MLIV C4, P6- "Mark Of The Traitor"

"Mark Of The Traitor" is the sixth and penultimate Part of "Miracula Luxia IV' 's fourth Chapter.
It was released on 28.06.2022.
== Plot ==
After the sudden attack of one of Darkthrop's best generals, Adam and his allies are left shaken by the entire experience. It is clear that the evil wizard has grown stronger than ever, lending a portion of his immense power to his servants as well. Thus, it is clear that the great is getting more and more imminent with each passing day.
With the infamous General Joseph Clarke as their prisoner, the heroes head toward World's End, only to meet Vexor- Darkthrop's closest ally and top necromancer- along the way.
Once again, Adam has to face his fears and come to terms with the harsh reality that is all around him.
WIll he survive the onslaught of emotions and ferocity and defeat one of his greatest enemies, at long last?
== Story ==
As Adam and his allies prepare to travel toward World's End, the young hero looks back at Joseph and sighs.
"Everything that we did lead us to this very moment."- He says- "I am sorry for what is happening to you, but you brought this upon yourself."
Even if Joseph could talk, he decides to stay quiet. Such a shame is too painful to bear, even for a ruthless villain like him.
"And he can't even defend himself. What a shame."- Akira says and sighs- "But it wouldn't matter if he did. The crimes that he committed are too heinous to be pardoned and too severe to be forgotten. If he deserves some kind of serious punishment, then this is the worst we can give him."
Jared nods.
"Acting against his own allies, even when it is against his own will, is something that I wish we hadn't done."- He says- "And yet, Adam is right. This man tried to end our lives, yet only managed to condemn himself. A punishment like this is the least we could do for a crime like this."
Adam stares at the road.
"I fear that this is the least that Darkthrop's forces have to send at us."- He says- "Are you ready?"
Jared nods.
"I fear no fiend, no matter how strong they may be."- He says- "Bring it on. We are ready."
As the heroes move on, a small pack of zombies shambles toward them. They are easily slain by the heroes' combined power, but soon reveal the existence of a larger group.
"It seems like those airheads have managed to form a herd."- Akira says- "How could we handle it?"
While the four of them try to devise a plan, the spell holding Joseph's mouth shut is temporarily broken. He laughs at their misery as they try to figure out how to escape from it.
"You shall never escape from my master's army."- He says- "When he gets to you, the clutches of the underworld will be the least painful thing you will ever experien-- "
Suddenly, Adam casts another freezing spell, holding Joseph's mouth in place again.
"Your opinion does not matter here. You already proved yourself to be a hopeless cause."- He says- "Just try to be a silent little rat. We will take care of you soon enough."
He looks at Linus.
"Guard him while we take care of the undead."- He says to him- "I know that it is not the best task for someone with your abilities, but we have yet to reach Darkthrop's keep. And I want you to be at your best to face him in battle."
Linus nods.
"I got it. I'm not going to go anywhere else."- He says- "Good luck, my friend."
As Adam rushes into the battle and joins his allies, Linus stares at Joseph and sighs.
"I've known you since I was forced to join Darkthrop's army. You were always the worst of them. Shame was a distant feeling for you and you never showed mercy toward your opponents. Many good people fell because of you. Many cities were burned to the ground by your ceaseless wrath."- He says- "Do you know what it feels like to lose your own home to monsters like you? Do you even dare to comprehend the magnitude of what you have been doing?!"
He lunges forward and slaps him.
"And I can do much worse than that!"- He adds- "Every slap that I deliver to you, it is well-deserved. You should never have existed in this world! Everyone would have been better of without you and your subordinates!"
As Linus lays on the grass below, Joseph glares at him. It is clear that he feels infuriated (or maybe disturbed) by Linus's vengeful attitude, but neither has the possibility, nor the inclination to correct him.
However, Linus soon manages to hear words in the air. They are coming from somewhere nearby.
"You're one of us."- The voices say- "Don't deny it."
Linus sighs.
