caught and now she was defenseless. The war god laughed as he threw her over into both Ryo and Zebuxoruk. This fight had been child’s play for him, amusing at best until now. He disliked such arrogance in mortals. He would not be taken down so easily by a mere thief in the shadows. Rallos Zek brought his war axe to his side, letting the blade rest on the floor as mana burst from the head.

“Welcome to the end Mortals!” Rallos Zek shouted as he brought his axe around swiftly.

The resulting mana wave scarred the already broken stone floor as it forced Ryo, Rita, and Zebuxoruk back past Azia. Everyone standing fell to their knees as the mana ate away at their bodies, even the Lich that had come to help them was crippled as his body returned to its mortal form. Now the war god was going to take his time savoring this victory as he made his way to them.

“You will all make fine parts for my Wraith army.” The war god raised his axe, ready to deal the final blow.

-Raise me up, I will help you with all our combine being to protect everyone- The exodus erupted with a fierce blaze of mana.

Azia raised the Exodus in her hand and a field of dense mana spread from the hilt into a shield surrounding everyone. The mana itself sliced through the limbs and bodies of the Wraiths that were caught in its path. Then the war god’s axe smashed into the shield, and that was when Azia felt mana leech from her body to reinforce the barrier. She was going to keep this up even if it meant her demise.

***

“I see you’re having some trouble with understanding those around you.” The aged man smiled as he trod around Shoken.

Shoken looked this way and that as his mind struggled to find the words he needed to describe the person he was thinking about. This was the problem, he knew the person, and knew they were important, but he needed a word better than that to give it more meaning. It was a person closer to him than all others, and that was all he could think of for now.

“Close, Important.” Shoken said this as he looked towards the man in the darkness.

“So this person is close to you and important. That is why you protect this person?” The man nodded, understanding now.

“Protect with all.” Shoken said this, still struggling to put thoughts and emotions into words.

“Ah, so this woman here is the one you speak of.” Upon saying this, an image appeared beside the aged man of Azia.

Shoken instinctively reached out to touch her. The image was both real and not real at the same time. He could feel her presence, but he couldn’t feel her physical form. Slowly he could sense it slipping away back into the darkness, and this caused his free hand to clench into a fist. He didn’t want her to go away. He didn’t want her to be gone from him, but that’s just what was happening as he felt her essence fading back into the darkness.

“I see your upset about the events going on. You can stop it all if you release your mind from its shackles.” A wave of the old man's hand revealed the thick metal band around Shoken’s head.

“Defend, Protect, Sacrifice.” Shoken gritted his teeth as his fingers wrapped around the metal band.

The darkness that clouded his vision faded as the metal band began to pull from his head. All the thick barbs keeping it attached gave way, and in doing so his mind cleared more. This was not enough though, he wanted it all back as the metal groaned under the stress. There was the sound metal scraping bone and the feeling of blood running down the back of his neck.

***

The exodus gave no warning as the field of mana retreated. Azia fell backwards as exhaustion took its toll on her body. She didn’t hit the floor though, but instead she fell against Zebuxoruk and Ryo. Azia was waiting for the Wraiths and Rallos Zek to descend upon them, instead the undead creatures shirked away in fear and the war god readied his axe. Something was changing about the plane as mana swirled about them, then began to change not into a spell but raw unbridled energy.

“Mortal, you dare stand against your master again?” Rallos Zek scowled, his war axe surging with mana.

Shoken turned to the war god, the energy swirling around his body. The blood covering his body quickly dried and flaked off, the flesh under it healing far faster than that of even monks who had trained force their bodies to mend itself under such harsh conditions. Then the energy wrapped around his body causing his muscles to take on a highly defined tone, saturated in the raw force that had charged them.

“Answer me mortal, why have you disobeyed your master?!” The war god shouted causing the entire room to shake.

“You’re not my master. You can’t be the master of something far greater than you even if it is a mortal.” Shoken’s eyes narrowed as he moved between Rallos Zek and the others.

End Chapter 22.

Zeiram

Shoken’s Adventures

Chapter 23

“Mortal vs. Immortal.”

Shoken stood his ground now as he watched the war god. This was someone he couldn’t turn his back on even for a moment. Shoken realized that he was the only obstacle between Rallos Zek and another invasion on Norrath. The moment that Ryo or he tried to leave the war god would use the rift formed between the planes to overcome the curse from the other gods. The only option for all of them to escape was to beat Rallos Zek in his own realm.

“So the Pawn wishes to take on the King? You’re even more arrogant than you friends there.” Rallos Zek laughed, the room shaking from his thunderous voice.

“Laugh all you want, but it’s not going to change the fact that I’m going to win!” Shoken shouted, his voice echoing through the room.

There was a quick burst of air as Shoken rushed forward. There was a quick rise of his leg and the war god’s axe was torn from his hands, crashing into the ceiling above. Rallos Zek growled as his hands intertwined with Shoken’s and the two began struggling for dominance. Miasmic mana and raw power struggled against one another. Rallos Zek smiled as he felt the mana within everyone present begin to dwindle away. This was how he dealt with mortals in the past that had been courageous enough to channel him. It had been their demise before, and he planned on it being the same thing that would once again hovel them again.

“You are a fool to challenge me here. You and your pathetic allies can’t hope to beat me if you have no mana to use. That is the weakness of you mortals; you don’t have the stamina to compete against a god.” The war god grinned down at Shoken with his orcish teeth bared.

“That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t need the touch of a clerics healing to keep my body strong, and I don’t need the power that a shaman can bestow with their blessings to increase my strength. My power doesn’t just come from mana or my heightened endurance. It comes from something you’ll never be able to tear away from me!” Shoken’s eyes narrowed as strength surged through his body.

Rallos Zek’s feet lost their traction on the floor at last. He slid backwards as Shoken pushed forward. This was the first time any mortal had managed to overcome his abilities, and for once in a long time he was awe struck. Shoken let go with no warning at all, in a flash he moved to the side as the war god fell forward and it was at that very moment he brought a fist down across Rallos Zek’s jaw. The war god tumbled across the stone floor as a mortal had finally gotten the best of him for once.

