Storm of Light

By Ryan Ouellette

Calen had been told by everyone he would defeat the Dark Lord Katar. Everyone said he was worthy, but now—especially now—he questioned it.

A blade flew at him, and he twisted to one side, escaping with only a nick on his cheek. As Katar’s dark figure leapt over him, he extended his arm, defending himself with an intense bolt of golden lightning.

A pale shield grew from Katar’s arm while he plummeted downward. Calen dove out of the way as the corrupted elf crashed to the ground, sending dust and rocks flying.

Maniacal laughter echoed through the spacious cavern. “You fight well, boy!” The Dark Lord rose to his full height. “But you fight for a lost cause!”

Calen rose to his feet. “It will only be lost when I’m dead.”

“Then you will be buried under the rubble of this world!” Writhing tendrils shot from Katar’s hands, forming pale scythes at the ends. He slammed them into the cavern floor, sending sparks and rubble into the air.

Calen’s wraith companion, Auris, spoke in his head. I don’t know how we can defeat him. If he manages to reach the Core—the world’s source of life—he’ll corrupt it, and we’ll all die.

Calen drew two cylindrical devices from his belt. “We’ve endured too much to give up!” Channeling his lightning into them, he ignited the cylinders, forming two golden blades. Lightning fulgurated through the cave, followed by a crack of thunder.

Katar yanked his blades from the ground, tearing up the cave floor. The whole cavern shook as Calen glanced around, looking for an opening.

No matter how many Aberrations Calen had fought in the years since he’d fused with a wraith—they never failed to disgust him. Their Dark Lord was no exception.

Everything we know about Katar indicates he favors melee attacks—not ranged.

“So then why have we only seen ranged from him?”

Silence filled Calen’s mind momentarily. He’s wearing us down.

“Then it’s time to get in close. I need some extra speed.”

An aura of lightning crackled around him as he took off and dashed up the cave wall. Calen leapt from the wall and dodged a pale spike hurtling toward him. He sailed through the air, gripping his sabers parallel to each other.

Katar’s hand rapidly morphed into a pale greatsword blade, anchored to his arm by ebony tendrils. He shifted his stance and braced himself.

Calen rocketed toward Katar, positioning his right blade in front. Bone met lightning as the two warriors clashed. But much to Calen’s surprise, his swords didn’t cut into the Aberration’s unholy blade one bit.

Katar grinned triumphantly. “You underestimate the power of darkness.”

“Yeah? And what’s so good about darkness?” Calen grimaced under the weight of the large blade, pushing back. His aura flared brighter.

He was once a soul full of pure, white light. But then a foul darkness corrupted him. Once, he could have turned back… Now he’s beyond saving. Calen, this is why only you can defeat him. Your soul has the same light his once had.

Calen didn’t respond. Auris knew what he was thinking.

There was no other way.

“Foolish human. The universe was born in light, but darkness existed before light. It’s time to return the universe to the primordial night. It’s the natural order.” Katar thrust his weight into Calen, breaking the lock.

Calen stumbled back as his blades extinguished. Katar swung for his head. Calen ducked, found his footing, and tackled Katar, sending a surge of electricity into the elf.

Flesh sizzled as Katar howled and thrashed, but Calen retained a death grip.

Agony erupted in Calen’s chest as a blade impaled him. His grip went slack and blood poured from his torso. He barely noticed being kicked off the blade.

Calen!

“Auris…” Calen lay on his back, blood trickling from his mouth.

No! I won’t let you die!

He’d fought Katar, and he’d lost. “It’s okay… It’s over… I did everything I could.”

No, it’s not! We can draw power from the Core to end this!

“It’s too… late…”

It’s not!

“Look at you.” Katar loomed over him. “The one destined—chosen, even—to defeat me, now bleeding out in this God-forsaken cave.” He raised his blade. “You’ve proved yourself to be a man, but that’s all you are.”

The Core is just beneath the floor! Reach for its energy and connect with it!

Calen focused on the energy lurking beneath the ground. His ebbing life rapidly returned, keeping his fatality at bay. He drew the energy nearer, and new life swelled in his heart.

Your aura is white! Triumph filled Auris’s voice.

Something flashed over him, and he swiftly rolled out of the way and onto his feet, just as Katar’s blade dug into the earth.

“You’re right. I am just a man, and I always will be—even if I can cheat death.” He ignited his swords. “Whoever comes out alive won’t be you.”

With fresh speed, Calen flew at the elf. When their blades met, Calen deflected with one and thrust the other into the Katar’s chest.

Yanking it out, he straightened as the Dark Lord fell to his knees.

Calen stared into the cold eyes of his enemy as he positioned his blades around Katar’s neck in an X. “You’re a person too—just like me—but you chose the wrong path.” He paused. “I can’t let your choices destroy my world.”

He yanked his swords apart, leaving Katar’s neck a stump. His body crumpled.

Calen extinguished his swords as the strength drained from his flesh. Blood flowed freely through his wound again.

I wish I could’ve helped more, but your body could only channel the Core’s energy for a short time… Auris’s usual stoicism held a hint of sadness.

“But… I won. It’s… it’s over…” Calen dropped to the floor. His weapons fell from his grip.

It is… I’m sorry, Calen. Goodbye.

“It’s okay. Goodbye, Auris.” With those words, Calen finally let himself rest.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ryan Ouellette is a self-taught author and a hopeless Spider-Man fanboy. When he’s not following rabbit trails to imaginary worlds, he’s either playing with the dogs, burning brain cells to get through high school, or working on the family farm on the outskirts of Prattville, Alabama.

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