"Sometimes, I wonder whether you'll ever be able to forgive yourself or not."- He says, ignoring the voices that try to persuade him into doing the wrong thing- "Do you even look back at what you've done? Realize how much of a monster you have been to everyone and try to make amends with the person that you've become? Or will you always remain the same, surrendering your heart to the darkness?"
He looks at into his eyes, trying to find the answer. Then, he shakes his head.
"I guess that we'll never find it out."
A few minutes later, the last of the undead fall. Adam, Akira and Jared return, joining Linus as he leads Joseph to them.
"I did as you asked."- He says to Adam- "Joseph did nothing that would harm our group."
Adam smiles and pats him on the shoulder.
"I knew that I could count on you."- He says- "Well done, my friend."
Linus looks back at the dead bodies of the monsters who tried to kill them just a few minutes ago.
"How did they find their way over here?"- He asks- "Were they... led by someone?"
Jared shrugs.
"Maybe their own intuition was the one that led them to us... or maybe it is something more sinister than that."- He says- "Either way, those creatures managed to form what we would call a small herd. Had they remained for longer than they did, it is clear that they would have attracted more undead. And then even more still. In the end, it would have become the size of a small army or, what we heroes call, a megaherd."
Linus nods.
"And if that happened, would we still be here?"
Jared shakes his head.
"I do not like thinking about such a thing when we already prevented it."- He says- "The road is clear. So, let us proceed."
The four of them step further toward World's End. However, while on the road, they face a peculiar situation.
A group of undead emerges from the bushes and swarms them.
"Another one?"- Adam says and draws his sword- "Alright then. Let us get this over with."
While the undead growl and shamble toward them, a cloaked man emerges from the shadows and smiles as he watches them.
"Well, well, well."- He says- "Look who got caught in my spiderweb of doom."
Adam takes a closer look at this new enemy and almost immediately realizes who he is.
"Vexor, you coward."- He says- "It seems like you finally came out of that hole that you made."
Vexor smiles.
"It's nice to see you too, kid."- He says- "Darkthrop asked me to take care of you personally. You should be honored."
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"Honored by what? Your cowardly attitude and feeble attempts to gain the upper hand by surrounding us with your mindless servants?"- He asks and sighs- "Face it, Vexor. You are way out of your league. If you could do us a favor, please stay out of this. You are only condemning yourself to a horrible fate."
Vexor smirks.
"Your threats don't scare me, hero."- He says- "If you really want me to back down, then show it with the power that you've gained."
Then, he smiles.
"Oh, wait."- He adds- "Most of it's already gone."
Adam shakes his head.
"I may not be as strong as I used to be, but I assure you that I am still a threat for your dark empire."- He says and points his weapon at him- "I am ready to take you down once and for all, you wicked lord of the dead. Bring it on."
Vexor smiles.
"As you wish, Adam Kaos."
Then, with a swift hand motion, he forms two undead paladins out of nowhere that stand beside him.
Adam is surprised, but not impressed by this.
"So, this is how he summons most of his minions."- He says to himself- "I knew that the undead are too slow to rise in abundance."
He looks back at the ashes of the undead they killed earlier and nods.
"Not in such a short amount of time, anyway."
As the undead warriors prepare their battleaxes and attack, Adam realizes that they are also more organized.
"Amazing... "
Vexor laughs.
"Impressive, isn't it?"- He says to him- "Those creatures of the dark are capable of behaving almost like regular humans, with a few select exceptions. And I'm going to produce them en masse, with the necromances and aethermancers that joined my side not too long ago!"
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"So, this was your plan all along."- He says- "You wanted to fool me and distract me from my true mission, just so you could continue working on your wicked plan. Is that so, my friend?"
Vexor laughs.
"Very perceptive of you!"- He exclaims- "Perhaps the great Adam Kaos- hero of the Darkthrop wars- is smarter than a box of rocks after all."
Adam wisely ignores his weak insult and instead focuses on figuring out what else he is trying to do.
"By the way, who are those aethermancers that you are speaking of?"- He asks him- "Some kind of a crazy sect of mad mages, perhaps?"
Vexor smiles.