Shoken wasn’t about to let up as he rushed Rallos Zek head on. The miasmic mana once again clashed against raw power as the both of them slammed into the stone wall. There was another shove from Shoken and that was all it took for the wall to give away. Rallos Zek went through the hardened wall, pulling Shoken with him into the next room through the newly created passage. In the darkness their screams echoed, in the darkness flashes of light burst through the hole as the war gods aura of mana clashed with Shoken’s aura.

As the two titans raged on in the pitch black room the wraiths once again turned their attention towards Ryo and the others. Ryo had expected this, after all these things would follow exactly what the war god commanded. They had only hesitated in the presence of Shoken because he posed the strength to rival their master, and above all else Rallos Zek’s minions were hardwired to respect the strength of greater beings.

“Zolf I sure hope you still got some pop left into those fire crackers you call spells” Ryo’s fists clenched as he forced his body to stand.

“We’re all drained; even our backup here is hurting.” Zolf glanced back at the necromancer kneeling beside Cain.

“Well then I guess we’re stuck waiting. That’s fine by me cause I still got a little fight left in me!” Ryo snapped a palm forward as a spray of flame burst from his hand; molting the wraiths before him in fire.

All at once the wraiths in the room turned toward Ryo. He was the strongest, and he was the one who would garner their attention till he was dead. Several of the undead atrocities leapt through the air, they wouldn’t get the chance to strike though as Ryo pivoted on one leg and arced his free one through the air. Fire trailed from his foot as it came into contact with the dead flesh, and the wraiths all slammed back across the floor on fire.

“Looks like he has more than just a little fight left. That’s a good thing for us.” The necromancer smiled beneath his hood.

As one wraith after another fell to the stone floor the flesh of the necromancers hands shirked away leaving bloodied bones in their place. He wasn’t about to meet his end here and he sure wasn’t about to give up on the kind of him having no mana left in his body. This was his specialty, the very reason he and Cain had met. The abilities he possessed far exceeded those that the guilds had taught, this becoming blatantly evident as several large skeletal hands sprang up from the stone floor. The joints popped and bone ground against bone as they set upon their task, each clutching a wraith at the throat as the bare finger bones sank into the undead creatures flesh.

“Cain you always said you wanted to see how good I was, well your about to find out.” He said all this with a grin that faded away to a bloodied jaw bone.

The vitality of the wraiths oozed from their bodies in ethereal trails of ooze that slinked down the skeletal hands and crept across the floor to their new master. He gave off a hearty inhuman laugh as the slime pooled around everyone’s feet, bathing them in the stolen life force and mana from the wraiths. He loved the cool clammy sensation that raced cross his skeletal body now, nothing ever compared to this feeling. This was what set him apart from others, he cared not for eternal life like Miragul had and he could care less about dominating countless slaves like Meldrath had. No, he enjoyed stealing the lives of those who had dared to make him their enemy.

“You had better be ready to fight now damn it” Ryo growled as a wraith landed a clean hit that sent him reeling back into the pool of ooze.

“Ryo, I got these you just help the others regain their strength.” Zebuxoruk burst forward impaling several wraiths upon a lance of mana.

This was something Ryo hated the most, he didn’t like letting other people protect him and fight his battles. The slime at his feet was having very little effect on his body, all it did was sooth the scrapes and bruises at best. Ryo knew that this was near life saving for the others, they didn’t have the resilience that he had. He also knew that Shoken wasn’t going to be able to keep up the fight with Rallos Zek much longer. Ryo could feel him weakening little by little; the truth was the both of them had pushed their bodies far beyond even their own limits.

“Zolf you can get us all out of this place right?” Ryo kneeled down as he started catch his breath.

“Sorry, the pantheons curse interferes with all of my transport spells here.” Zolf keep his eyes on the wraiths as he spoke, he didn’t want to get caught off guard especially now.

Ryo stared down into the ooze, trying to up with a way they could all escape without the war god following them. Zebuxoruk had followed through the planar rift he had created before with Wrath. That weapon was long gone now though, and the tear in the planes only allowed one way travel. The real problem lay with the reality that the rift he’d have to tear now would be more than powerful enough for Rallos Zek and his minions to travel through.

“You, necromancer?! How did you get here?” Now Ryo turned his gaze to the skeletal being.

“It was an ancient blood pact that brought me here. It takes years to create the materials needed for it.” The necromancer would have scowled if he had facial muscles anymore.

Azia on the other hand still had the Exodus firmly clenched in her hands. She was readying herself just as Estak and Victor where now. Zebuxoruk would eventually tire and when he did they’d have to fight once again. The Exodus itself was even fearful of this place as its emotions pulsed through Azia’s hands. Speaking now for it would have been pointless as Rallos Zek smashed his way back into the room without Shoken in sight.

“None of you shall escape my wrath!” The war god bellowed as miasmic mana once again flooded into the room.

“We’re not finished yet!” Shoken’s voice boomed as the wall beside Rallos Zek blew out into the room.

The flying debris distracted the war god enough for Shoken to regain the advantage as he shouldered rammed the behemoth into the opposite wall. The wall cracked under the force of Rallos Zek’s bulk crashing into it, but it completely shattered as Shoken threw a punch that barely missed the war gods head. The axe that had once been firmly embedded into the ceiling came down into Rallos Zek’s hands before it arced through the air. Shoken moved backwards avoiding the blade only to catch the full brunt of the mana wave that burst from the blades of the axe. Now he was at a disadvantage, his body was barely able to handle the mana that had come from the axe, if the blade actually hit him he’d be done for.

“What are you waiting for Ryo?! Use the Exodus and get them out of here!” Shoken slid back as another wave of mana from Rallos Zek’s axe hit his body.

“They won’t escape this place mortal, and neither will you.” The war gods voice echoed through the room as his axe crashed into the stone floor.

