Struggle For Survival

 

            “Get up father,” Silver pleaded.

            “I told you he couldn’t win,” Sparow found great amusement in watching his arch enemy fail.

            “Father, you can’t give up,” Silver ignored Sparow. “You must get up and fight.”

            A pleasant laughter was heard not far behind them, “I’m quite surprised the great hero would give up so easily.”

          “White Phantom?” Shade questioned as the old man walked into the room.

            “Hello old friend,” White Phantom extended his hand towards Shade. “You should listen to your son, never give up.”

            “Yes you are right,” Shade put back on his mask, and with the help of White Phantom got back on his feet. “I gave up on life too easily in my past life, but my father sacrificed himself to give me a second chance, the least I can do for him is to defeat him and send him back to the afterlife so he can rest in peace…Say White Phantom, you wouldn’t have any suggestions on how to beat him, would you?”

            White Phantom laughed again, “You never could do much without your sword.”

            “Yes father, take your sword and defeat Spell Master,” Silver offered his sword to Shade, the same sword Shade used in his past life.

          Shade shook his head, “No, that was my past life. I do not wish to be remind of my failure in my past life.”

            “Use this,” White Phantom handed a small wooden object to Shade.

            “What’s this?” Shade questioned as he examined the strange writing on the wooden object.

            “It’s called the Blue Saber,” White Phantom explained. “It’s an ancient relic that allowed a person’s spirit energy to create a sword.”

            “Oh,” Shade said blankly.

            “Use it to destroy Spell Master’s book, that is the source of his power. Without the book Spell Master will no long be able to keep his physical form. We will provide a distraction for you, so Raven won’t interfere.”

            “We?” Silver questioned.

            “Love!” Sapphire rushed up and wrapped her arms around Silver.

            Ruby was not far behind her sister, although she knew better to show the same kind of affection towards Sparow. Instead Ruby just smiled, seeing Sparow on his feet.

            “If you guys are done with your family reunion,” Raven cruel voice spoke up, “You might want to start saying your goodbyes.”

            The sound of Spell Master’s spell book’s pages filled the air as they rapidly flipped on their own producing a large ice crystal, large enough to crush everyone in the room. The sound of the book eventually silenced, causing the large ice crystal to rapidly fall towards the earth towards Sparow and the group.

            The ice crystal was met in midair by a large blast of fire. It was Ruby who was using her magic to melt the giant ice crystal. However her power was not enough, although the crystal was slowly melting, it was still descending through the fire, and still big enough to crush them all.

            “Sis, I could use your help,” Ruby said in strained voice, using so much of her magic was quickly draining her.

            “Fine,” Sapphire kissed her husband on the lips, “I’ll be right back.”

            Sapphire joined her sister at her side and used her wind magic to further fan Ruby’s flames. Soon the fire had melted the ice crystal enough for Sapphire’s wind magic to push the crystal back up, eventually crashing through the cave ceiling.

Amidst the falling rocks, Sparow hear the sound of two swords clashing. Sparow followed the sound of the noise to see Raven using his large sword to block the blade of White Phantom.

“Another feeble old man,” Raven used his large sword to push White Phantom back.

It was then Sparow understood their plan, as the two sisters worked together to defeat Spell Master’s magic, White Phantom used the distraction to sneak up on raven and attack. A brilliant strategy, but Raven was smarter then White Phantom guessed and saw the sneak attack coming.

The sound of Spell Master’s book came to life again as he began battle with the two sisters. At the same time Shade and Silver huddled, debating on the best plan of action. Sparow ignored them all and instead concentrated on Raven, whom had White Phantom backed into a corner.

            “Tell me, White Phantom said, obviously trying to buy time, “why are you so intent on destroying Silver and Sparow?”

            Raven laughed, “I know you are trying to buy time, but it won’t help, you’ll all be dead soon. But if you truly want to know why I want the two brothers dead, it’s a simple answer, they both have a great potential to be even more powerful then Spell Master, if given time to mature.  “

            “What will you do once you kill them?”

            “With the brothers out of the way, there will be no one to stop me from taking over the world.”

            White Phantom laughed, “Why do all psychopath’s desire world conquest?”

            “Call me what you want, but at least I have the means to do so,” Raven motioned towards Spell Master.

            Sparow followed Raven’s eyesight where Spell Master was standing over the bodies of Sapphire and Ruby, both exhausted from over using their magic.

            “Now old man,” Raven spoke again, “Just like my old man, you will pay dearly for your failure.”

            Sparow had to do something, if Raven killed Raven, he be free of distraction, and ready to counter any surprise attack on Spell Master. That would mean Spell Master would win and destroying Shade once and for all, that was Sparow’s kill! With blinding quickness Sparow rushed over and blocked Raven’s sword just in time to save White Phantom’s life. The force of the blow caused Sparow to drop to one knee.

            “You again?” Raven snatched Sparow by the collar, and lifted him high into the air. “You are like a little cockroach whom just won’t die.”

            Sparow responded by spitting in Raven’s face.

            “Cute… perhaps if I rip out your heart, you lose some of that fight in you,” Raven reared his free metal claw back.

            Sparow smiled.

            “What are you smiling about?”

            “I knew I couldn’t beat you in my condition. I only wanted to distract you,” Sparow’s eyes shifted towards Silver.

            Silver had rushed over to check on Sapphire. He rose with a new fire in his eyes, “You will pay for harming my wife! Twin Dragons!”

            “That trick again?” Raven questioned. “Spell Master can handle that.”

            As if on cue, a large wave of water appeared and swallowed the dragons, before continuing on towards Silver.

            “Hate to say I told you so,” Raven reared his claw back again.

            “Just watch,” Sparow smiled.

            The waves started to part and a glimmer of blue was seen. It was Shade, who was using his protective blue dome, to cut his way through the large wave of water, as he neared Spell Master the Blue Saber came to life, producing a long blue cutting edge. Before Spell Master could counter attack, the blade cut through Spell Master’s book.

            “Impossible,” Raven dropped Sparow in disbelief.

            Sparow watched as the powerful Spell Master dissolved into ashes. White Phantom was correct without his spell book; the mighty wizard call from the afterlife could no long keep his form.

            “You have lost,” Sparow said as he got back up on his feet to face Raven.

            Raven smiled, “A smart man knows when to retreat.”

            Without saying another word, Raven stepped back into the shadows and disappeared.

            “It’s over,” White Phantom joined Sparow by his side. “Without his puppet Raven will no longer terrorize your are your brother.”

            “You did it brother,” Silver rushed up to join Sparow and White Phantom.

            Sparow frowned, “Where’s Shade?”

            They all looked back to where Shade was standing but he was nowhere to be seen.

            “He’s gone,” Silver said sadly,

            “Damn!”

            “I’m sure he is very proud of both of you. You worked together to defeat your most powerful enemy to date,” White Phantom smiled. “Now let’s go home.”

 

            The brothers have not only saved themselves but also the entire world. They are well on their way on reaching their potential Raven spoke of. Shade has vanished, having served his cause; he leaves it up to his sons to protect the world from now on. Raven had retreated, admitting his defeat. The world is safe… but for how long?

 

                                                                                                            To be continued…