"Not quite. Those people, they're far more than what you think."- He says- "The Aethermancers are the masters of the Spirit Realm. They're capable of travelling in and out at their own leisure. They have the ability to do whatever they want in there, undisturbed by the masters of the realm. And, most importantly, they're able of rallying hordes of ravenous spirits and sending them to assist my unstoppable undead army!"
As Vexor laughs, Adam sighs and clenches his fists.
"So, this is why Rentar-Ihrno asked for my aid back in the Spirit World."- He says to himself- "She is afraid of what those people are doing. Tired of seeing those helpless spirits being used against their own will. If there is anything that a formerly noble creature like ever hates, then it is the guilt of being unable to do anything."
Adam points his sword at Vexor.
"I will not let you take them for yourself!"- He yells- "The people in the Spirit World are free men and women. They are allowed to do whatever they want. And you are stripping them of this valuable choice! Draining them of their pride!"
Vexor smiles.
"Oh, yes?"- He says- "And what are you going to do about it, brat?"
Adam takes a step back and glares at him.
"I will show you just how vile and megalomanical you are."
He raises his sword in the air.
"I shall make you pay for capturing Aalia and Miss Emela back in Phaerzon's realm!"
Having said that, he dashes toward the approaching undead warriors, delivering several nasty strikes and jumping in the air, creating a force of energy so strong that they are instantly disintegrated.
"What is this? A challenge, all for me?"- Vexor says- "Well, this is quite the sight to see!"
Adam nods.
"And it is the last thing that you will ever see."
Vexor smiles.
"I'd like to see that with my own eyes."
Adam nods.
"I already said that to the general, so I will say it to you as well."- He says- "Be careful what you wish for, because actions could have terrible consequences."
Vexor is surprised by this.
"A general?"- He asks- "Whom are you speaking of?"
However, he is left no time to wonder as Adam attacks him almost immediately.
He leaps back and summons two large, black tendrils from the ground. They grab Adam's body and attempt to choke him.
However, the young hero is well-prepared for such a cowardly attempt to take on his life. Although he is unable to move his body, he uses the energy that still rests within to create a surge so powerful that it shatters the demonic entities into hundreds of black pieces and a pile of viscous goo.
Vexor smirks.
"So, this is the power of the legendary Adam Kaos that I've heard so many stories about."- He says- "It seems like I greatly underestimated you. Perhaps the mistake is mine, after all."
He looks up,
"But no matter."- He says- "The results shall still be the same."
As Adam attempts to strike him down with his mighty sword, Vexor leaps back and directs many small bolts of dark energy toward him.
Thinking that they will hold him off for now, he laughs.
"See, Adam?"- He says to him- "I'm much more than just a simple necromancer! I am the Lord of The Dead, the conqueror of the World of Darkness. I'm the biggest nightmare you've ever seen, the worst of the villains that you have ever faced. There is no escape from my wrath!"
However, he is soon left surprised when Adam easily breaks through his seemingly perfect barrage of little bolts of dark flare, effectively dispelling them in the process.
"What? You managed to... get through my ever-faithful flames of vengeance?!"- He exclaims- "But that's not possible! Nobody is able to live through that!"
Adam smiles.
"Nobody, except for us."
Moments later, his face gets serious again.
"But tell me, Vexor."- He says- "If you claim to be such a powerful and unbeatable villain, do you happen to have some kind of a story behind those actions? Surely, there is something that you have been hiding from us all along."
Vexor sighs.
"I guess you're smart enough to figure this out, huh?"- He asks- "Very well, then. I suppose that you can know how I ended up like this."
As Vexor begins to speak, shadows begin to dance all around him. Adam suspects an ambush, but soon realizes that they are nothing more than harmless motes of dark energy that originate from Vexor's tainted soul.