The remaining wraiths all erupted in ethereal flames of mana. Zebuxoruk was the first to receive the surprise as the first one he touched exploded, sending his body tumbling onto the ooze covered floor. Ryo wasn’t thinking anymore as he moved between the others and wraiths. He was given no choice as bolts of energy crept up from the ooze and gathered across his body. Flames surged across his body once more as his muscles became engorged with raw power, now he didn’t need to destroy the wraiths outright. They’d do all the hard work for him, and buy some desperately needed time.

The strain on his body before hadn’t been from the power it generated; rather it had been from keeping that power in control. Now he didn’t have to focus it all as a field of flames surrounded the slime pool on the floor, with a quick whip of his hands it curved around gathering all the wraiths up into one area. They would no longer be the War Gods self destructing weapons, they were now his weapons and he was going to use them to their fullest extent.

“Get out of the way now Shoken!” Ryo shouted as he shoved a flame covered palm forward.

It had taken a moment for Shoken to understand what was happening, but the very moment he did he threw both of his own hands towards Rallos Zek. Energy rippled down his hands as a blast of energy hit the War God full on in the face. Shoken felt the heat bearing down on his back as he dove to the side. Explosion upon explosion blasted around inside the flaming sphere, the wraiths were self destructing but the mana from the explosions wasn’t escaping through the flames it in fact was compounding upon itself.

Rallos Zek never saw the attack coming as the flame sphere smashed into his body. The flames parted across his armor and the power from the wraiths exploding inside burst outward sending the War God clean through the wall. The resulting blast caused everyone’s ears to ring, and Shoken was thrown back into the pool of ooze along with everyone else. For him it hurt almost as much as the first few clean blows that Rallos Zek had landed on him when they’d first started fighting, but now his body was numb from the sudden impact.

“Shoken, the Exodus is yours so you use it to get everyone out of here.” Ryo took a defensive stance as he glared towards the wall Rallos Zek had been sent through.

Shoken looked at Azia for a moment as he held out his hand. She thought this was all over with as she held out the Exodus in trembling hands. Azia couldn’t grasp the words she wanted to say to him as he took the hilt and a sky blue bolt of energy took the shape of a blade. She didn’t know whether to slap him and tell him off or hug him. The Exodus itself calmed down as Shoken swung it through the air, tearing a path through the fabric of the planes leading back to Norrath. The tear widened and the arena at Lake Rathe came into view.

“Everyone I think its time to go home.” Shoken did his best to smile as he watched on.

None had to be told twice to go through the portal. Zebuxoruk helped both Sly and Jingur through the tear first followed soon by Trinaxe, Victor, Estak, and Borias. Cain motioned for Zolf to go on ahead of him as both he and the necromancer walked side by side into the rift. The two had a great deal of things to discuss for using the pact they’d made with one another. Azia however wasn’t going to go, least not until Shoken was at her side. She was far too stubborn for her own good at times.

“I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you Azia, and I hope you’ll forgive me for this.” Shoken hugged Azia without warning, shoving the Exodus into her hands as he pushed her through the planar rift.

“You should have gone with her you know.” Ryo glanced backwards, readied for the war god.

“It’ll take some time before the rift closes, and it’s going to take both of us to pull this one off.” Shoken walked up beside Ryo and readied himself.

The pool of ooze still remained on the stone floor behind them as bolts of energy crawled across their bodies. The two of them knew that this could very well be their last fight. They couldn’t beat Rallos Zek on their own, and now they both felt the price their bodies had paid to protect those that they cared for. They stood before the portal between the war god’s plane and that of Norrath itself. Shoken and Ryo would most likely never be known in the lore passed down by storytellers and bards, which was fine for them as long as they could do just this one thing for their loved ones.

“You are both fools! Norrath is mine!” Rallos Zek had been waiting for this very moment.

He rushed through the broken wall before them. Fatigue had made the two of them slow, but Rallos Zek was still moving at full steam as his body collided with both of theirs. He wasn’t stopped by this though as he kept on pushing, forcing them both through the slime on the floor. They managed to stop him just at the rifts edge, then without warning the ooze came to life as it first raced up Shoken’s legs then up Ryo’s. Soon the two were covered in a shell of slime from head to toe, and like this neither could breathe.

“No one shall stop my reign of the mortal world!” Rallos Zek howled as he pushed once more.

The War God forced both Shoken and Ryo into the rift first. The slime on their bodies erupted into a bright blinding light, and then Rallos Zek himself entered the tear just before it started the close. The fight was now going to play itself out on Norrath, the very place that Rallos Zek was going to lay siege to for the curse that had been placed upon him…

End Chapter 23.

Zeiram

Shoken’s Adventures

Chapter 24

“Enlightenment.”

The darkness was upon them once again. It encompassed everything around them and yet they showed no fear or confusion. They had been here before, and now they were here again. The two knew full well this was the place they came to earlier, when Rallos Zek was fighting against their friends and loved ones. It was also the place they had come to when they first left Norrath after the battle with Xernoss in the Greater Faydark.

“Why are we here?!” Shoken stood ready for an answer.

“That’s what I want to know also. We should be back on Norrath giving Rallos Zek the beating of his immortal life, not playing these games!” Ryo took a place beside Shoken as he too waited for an answer.

The darkness about them swirled back and forth as if it was making a decision. This alone would unnerve most people, but for Ryo and Shoken it was simply useless movement with no intent behind it. They had become attuned to this place after their previous visits, or so they thought as the same old man from before moved out the shadows behind them. This was his realm, one that most couldn’t even imagine let alone comprehend.

“You’re both here because you lack the abilities to defeat your enemy.” Upon having said that the old man walked past the two to stare into the darkness.

“You’re wrong we both can fight against Rallos Zek evenly. Together we can crush him without worry.” Ryo said this as his hands clenched into fists.

“That is where you are most definitely wrong. What happens if you bring kindling to a fire? Does it not grow? Then what happens when you bring a fire into the woods without a barrier? It spreads uncontrollably correct?” At this the old man turned to the two for the answers to his questions.

“Yes, it would spread beyond control. What does that have to do with Rallos Zek though?” Shoken answered before Ryo could spout off again.

“Gods gain power when mortals believe that they are in fact gods. Each time someone on Norrath makes an offering to the gods their power is reaffirmed. Their planes act as a conduit allowing them to maintain their power over long durations ensuring that mortals make offerings and believe in them. With Rallos Zek so close to those that believe in him he will grow stronger.” The old man turned back around towards the darkness.

It was true that he had lived much longer than the gods had. The two parts of him that made him one had existed in a balance. He had seen many races and creatures during his span; in fact he saw the destruction of the first elves on Norrath along with the wars waged by the creations of Rallos Zek and Cazic Thule. The truth was he was so old that he no longer remembered his name, and in a sense he was nameless. He knew that Norrath existed on a very fine balance, and that a great many things could upset that balance.

“So what if Rallos Zek becomes stronger? We’ll stop him no matter the cost!” Ryo sneered ready to attack from the earlier ordeal.

“You two have something very special. You have ability to resonant with one another as well as being able to refine the raw mana within your bodies and surroundings into a completely different force.” The old man turned offering them both a grim smile.

Shoken and Ryo knew the costs of using those methods to fight. It was like breaking open a dam then trying to control the way the water flows with twigs. The stress of the control alone was enough to kill easily, and it had nearly killed Ryo in the war gods plane. They couldn’t afford to try it again and not kill Rallos Zek straight out. Failure would mean that they’d die as well as everyone else around them.

“Can you help us defeat Rallos Zek then since we can not?” Ryo gritted his teeth he didn’t like asking for help from anyone.

“I can’t give you power. I will tell you that you both have the tools you already need to win you just don’t know how to use them yet. So let’s begin the lesson shall we?” The old mans form split into two separate forms.

The old men raced through the darkness around Shoken and Ryo. They were fast and agile to the point that even the most deft dark elf or dwarf couldn’t match them. The first swooped in, two palm strikes landing firmly across Ryo and Shoken’s chest that sent them reeling backwards. The other part was already behind them; Shoken saw it coming and countered by flipping onto his hands springing over the old man. Ryo had different plans as he swung around with his fist missing quite horribly. It didn’t take long for the two to make observations about their foes. One had a robe that was seamed in blue thread and the other has seams with red on it. If it wasn’t for this, then they would easily be mistaken for a single person attacking far faster than they had ever witnessed.

“You’re going to need to do better than that to pass this test before Rallos Zek lays waste to Norrath.” The two old men spoke with one voice in perfect time.

***

Skeletal hands soaked in blood clenched at an ethereal scythe. The Necromancer as he was called had been doing what the arena patrons had not been able to when Rallos Zek had come through the portal. The stone that preceded the war god had frightened most away. The ones that stayed were far too weak to defend themselves save for Zebuxoruk. That was one of his more unique talents; he had the will to persevere when no others would. The darkness he had called hadn’t just slowed Rallos Zek, but it had brought the god to a halt.

“You should have stayed in your own realm Rallos. We’ve got the advantage here at our home; you can’t sap our mana like you did before.” The necromancer flashed a skeletal grin as dark mist flowed around his feet.

“That’s where you’re wrong mortal, I don’t need the aid of my plane here. I have all the power I could ever want, after all the arenas of Norrath are places dedicated to battle and war.” Rallos Zek smiled an ever so orcish smile as mana flowed from the arena floor into his body.

The darkness around Rallos Zek’s feet gave way and he charged full on at his enemy with his war axe readied. He was going to enjoy this fight, then after that he’d enjoy another and another till all of Norrath was annihilated. Mana crackled through the air as the great war axe came down, all the while the necromancer never attempted to move. Rallos Zek finally understood why the necromancer remained still as his axe crashed into a barrier of pure mana, sparks of mana flew in all directions as the swing was fully absorbed.

“No more games Rallos, you’ve forgotten your own rules of combat!” Zebuxoruk rushed in, his lance coming down against the war god’s side.

“And you’ve forgotten the power I can possess!” Rallos Zek took the strike full on, and with a swing of his axe sent Zebuxoruk reeling across the arena floor.

Zebuxoruk counted himself lucky; the armored thread of his clothes shielded his flesh from the cut, but not the impact of the strike. He couldn’t have asked for better timing as Estak and Victor ran past him, both with shields in hand. Rallos Zek swung with his axe just the same causing the shields to bend profusely in odd directions. Azia herself was already heading into the fray as she pulled a sword from her back. The blade slammed into the war axe with enough force to cause the arena to shake, Cain instantly recognized it. It was the sword she had found during their trip to Faydwer, but he wondered where the Exodus was.

“You’re good at bullying people around Rallos Zek, but we’re not going to let you take our world from us.” Azia screamed as her sword clashed with Rallos Zek’s axe again.

“A Paladin to the end I see. Die knowing that you can do nothing to stop me!” Rallos Zek howled as he ripped the sword from her hands.

The war god’s axe came down only to smash into another barrier of pure mana. It was then that he felt the reasoning behind their full frontal assault as Rita plunged the blade of the Exodus deep into his back. She hadn’t stayed long as she retreated back behind Azia, leaving the Exodus in place. The mana from its blade wracked the war god’s body with pain, yet he still remained standing. The tactician part of his mind raced as he searched for the reasoning behind all this, then it dawned on him as he peered up into the sky. Great storm clouded had formed above the arena, the work of wizards weaving their spells.

“Thundaka!” Both Zolf and Cain shouted in unison as great bolts of lightning began traveling down from the clouds.

Rallos Zek frantically reached back for the Exodus, but his armor kept the sword firmly out of his grasp. The bolts of lightning immediately merged into one gigantic surge as it finally homed in on the Exodus, striking it dead on. Light flickered from around Rallos Zek as the blade magnified the spell a hundred fold before consuming the area around his body in a flash of white light. The resulting shock of air and boom of thunder sent the Exodus sailing across the arena floor.