"Decades and decades ago, I was born in a family of runaways. They were escaping from a conflict between the forces of light and darkness within the northern regions of the world and have always been afraid to talk about it, even with people as close as me. I grew up in fear, hated by everyone just because I originated from those lands. I was never trusted as a result and I walked the lands of your people, insulted and fearful of what had become of humanity in the past century. How they came to see talented people like me."- He says- "Everything was going well for me, though. I had managed to learn all kinds of powerful magic, mentally trained myself in the arts of the ancients and managed to conquer my worst fears in nothing more than the blink of an eye. I was expected to be at the top of my class when I graduated and my accomplishments were going to prove what the others were saying... provided that I stayed there for longer than I did, that is. I was fascinated by the dark arts the most, for they were my greatest cure in times like those. But the fear of the people all around me, it was too great to try to get over. Too omnipresent to avoid. And it all became much worse after... the incident. And I am, of course, talking about the time when I learned that my parents were killed while trying to help some crazy scientists perform an unspeakable experiment of some sort."
He clenches his fists.
"And that's how I came to be like this."- He says- "Those cowardly creatures were killed by my hand eventually, but the hatred of humanity still remains. And it will always be the same, as long as you fools walk on the earth that we deserve so much."
Adam nods.
"I sympathyze with your struggles, but this is not the right way to comprehend them."- He says- "You are speaking of the destruction of humanity, yet you are a human yourself. Do you not see how much your fellow citizens of the world have been suffering? If so, maybe you should change your views of them altogether."
Vexor shakes his head.
"No. I can't do it. I'm not meant to be part of them."- He says- "Darkthrop is the only one who saw my potential. He welcomed me in his lands once I revived him and helped me realize how to best use my powers. I owe him a lot, so I'm not going to betray him."
Adam sighs.
"And yet, you are deemed a traitor by everyone else."
Vexor nods.
"Fine by me."- He says- "As long as Darkthrop's still out there, I don't care what anyone else thinks of me."
Suddenly, his eyes grow wider as he prepares to bring forth a powerful spell.
"And I don't care what happens to any of you!"- He exclaims- "You're all dead to me!"
Adam sighs.
"You were never a human being to begin with."- He mutters- "Taking care of you will be a blessing for your wicked, pitch black soul."
He draws his sword.
"As you wish, Vexor."- He says- "I will not rest until you are defeated."
Vexor laughs.
"Show me what you've got, Adam Kaos!"
As Adam leaps forward and attempts to strike him down, Vexor uses his chaotic magic to teleport himself somewhere nearby. Then, when Adam finds him again, he smiles and quickly teleports somewhere else."
"This is getting way too familiar."- Adam says to himself as he makes his way toward the necromancer again.
On the third time, Vexor laughs.
"I can see the despair in your eyes... and I like it!"- He exclaims- "Come on! Show some more initiative! Try to catch me... if you can!"
Adam shakes his head.
"Do not count me out just yet."- He says- "Just because you are faster than me, it does not mean that you will be able to run away for long."
Vexor smiles.
"Then prove it."- He says- "Show me how wrong I really am. Unleash your incredible power and end my existence, if it's what the world depends upon."
And then, with a single snap of his hand, he vanishes and leaves two large, mean-looking undead warriors in his place.
Adam looks around and sighs.
"His magic is indeed very powerful, but like Joseph, it is too chaotic to help him go very far without a serious use of the pools of power within his mind."- He says to himself- "This means that he has not gone very far away from here. Or so I like to hope."
After slaying the two fiendish creatures with ease, he turns to his allies and shakes his head.
"I must find Vexor as soon as possible, but it should be just me. Taking any of you will be very dangerous."- He says- "Guard Joseph until I return. Then, we shall decide what to do with him."
Jared and Akira try to stop him, but soon realize that he has already chosen his own destiny. Ultimately, they decide to let him go.
"Be careful, Adam."- Akira says- "We'll be here if you need us."
As the young hero prepares to leave, however, an ominous laughter is heard from somewhere nearby. At the same time, the bonds that hold Joseph in place finally wear off, allowing him to move again.
Realizing this, Linus attempts to stop him, but the evil general manages to push him away and take his weapon.
"Adam, look out!"- He yells as Joseph pounces on him.
Suddenly, the man lands on top of Adam and attempts to strangle him to death.
"Nobody makes a fool out of Joseph Clarke!"- He yells- "Nobody!"
However, Adam manages to easily roll away and strike back, slashing his right eye in the process and creating a painful-looking scar.