“Did you get him Cain?” The necromancer questioned as his boney hands clenched the scythe.

“I think so old friend, but be ready just the same.” Cain coughed as his tired body took in air.

They had met the limit of their abilities long ago; the only thing that had let Zolf and him harness the mana they needed was the small harvest they had managed upon arriving back on Norrath. He was relieved when the only thing he saw after the dust cleared was a crater of rubble in the arena floor that still pulsed with electricity. Then the rubble began to move as the war god began to pull himself from the stone mess. Cain clenched his hands in anger, they had used everything and still he was able to get up.

“Not so fast Rallos, you’re not moving from here for awhile!” The necromancer shouted as his boney fingers and palms slapped onto the arena floor.

There was a brief crackle of mana across the stone floor as blood covered skeletal hands and disease ridden arms sprang up from the stone. Each free limb latched onto Rallos Zek, preventing him from standing all the way up and holding him down firmly. The necromancer’s hood slid from his head as a bloodied skull and glowing emerald eyes that blazed with mana came into few view. There was a constant flow of mana into the limbs holding down the war god, and it would only be a matter of time before the mana stopped.

“I certainly hope you can keep this up, because once I’m free you’ll be the first mortal I torture after I’m finished with the others.” Rallos Zek laughed as he remained tightly bound.

“If I were you I’d be more worried about how quickly the rest recover. You’re not in your home anymore so you can’t take their mana away like before” The eyes of the necromancer burned brighter as he spoke.

***

“Ryo, follow my lead. I’ve got a plan.” Shoken winced as he rubbed at the sore section of his chest.

“We can’t fair any worse than we already have now, but you’d better be sure this works.” It didn’t take long for Ryo to understand what Shoken was going at.

The old man in blue threads moved in as quickly as he had done before but instead of striking home with his palms again Shoken and Ryo split to either side. There was a fast pivot from both as they slammed a round kick directly into the old mans back, sending him flying into his mirror opposite that had been ready to attack them from behind. They understood the lesson now, in order to pass this little test they had to work together in perfect harmony.

They didn’t waste any time as they moved in close. The two split off with a single old man and the two once again mirrored one another’s actions. The old men had no way of countering as a flurry of jabs assaulted their face’s which was followed up by a vicious right cross that caught them full on in the face. Shoken and Ryo spun to the side and planted a spinning back kick into the old men’s abdomens that sent then backwards and into each other.

“Looks like you have that part down. Let’s see if you can handle this next one!” The old men smiled as they once again became one.

“Now it’s my turn Shoken.” Ryo grinned as he sized up the old man.

Ryo bolted in, managing to dodge the old man’s first strike. He planted hands directly on the ground and snapped both of his feet up into the old man’s chin sending him up into the air. Shoken was already on the move as he leapt into the air just moments before Ryo landed his kick. Shoken’s body span in the air as he lashed down with an axe kick across the old man’s head that sent him back down to the ground causing a loud slap to echo through the darkness.

“I see you’ve learned how to work together quickly. Now it’s time to show you what you’ll be facing.” The old man stood up, brushing his clothes off as if nothing had happened.

The darkness before the old man parted as a large ring of light appeared. Soon an image formed within the circle. It was Sly and Jingur each hanging onto Rallos Zek while he pulled himself free from decaying limbs from the arena floor. The war god bellowed out and both of the Vah Shir flew through the air slapping into the arena walls. Rallos Zek then turned his attention towards someone else as he swung his axe through the air. Zinka’s motionless body sailed across the arena floor soon after the axe made its full travel.

“It seems that your friends have done very well in keeping Rallos Zek busy with you away. Well on second thought maybe they haven’t.” The old man scowled as Rallos Zek caught his newest victims.

The war god had Azia in one hand and Rita in the other both by their throats. The women’s faces began to turn red as the air was choked off from their lungs. Rallos Zek was no longer playing now; he was fully intending to finish what had been started back in his realm. The reaction from Shoken and Ryo at this sight was just what the old man expected. The raw power that they could transform from mana surged through their bodies. They were more than ready to take the fight back to Rallos Zek and this time he could tell they weren’t going to give him any quarter what so ever.

“It’s time you two went back, but Ryo I think this belongs to you.” The old man offered a smile as a black gauntlet appeared on Ryo’s hand, and then just as easily as they had come they where gone from the darkness.

***

The world around Azia faded as her lungs struggled for air that would not come. Rita herself was fighting with all her might as her dagger slammed repeated into Rallos Zek’s arm with no effect. Azia could feel her body going numb, her senses dulled and then her mind drifted off into unconsciousness. She was faintly aware of Rita still fighting as well as her own arms trying to free her from the War Gods death grip.

Cain felt the ambient mana in the area being drained as he once again tried to harvest what he could. Instead the orbs of mana shot off into the distance, disappearing into the stone that had come with Rallos Zek. Then the stone was no longer a stone as two figures burst from it sending debris all around the arena. Their speed kept Cain from visibly knowing who they were, but his gut feeling told him their identities.

“Take this you bastard!” Ryo’s gauntlet covered hand came into view as it slammed into the dead center of Rallos Zek’s face.

The War God instantly released the two women as his hands shot towards his face in a vain attempt at relieving the pain from his now broken nose. Blood poured from Rallos Zek’s face as he stumbled backwards. This didn’t feel like the same man he had faced in his realm. He had changed somehow, but at the back of the god’s mind he felt a nagging pull before realizing that there was another strike coming his way.

“And here’s another just incase Ryo’s didn’t set things right!” Shoken’s bare hand came down across Rallos Zek’s jaw.

The two now stood side by side, between Rallos Zek and the unconscious bodies of Azia and Rita. The two fully knew what the other was thinking now and it was the same thing. They were not going to let Rallos Zek lay another hand on Azia and Rita, or on any of their friends here in the arena with them now. Shoken and Ryo both made this intent clear, their feet slammed down onto the arena floor as they took their fighting stances. The stone beneath their feet cracked under the shock and shattered as raw power coursed through their bodies.

“We’re not going to let you hurt them ever again!” Both Shoken and Ryo spoke at once, ready to fight to the bitter end.

End Chapter 24.

Zeiram

Shoken’s Adventures

Chapter 25

“The World is Their Audience.”

Rallos Zek, the God of War, raised a single armor encased hand into the air. The air was filled with a surge of mana that coursed from the arena floor, through the war god’s body, and then finally arced into the air. Shoken and Ryo could sense no malice in this act, and that was perhaps what was more disturbing than anything else Rallos Zek had done so far. The god’s motives had been made clear before them earlier, he wanted to destroy Norrath, but the method he was now using confused them.

“Your gaze now tells me you want to know what I did. I’ll just tell you, all of Norrath can now see us within their pathetic mortal minds. They shall witness your defeat, and they will witness all those who fall afterwards.” Rallos Zek spoke and then erupted into a sickeningly thunderous bout of laughter.

“You mean Norrath is going to see us beat the hell out of you and send you packing back to your own plane.” Ryo smiled as he spoke now, for as tired as he was he was going to make every last breath of his count.

“It’s time we showed you what the two of us can do when we work together!” Shoken screamed, he bolted forward with Ryo following his lead.

Shoken lunged forward with a punch that connected firmly against Rallos Zek’s open palm. The War God thought he had the upper hand until Ryo leapt over Shoken, landing a solid kick square across Rallos Zek’s chin. Sparks of energy sprayed into the air as the power in Ryo’s body reacted with the mana in Rallos Zek’s body. He made the mistake of releasing Shoken and that soon became a deadly mistake as Shoken sprang straight up into the air slamming a rising uppercut into very same spot Ryo had landed his kick.

This was what Ryo had come to expect from Shoken as his body already spun through the air catching Rallos Zek across the face with his shin. The War God’s body flew backwards with this sudden sharp impact, his armor clad body causing a spray of mana and metallic sparks to fly into the air as he slid across the stone floor of the arena. Rallos Zek wasn’t finished though as he stood back up, his armor no worse for the wear as his eyes locked in on Ryo and Shoken across the arena.

“Mortals never cease to disappoint me. It’s time I show you what war is really like.” Rallos Zek burst into laughter after those words.

The War God rushed the two without as much as a second thought. Ryo made his move as he sprang forward stopping Rallos Zek’s massive fist with both of his hands. It was then that Shoken saw the opening he was looking for as he leapt over Ryo, ready to deliver a flying kick. Rallos Zek had other plans as he swung his other hand around, there was the sound of metal slapping against flesh as Shoken flew across the arena and into a stone pillar. It appeared as though the War God was fully ready to bring the fight to them now.

***

All across Norrath the races watched on as the two human fighters stood their ground against Rallos Zek. In the bars there were cheers and shouts in favor of both the War God and the two defenders of Norrath. In Crow’s Pub there was no exception to this as a High elf, two dark elves, and a gnome all drunkenly slammed their steins on the counter. This in itself wasn’t out of the ordinary unless you took into the account that every so often the Mage slipped some of the contents of his stein to his Earthen elemental as if it was a pet.

“Looky here, we gotta couple of elves an a gnome givin good booze to a mud ball.” Krom spoke up through a mouth of busted teeth from the far side of the bar.

It’d taken several weeks for Krom just to learn to talk again after Ryo had driven his head through the bar top. Crow himself had a hard enough time finding another suitable piece of wood to take the bar tops place. Of course fights always did happen when a new batch of his special Brew hit the shelves. Then again Crow had also seen the elves and the gnome in the bar before, several days after Ryo had left his mark on it.

“You know, I think those two guys going against Rallos Zek are the ones that busted up my bar and put you in your place Krom. And quiet down, this is my bar and it doesn’t matter who gets the drink as long as it’s paid for.” Crow scowled at Krom as he set another bottle of his brew down in front of the high elf.

“Crow I didn’t think you’d be an elf and gnome lover. Besides that guy just got lucky, I could take Rallos Zek with one arm tied behind my back.” Krom gloated as usual; stupidity was apparently a quality that wasn’t beaten out of him before.

“Don’t listen to a thing this numbskull say’s T.R, you at least pay your tab on time.” Crow nodded as he turned to wipe out a mug.

“I got my money on the two human’s going against Rallos Zek, an I also got my money on us wiping the floor with the loud mouth. Now go get em sparky!” T.R slapped a bag of platinum on the counter before pointing his hand at Krom.

The little earth elemental scurried across the floor and with no more orders slammed a rock covered fist into the loud mouthed Barbarian’s groin. The whole bar erupted into an all out fight. Chairs flew across the room as insults barked from peoples mouths. Crow instinctively grabbed the last few bottles of his special brew and hid them under counter. Several bolts of electricity zapped through the air from T.R’s fingers causing Krom’s hair to frizz up into an odd mass of fuzz. The fighting would have continued if it wasn’t for the fact that the two fighters against Rallos Zek did something unexpected as they apparently retreated.

***

“Looks like he’s got us pegged when it comes to tactics now. But I know something he can’t match us in.” Shoken wiped blood from his lips before spitting on the ground.

“Fine by me, lets show him what we can really do.” Ryo smirked as he began to size Rallos Zek up again.

The two nodded at one another before they vanished in a swirl of dust. At first the dust settled, then it began to circle around Rallos Zek, slowly the circle began to close in. Zebuxoruk was the first to notice as he caught a glimpse of an image in the haze. The ungod struggled to watch them move, but it was too late. The War God doubled over in pain before falling to his knees. There was an explosion of energy as Shoken and Ryo came back into view, forcing Rallos Zek up into the air with an uppercut.

“This is why we’re going to win!” Ryo shot up into the air past Rallos Zek.