And yet, this is not enough to take him down. As soon as he is hurt, Joseph only gets more furious, channeling his anger through his attacks and easily throwing Adam to the ground.
As he points his blade at the seemingly helpless hero, he smirks and shakes his head.
"You brought this upon yourself, hero."- He says to him- "You should've stayed in that little town of yours, like a happy little sheep. You were supposed to be oblivious of what was destined to happen, yet your friends were foolish enough to tell you of it."
He shakes his head again.
"Maybe if you remained in the shadows, everything would've been different."- He says- "I should say that I'm sorry, but I'm not. Now, prepare to see the end of your care-- "
Suddenly, he notices a sword in the side of his chest. Too late, he realizes that he has been outsmarted by the rest of his allies.
"Argh!"- He exclaims as he collapses on his knees.
Adam stands up and aims his bow at him. He stares into his eyes, hoping to find some signs of humanity left in his soul.
However, he soon realizes that there is nothing of it. Ever since he joined Darkthrop's army, he willingly let go of everything that he once had.
"What a complete waste of time."- He says to himself, sighs and shakes his head- "And I hoped that we could have persuaded him into acting against his master."
Without any hesitation, he aims the bow at his skull and shoots a single, accurate arrow, killing him on the spot.
Akira approaches him and shakes her head.
"When one becomes a traitor, it's hard for them to let go of their selfish desires. Betraying humankind like that must have been hard, but I'm sure that it was a long time since he got over it."- She says- "Well done, Adam. He deserved to be punished like this. In my humble opinion, it was the least we could do for his crimes."
Adam nods and stares at a nearby black tower.
"And now, it is time to take on the terror of the world himself."
Using his incredible speed, he manages to get past the groups of undead that are trying to hunt him down, jumping on one of the walls of the tower and preparing to climb.
However, he soon realizes that it is too slippery to do so.
"I should have known that."- He says- "Vexor must be well prepared for this."
He shakes his head.
"But it does not matter!"- He continues- "No matter what he tries to do to stop me, I shall still prevail!"
Then, without thinking twice, he puts his hands on the wall and prepares to climb again.
Many times, he slips back to the ground below. But then, he climbs back. And he climbs again. He does not stop, even when everything seems to be impossible for him. And it is because he holds the soul of a hero, of a valiant warrior who is not afraid of a challenge and faces it with a clear heart and mind.
"I can do this!"- He says- "I will make it!"
And then, he grabs the walls even harder and climbs again. His muscles may be aching and screaming for him to stop, but his heart hasn't given out yet. Whatever it takes, he will make it on the top.
Eventually, his incredible efforts are rewarded with success. He reaches the end of the tower and stares down at the area below.
When he sees that his allies are cheering for him, he smiles.
"Thank you, everyone."- He says to himself- "I will make you proud. I promise."
Then, he turns to Vexor, who is standing on the other side- dumbfounded to the core.
"I knew that you were a strong one, but I never imagined that you'd so something spectacular like this!"- He exclaims- "Even though I'm your enemy, I have to say that I'm impressed. The way you faced your fears without a drop of insecurity was... surreal, at the very least."
Adam smiles.
"This is the true power of the Kaos family."- He says- "Even when we have to back down, we still get back up. No matter how many times you try to end our existence, we shall always rise from the ashes. As long as there are people who believe in what we do, then I have no doubt that we can still rise again."
Vexor smiles.
"And that's why it'll be my greatest test to erase you from existence."- He says- "Defeating Adam Kaos with my own hands will be an honor more valuable that bags of diamonds and gold."
Adam is exhausted, but he is still able to draw his weapon and match the gaze of his opponent with his own.
"Then, this is it. The true proof of existence, revealed to the light by two combatants who fight for their own people."- He says- "Alright, Vexor. This is the final battle between you and me. If you really are the necromancer I have heard so many stories about, then this is the right time to show me what you have learned."
Vexor nods.
"I'm ready to end you, Adam."- He says- "Bring it on."
Adam nods and prepares to attack.
"May the best warrior win."
As the young hero shields himself with a barrier of pure light, Vexor summons two more large, undead warriors. However, Adam manages to strike them, throwing his sacred weapon at them like a large boomerang and sending them flying toward the ground below.
Vexor grits his teeth.
"You're so persistent."- He says- "Why won't you simply back down?"
Adam shakes his head.
"True heroes never back down."- He says- "We fight until the end. And nothing will ever snuff out our desires for a better world."
Vexor sighs.
"Then maybe you should check your eyesight, because you're not seeing the elephant in the room."
Adam nods.
"I am seeing everything."- He says- "You are the one who has gone too blind."
Vexor shakes his head.
"Enough!"- He exclaims- "Let's finish this, here and now!"
Adam nods.
"I agree."- He says- "This is the end. But for who shall it be?"
Adam lunges forward as Vexor summons more undead from nothingness to attack him. But the young hero manages to kill them in nothing more than the blink of an eye, forcing the necromancer to summon even more of them.
And yet, the evil man's powers are seemingly limitless. His hordes are likely infinite. Thus, the only way to defeat the creatures... is to eliminate their master first.
Adam manages to strike down the undead who are shambling toward him, but he is soon forced to fight more. And more.
Soon, the horde becomes too unbearable to take care of, so Adam decides to focus his attention on the necromancer instead.
Using the power of fire within his soul, he is able to unleash a firestorm so strong that it burns the undead to a crisp.
"Oh! I got it!"- Adam says to himself- "The undead are weak against fire and light! Perhaps this is my key to victory!"
Vexor laughs.
"Your faith may be strong and endless, but is it enough to beat my ultimate, undead army?"
Adam nods.
"I shall beat it down anytime and anyday, creature of the dark!"
Vexor grins.
"That's what I'm counting on!"- He exclaims- "You'll be the perfect meal for those ravenous souls! They shall be thankful for what I'm offering them!"
He makes a chopping motion with his hand.
"Make him feel your wrath, my pretties!"- He says and laughs maniacally.
The undead growl and shamble toward Adam, now more determined and inclined to take him down that they have ever been.
And yet, the young hero has finally learned their weakness. Stepping back a little bit, he manages to strengthen his barrier of light, incinerating the incoming undead as they get close to it and attempt to break it down.
"Do you see this, Vexor?"- He says to the necromancer- "Your undead servants may be dangerous, but the power of light is able to help me get through anything!"
Vexor clenches his fists and shakes his head.
"A few undead won't matter."- He says- "Do you really think that this is the only thing I could do. If so, I'm eager to prove you wrong!"
Then, with a single motion of his hand, he surrounds Adam with the hands of the fallen, who slowly claw their way toward his feet.
Adam tries to strike them down, but soon realizes that they are firmly attached to the surface. Bringing an end to them will require much more power than he had anticipated.
"I dare you to survive this, hero!"
It takes a while for Adam to figure out a good strategy to use against his new opponents. Trial and error aside, the key to defeating them seems to be to confuse them as they attack.
As the hands attempt to grab the young hero by the feet, he manages to get away, forcing them to grab another incoming hand instead. The first hand tries to pull itself away, but its grip is too strong to ever let go.
Soon, he also does the same to the rest of the hands, making them helpless and harmless in the process.
"In what kind of world would that ever work?"- Vexor says in disbelief- "No matter. You still have me to take care of."
Adam nods.
"Then bring it on."
Vexor draws a pair of vicious-looking kamas and lunges toward his opponent, striking with ferocity that is quite unusual for his kind.
"Hah!"- He exclaims- "I bet you didn't expect me to fight like this, huh?"
Adam shakes his head.
"I have seen much worse than you."
As Adam is forced to back down due to Vexor's incredible speed and accuracy, he unknowingly steps close to the edge of the black tower. Once there, the necromancer manages to trip him, taking the moment of surprise to attempt to stab him with his kamas.
However, the young hero is far from gone. He manages to roll to the left, forcing Vexor to plunge his weapons into the cold ground below instead, leaving him only with the black magic at his disposal.
"In the end, everything falls apart. Friendships. Hope. Faith. Even family does not last forever."- He says to Adam- "Surrender your soul to me and you shall soon realize that I am right. There's nothing that you can do. You... are... doomed."