The gauntlet came to life as power surged through it, several foreign eyes opening up all across the metal. Those eyes burned crimson as the pupils focused into to tiny slivers of darkness. Ryo didn’t hesitate as he brought his arm clad hand down into Rallos Zek’s face that caused a series of cracks in the armor encasing the War God’s head. The god was ready though as he began his decent his war axe readied as he took aim for Shoken’s body with it.

There was a swing of the axe, and the ground beneath Shoken shattered and bowed under the force but much to Rallos Zek’s irritation the Exodus came to life within his adversary’s hands. Light poured from the ethereal blade as it clashed with the War God’s axe. They had definitely trumped the god of war once again, and for any mortal that was a feat to behold no matter who they might be. Fighting Rallos Zek to a stale mate was thought to be impossible for mortals, or so the other gods had assumed.

“There’s something you should know fools, I’ve been waiting for you to make your moves. This is my arena, and when you step into an arena you step into my temple!” Rallos Zek bellowed as miasmic mana slammed through the arena.

The two found themselves on the receiving end now as their bodies flew across the arena and pounded into the stone walls. Both the Exodus’s blade and the eyes on the Wrath gauntlet withered away into nothingness. Shoken fell to his knees as he struggled to regain his senses as did Ryo. They hadn’t yet given everything their all, that much they were thankful for. The two of them still had something tucked away, because as they knew everyone needed a second plan.

“Then we’re not going to be the only ones who lose here Rallos Zek!” Shoken and Ryo shouted as they stood up, side by side now.

Stone gave way as raw unbridled power coursed through both of their bodies. Ryo’s skin took on its red hue once more as fire erupted all around his body; once again he fought to control the rage of the inferno that his body had brought on. Shoken’s body strained as blue wisps of flame crawled all over his body; he too experienced the price that must be paid as his muscles struggled to keep from tearing themselves apart.

There was no dust this time as the two moved; instead crimson and sky blue flames marked where they had been. They moved against one another as they ran circles around Rallos Zek, every so often the flames would touch and bolts of energy would ripple through the floor into the war god stunning him. There was no warning in what happened next as they moved in perfect synchronization, Ryo’s flaming body coming into view behind Rallos Zek as Shoken’s appeared in front.

The two’s hands moved in a blur of fire and explosions of mana; their fists hammered into the War God’s armor. Shards of Armor flew through the air landing on the arena floor as the heavily muscled orcish body of Rallos Zek came into view. With each blow that landed more of the War God’s protection disappeared until nothing was left of the Rallosian breastplate. They continued on as the sounds of bones snapping could be heard, some being their own and some being that of Rallos Zek’s ribs. Ryo and Shoken were finally ready as each drew back a single fist. Intense white light raced from Shoken’s body and condensed into his fist while at the same time the blaze that surrounded Ryo formed into crimson shine with his clenched hand.

“Twin Breaker!” Shoken and Ryo shouted at the same time, their fists both smashing into Rallos Zek.

There was an eerie wail as the energies from the two’s fists collided within Rallos Zek’s body. The arena was soon bathed in an intense crimson and white flicker that blinded those unfortunate enough to watch on. Zebuxoruk instinctively moved between the light and his fallen friends bodies. The ungod could feel the threads of his clothes burn as if both a fierce cold and blazing inferno raced across his body. Once again he played protector, but this time the shield of mana he projected only worked for those behind him.

The stench of burnt flesh drifted into the air after the light subsided. Ryo lay on the far side of the arena, the stone wall behind him cracked from where his body had been thrown into it. Shoken lay on the other side, only he hadn’t reached the wall and lay sprawled on the warm stone floor. The two both felt the same thing as they struggled to deal with the hammering of their hearts inside their chests. Sweat poured down each ones skin, only this time Ryo’s body dealt with the severe rise in heat far better.

“Did we get him Ryo?” Shoken coughed as he slowly sat up.

“Don’t know, couldn’t see what happened.” Ryo gritted his teeth as the heat in his body subsided.

***

The fighting in Crow’s pub might have subsided but T.R still drank and cheered the two humans on. This was one of the greatest arena battles he had ever witnessed, and he had seen a lot while drunk. Krom had managed to shut up long enough to pay attention to the match, and he now sat battered and dumbfounded on how Rallos Zek had been beaten before all of Norrath. The smoke in the arena finally settled down enough for everyone to get a clear look at the aftermath, where the War God once stood was nothing but a mound of broken stone.

“Hey Crow, looks like them two did a number on Rallos Zek. Think he’s finished off?” T.R. waved for another drink as he spoke.

“If they didn’t then we’re all doomed. You do know that right?” Crow himself was curious on this as well.

“Of course I know, why do you think I’m drinking so much?” T.R. smiled and started on another stein.

“I could have sworn it was because I just put some of my special brew back on the shelf.” Crow turned back to few steins that hadn’t been broken.

Crow paid attention to the vision in his mind as he cleaned the steins. He was relieved, and proud that two of his patrons had done so much against Rallos Zek. That relief turned to complete terror as the rubble in the arena moved, the War God’s body standing up from the debris. The calm of the scene was shattered as mana rippled down Rallos Zek’s body, reassembling the Rallosian armor on his body. Crow now knew that the fight would go on, and the God of War looked determined as his war axe was readied.

***

Shoken felt his body heave through the air, he had been the first to enter the fray with Rallos Zek again. While he did good to avoid the axe, he could not avoid the War God’s armored hand as it smash across his face afterwards. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he slid to a rest beside Ryo, for them the fight had taken a deadly turn of events. However Shoken had one more idea left to try and it was one of the more dangerous ones on their behalf.

“Ryo, Greater Faydark…” Shoken spoke as a faint aura of light surrounded his form.

“It’s all or nothing then, there will be no in between!” Ryo stood up at those words, light surrounding his body as well.

The two took off in a full run, zig zagging their way to Rallos Zek. Ryo took the first strike that Rallos threw full on, his hands grabbing onto the War God’s arms with a death grip. Shoken had all the opening he needed as he slipped behind Rallos Zek and wrapped his arms round the God as best as he could in his own death grip. The God of War tried with all his might to free himself from their grasp, but even his brute strength was useless as Ryo’s fingers sank into the flesh of his arms. He could feel Shoken’s unbridled strength crushing the armor around his chest, light burned intensely around the two humans bodies.