Adam shakes his head.
"You will never... win... this fight."- He gasps- "As long as there is a light that shines in the sky, there is... no way I will ever surrender to the likes of you."
Vexor smiles.
"There is no hope for redemption left, kid."- He says- "I mean, look at what kind of precarious situation you've unwillingly stepped into. Even Alcander would've given up by now."
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"Al?"- He says- "You... know my brother?"
Vexor smirks.
"Oh yes. Very good soul, he was. Would have been the perfect meal for my undead army, if he didn't have those other fools to back him up."- He says- "It's a shame that he's not around to witness what's happening to his dear, righteous brother."
Adam gasps.
"What do you mean?"
Vexor smiles mischievously.
"You shall find out soon enough."- He says- "If you live."
Then, he lunges forward and grabs Adam by the neck. He forces him to stand next to the edge of the tower.
Adam watches in horror as his eyes turn pitch black, showing all of the malice that was once hidden from the world.'
"There is only one king of the world!"- Vexor yells- "And that's me!"
Then, without hesitation, he throws him off the tower and watches as he slowly descends.
However, Adam refuses to simply die alone. If he is meant to perish, then it shall be on his own terms. Thus, it is no surprise that he uses a rope of pure light energy, wrapping it around Vexor's feet and forcing him to fall down alongside him.
"You reckless child!"- Vexor exclaims- "You know that this won't save you, right?"
Adam shakes his head.
"Even as I fall, I am still eager to do the right thing."
As the two of them continue to fall, they resume their fight, eager to take the upper hand fall somewhere safe.
However, Adam manages to push Vexor's kamas out of his hands. Then he forces him to fall somewhere else, on the rocky ground below.
"Farewell, Vexor."- He says as he watches him fall- "We shall never see each other again."
As he looks down, he realizes that it shall be the end of him as well. He sighs as he reminisces all of the happy moments that he spent with the people closest to him.
"I am sorry, everyone. I am sorry for being so weak, so foolish."- He says- "Please, defeat Darkthrop for me. My time in the world is almost up... "
Then, he closes his eyes, anticipating the fall.
Expecting to wake up somewhere else, he opens them a few seconds later, but soon realizes that he is still in the real world.
"What?"- He says- "I am... still here?"
Then, he looks back and realizes that his father and Akira are holding him still. It is more than clear enough that they managed to save him from falling, risking their own safety in the process.
"Dad? Aki?"- He says- "Why did you do this? Why did you save me?"
Akira smiles.
"Because you're the dearest thing we've ever had, little brother."- She says- "Without you, nothing would ever be the same. We made a promise to keep you alive, so here we are, standing tall against the clutches of doom itself, just to give you a better future."
Jared nods.
"It is the least we could do for a great hero like you."- He says- "You do not deserve to die in such a humiliating way, son. You deserve better, much better."
As Adam looks back, he realizes that Vexor has survived as well. However, he was not lucky enough to be caught by anyone, being mortally wounded as he fell on the rocks behind him.
And his blood is still there, dark and viscous. A sign of a truly wicked entity, devoid of any true emotion, drying on the rock and wasting away for centuries to come.
"Not bad, Adam."- Vexor gasps as he slowly gets closer- "You're almost as good as Alcander. Pity that you'll end up just like him, sooner or later."
Adam raises his eyebrow and draws his weapon.
"What are you talking about, you madman?!"- He yells- "Al is still out there! He is still fighting for the good of this world! If there is anyone who would end up dead, then that shall be you!"
Vexor smiles.
"Believe whatever you want, but the truth ain't going nowhere."- He says- "Yes. Alcander is gone. And I was the one who ended his pitiful life!"
Adam falls on his knees. His eyes get wide as he tries to comprehend what is going on.
"No. This is just another lie of yours."- He says, shaking his head- "Al is still alive. He has never given up. You are just trying to distract me, to make me weak."
Vexor smiles.
"If I were actually lying to you, then would I be able to show you this?"
Then, he presents a small piece of cloth- undoubtedly originating from Alcander's body, as well as a fragment from his legendary sword.