“What’re you doing you pathetic mongrels?!” Rallos Zek shouted as he smashed his head against Ryo’s face.

“Like we said before, we’re not going to be the only ones to lose here!” Ryo growled as blood poured from his head.

“We’ll never let you have Norrath, even if it means our deaths…” Shoken’s grip tighted at these words until the Rallosian armor crumpled.

“Luminaire!” Shoken and Ryo both screamed out as the light from their bodies encompassed the entire arena.

There was a sudden vacuum of wind as energy was suddenly drawn in all at once. The arena floor, as well as the entire Lake Rathe itself began to shake violently. Several ogre’s near the entrance to the Rathe Mountains all fell into the lake, much to the disapproval of the fish there. The skeletal undead near the Karana’s flew apart as they could no longer with stand the earth quakes intensity. In the arena the great blood covered Spires all shifted in ward vanishing into the vortex of light that had engulfed the god and the two human’s who had unleashed this savage force...

End Chapter 25.

Zeiram

Shoken’s Adventures

Chapter 26

“Broken Minds.”

The feelings of the material world had long since disappeared for Azia. She had been consumed by a void of darkness, but she wasn’t alone. She could feel the presence of two others, one that she knew to be Rita, and another that resembled nothing she’d ever experienced. This was a place surely wasn’t the afterlife she’d imagined that would have been in store for someone who followed the path of the Marr twins. Azia also knew this was nothing of the sort that she might expect from any other deity, this place just existed and did nothing more.

“So you’re the ones that keep those two going. I must say I’m surprised to see this kind of determination even from them.” The old man snapped his fingers and dim light pushed the darkness away.

“Who are you? And where is Shoken at?” Azia reached for her weapon as she questioned the man.

“He is not here, and neither is Ryo though they have been here before. Now stop hiding in the darkness already.” With a clap of his hands the old man caused the shadows to spit Rita out into plain view.

“Okay, so where are we then?” Azia crossed her arms in frustration.

“You’re in the void before the beginning and after the end. And yes in a sense you have died, but since you’re here Rallos Zek’s rules of battle don’t apply.” The old man nodded as he scratched as his bearded chin.

“What rules are you talking about?” Rita stood up, crossing her arms just like Azia.

“The rules Rallos Zek follows are this, if you are a sufficiently strong fighter and perish in his arena he gains control of your soul. If you two are here then it means he’s going to torment your two love interests.” The old man smiled as he said this.

“What’re you talking about? Rita it might be true of, but you’re mistaken if you think I love Shoken. He’s an idiot, and he’s always doing something to get under my skin.” Azia’s gaze, if it were a spell, would have frozen the old man dead in his tracks.

“I guess I should provide some evidence.” With a snap of his fingers the darkness turned into a flickering veil of light that slowly faded away to the arena.

The light wasn’t simply from the veil itself, it was being created by some unseen force within the middle of the arena. Azia had never seen light take on such a violent appearance as it swirled around, being drawn into the center of the mass. The arena itself looked like it was going to tear itself apart at any moment, but it remained standing as the light subsided. There were two figures standing there, the large hulking form of Rallos Zek covered in blood and shattered armor and another figure just as badly ravaged by the light. The two fell to the ground, but the God of War was the first to move as he raised a single orcish arm into the air.

“He’ll get up, Shoken always gets up.” Azia did her best not to show her concern.

Shoken did not get up though, instead she watched on as Rallos Zek stood up. She watched on as the Rallosian armor slowly repaired itself. The next thing was unimaginable as the War God snatched Shoken up by his hair only to drive his head right back down onto the stone floor. Rallos Zek howled in laughter as he rained fist upon fist down onto Shoken’s battered face. This was enough to make Azia turn away as Shoken’s blood poured freely onto the arena’s stone floor.

“This is a trick, this isn’t happening. If it was then Ryo would be there.” Azia denied what she saw as best as she could.

“That’s right! Ryo would never let this happen!” Rita turned away also not wanting to see the violence.

“Ryo is there, just not where you would expect him. And I assure you, this is most certainly happening. You two are going to see something very special soon…” The old man sat down, shadows forming his seat as he watched on.

***

“Pathetic Mortal! You’re allies are beaten, and your friend is gone.” Rallos Zek laughed as he lifted Shoken into the air by his hair again.

Shoken could do nothing as he peered out of swollen eyes. Nobody had been left standing, and he could do well to just stay awake now. It had been a long time since his body had felt so cold and tired. He wanted to rest, and he knew there was nothing left in his body to give anymore. Shoken realized he had pushed his body far beyond its limits, and in truth he wondered how he was still alive now. All he could do now was survey the arena for Azia and Rita as well. He needed to see if they were alright.

“You’re looking for those two worthless women who attacked me before aren’t you? We’ll they’re both dead! You’ve lost, and I’ll take the victors prize. My prize will be their souls so I can torture them for all eternity!” The God of War pulled Shoken’s head to the side into view of Azia and Rita’s lifeless bodies as he spoke.

Everything slowed down for Shoken as his heart sank within his chest. Azia was gone now, and Rallos Zek was going to make sure he’d never see her soul at rest. Hundreds of memories flooded through his minds eye of Azia. There were all the bad times where she had throttled him for doing something, but they were also good times too. She’d never been overly harsh. The few times that he had been hurt he could always feel her presence at his side, even though he was deep asleep.

Shoken also saw other memories not his own. They were ones of solitude and seclusion, but in the back ground there was always Rita peeking out from some dark shadow. These didn’t belong to him at all. No they were Ryo’s memories, and in the back of his mind he heard something that was unimaginable. He could hear crying, and it wasn’t to long after that he felt something warm running down his face other than blood.

“This is the problem with this world. Mortals have such sentimental attachments to one another. Such things