Adam recognizes them immediately. He looks back at his father and Akira, horrified.
"No! This is not true!"- He says, still refusing to believe in the truth- "Please tell me that this is not what he means! Please, spare my soul from this misery! I beg you!"
Akira looks down and, with immense guilt in her soul, shakes her head.
"I'd like to tell you otherwise, dear brother. I'd like to hug you and tell you that he's still out there. I want to show you that everything is alright."- She says- "But that is not to be. Unfortunately, Alcander is no more. Our dear brother... has perished in battle."
Adam looks at the sky. Tears fall from his eyes as he grabs his head and screams in disbelief.
"Al! AL!"- He yells- "No! Why... WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO US?!"
He covers his face with his eyes and starts to cry.
"Forgive me, Al. I am so sorry that it was not there for you."- He says- "I love you, brother. I... I... "
Suddenly, his unstoppable grief turns into burning fury. He stands up, grabs his weapon and glares at Vexor with wild eyes.
"You. You were the one who is responsible for this!"- He screams- "I will not let you get away easily! I WILL TEAR YOU APART!"
Vexor attempts to run, but the wound inflicted to him by Alcander is still very painful to him. He falls on his knees and is soon caught by Adam.
The young hero channels an incredible amount of fire magic, previously unseen within him, and uses it to burn Vexor to a crisp.
"Die, Vexor!"- He screams- "Die! DIE!"
Then, he realizes something. Even if he kills Vexor now, his death will be far too painless.
Thus, he decides to stop. The flames in his hands vanish as soon as be backs down.
"No. This is not it. This is not the right way to take care of a monster like you."- He mutters- "You deserve worse!"
And then, as his allies watch, he uses his mastery of light magic to crystalize a large part of Vexor's body.
But the crystalline punishment does not stop there. Like an fire in a burning forest, it creeps its way toward the other parts of the evil necromancer's body, immobilizing him. Bit by bit, he slowly loses his ability to move, let alone speak.
"This is not the end, Adam Kaos!"- Vexor mumbles- "Darkthrop will... will... "
Adam shakes his head and crystalizes his mouth, leaving him completely helpless.
"Keep your mouth shut!"- He yells- "You are responsible for many heinous crimes, but what you did back there deserves much more than I could give you."
He enchants his weapon with the power of both light and fire, making it illuminate the night like a shining candle.
"You were never meant to exist, Vexor!"- He yells- "And I shall correct the world's mistake... with my own hands!"
Then, he unleashes his unquestioned fury toward Vexor, shattering his entire body to pieces and angrily slicing them until there is almost nothing left of him.
And just like that, Vexor- greatest necromancer of Darkthrop's army and leader of its mighty undead- has fallen in battle, never to return.
But Adam does not stop there. He continues to stomp whatever is left of Vexor again. And again. And again.
Seeing that her brother is close to losing his sanity, Akira runs forward and hugs him, preventing him from doing anything else.
"Brother, please! Leave him be!"- She exclaims- "He's already gone!"
Adam shakes his head.
"Leave me to my suffering, Aki."- He says- "I want to end it."
Akira shakes her head.
"This is not the right way, Adam!"- She yells- "Al is gone, but he is not gone forever! Please, do not lose all hope that you have, just because he is-- "
Adam lightly pushes her away and shakes his head.
"Alright. I got it."- He says and sighs- "I will stop, but only because you want it."
Then, he falls on his knees and starts to cry again.
"Al is gone! Gone!"- He exclaims- "And it is all my fault! Darkthrop distracted me for far too long. I should have... should have been... "
Jared approaches his son and hugs him. Akira does the same.
"It seems like we have yet to face a darker age."- Jared says to himself- "Alcander, my dear, special boy, is not among the living anymore. With him gone, our future is looking much worse. The lights in the sky are getting more bleak with each passing day. I do not know how I could convince Adam to continue fighting. He is the last light of this world, the last protector of this world from evil."
He smiles sadly, tears falling from his eyes.
"But I know that we can do it."- He says confidently- "For the sake of my son, we shall prevail in this fight, no matter what we have to face yet. And I shall always stand by my family's side. Forever."