Spirit of Mages: Rift of Chaos, #2

By AJ Martinez

The chase continues as Akielas tries to find the remnants of the dragon gods before the Specters do. Two of his friends have already fallen to the Specters and the chaos rages on. The burden grows on Akielas's shoulder and now he seeks help from a demigod who lives in a city in the sky. 
Akielas believes that only Caim, the demigod, can put an end to the Specters but the demigod is reluctant. While Akielas tries to coax Caim, his friends seek ancient power and lost magic. 
Although his allies share his struggle, Akielas fears that the Specters are far too powerful with two remnants of the gods in their hands and two more close to their reach.

Check out Book One: Sin of Mages

An epic fantasy series. Final Fantasy meets Game of Thrones. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Summon Sphere
• Release date: Sep 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781640083035

AJ Martinez

Hello there my name is A.J. Martinez and I am a fantasy author living in the state of Connecticut USA. I walk with my head as high as the clouds and my feet on the ground. I am on a journey to become a full time writer and do nothing but write novels of warriors, mages, lore, magic, summons and unspeakable mystical powers. These stories in my head are trying to find a way to manifest and writing its the way to bring the world of Odealeous to life. My desire is to write fantasy stories that will make one soar with the wings of Icarus. To write heart pounding stories to make one wish that the pages will never end. To write stories in a world beyond Hogwarts and Middle Earth and on to the world of Odealeous. To write stories that make one think of the stars of the night during daylight. Stories that make one see rare colors and hear sweet songs only the sirens sing by a glowing river. To tell stories where the arts of the mystic and dragons seem as though they had gone extinct. I write what I dream about and dream so that I can write. I am quite a geek and I am a big time Anime fan. I enjoy going to conventions with my friends and rave parties. My favorite movie is “the matrix” I never get tire of watching it. That is a short summary of me. Sorry, I am better at describing my stories and characters than myself. Any questions don’t hesitate to contact me.

Book preview

Map of Odealeous

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Tablet and contents

Ganicus

Auron

Akielas

Caim

Rey Ling

Akielas

Ember

Caim

Auron

Akielas

Eckxio

Auron

Akielas

Rey Ling

Caim

Auron

Akielas

Eckxio

Willow

Rey Ling

Eckxio

Willow

Ember

Akielas

Caim

Rey Ling

Eckxio

Willow

Caim

Auron

Akielas

Caim

Eckxio

Akielas

Ember

Ganicus

In Oba Oasis the prince walked through the market district with Auron by his side and four scorpion soldiers guarding him. The sun blazed, his forehead sweated and his dreadlocks rubbed against his cheeks. People bowed to the prince as he walked by. Women yelled trying to get his attention, but he paid them no mind. He was rushing to the palace where his father, King Oba Mahamuth, waited. Little did his father know that Ganicus was returning home so soon. Just two days ago he had joined Akielas on a quest to defeat the Specters, the white masked nemeses who had been causing havoc throughout Odealeous.

Ganicus stared at the palace solemnly; it dwarfed all other buildings in the capital city. Domed buildings made of cement, clay, adobe, granite and marble stones. Palm trees lined the cobbled streets. Children ran around playing with a knitted ball. Peddlers shouted selling their merchandise. Married women walked fully covered, only revealing their eyes. The people of Zolan looked like their prince with dreadlocks and tanned skin; some wore turbans and had walrus mustaches. Most of the city was of an ivory color. Its streets white, and its people covered in colorful garments and full of life.

Today Ganicus had many things storming his mind. After hearing Akielas’s story he had decided to return to his country and visit his father. Just a day ago he was in Donkor Village which was turned to ruins by Hertha, a member of the Specters. Now he was in the capital city to confront his father. He would finally squeeze the truth out of the king. I have the right to know, the prince thought.

Akielas, the man who created the monsters called the Specters, the masked group of four villains trying to rid the world of magic. Akielas, the man who had helped him improve his magical abilities two years ago and the man who had brainwashed his father. Ever since Akielas had told the truth about his past, Ganicus felt apprehensive being part of the fellowship that would defeat the masked fiends. If he is the one who started this, if he is the one responsible, then how can I be so sure that he has truly changed his ways? I have a feeling that he is the one who gave my father the idea of using kaminyte, but for what?

What is bothering you boy? Auron asked. You have not spoken much since we left Akielas’s sanctum. Why don’t you tell me what is on your mind? Why don’t you share your thoughts about Master Akielas?

Ganicus always felt uncomfortable around Auron. The man was just too forward and always felt like he was mentally spying on him. Do you honestly want to hear what I really think about Akielas? The prince replied.

I am waiting, Auron responded.

They both stopped and the scorpion guards did as well. The four masked soldiers faced away from the prince as he spoke with Auron.

Think about it. Akielas is responsible for the Specters. Does it not bother you that it was his original plan to rid the world of magic? The very reason why those masked ghouls attacked my city was because of him. What he had planned ten or twenty years ago, these masked monsters are still following it. I am sure Akielas regrets what he did in the past, however, I feel like I can’t fully trust him. He is still hiding something. Maybe I am just pondering too much, yet it is hard to trust a man who keeps too many secrets. Gazing up at the clear blue sky, the sun stung his eyes causing a tear to stream down his cheek. He looked back at Auron. The red haired man frowned with his eyes closed. Don’t you have anything to say? Ganicus asked.

Yes, Auron replied with a smile and rubbed his ruby mustache. You remind me of myself when I was a little younger than you. I once thought of Akielas the same way. It is no doubt that he keeps many secrets. Yes he is still fighting his inner fiends and dealing with the past in his mind, however, his intentions are good. They continued walking towards the palace; people waved and tried to get between the guards to touch the prince. Women tried to get the prince’s attention but Ganicus ignored them and Auron continued. I agree that it is because of Akielas that the Specters exist. They are his monsters but the Specters have minds of their own. Akielas genuinely changed his ways a decade ago, yet his apprentices decided to follow a path of destruction for their own reasons. We cannot blame Akielas for the actions of the Specters. It is no longer his problem alone. These masked villains are now attacking our precious cities all over the world. Ember cursed the king of my country, silencing him into a long slumber. Blaming Akielas will not solve my problem. Akielas has been doing everything that he can to help and, trust me, he feels great guilt. Perhaps you were not paying close attention when he spoke about his past with his old apprentices.

Ganicus held the Golden Sun, a medallion that hung from his neck. If Akielas had never asked him to join the alliance he was now part of, then Ganicus would have never unlocked the power of the Golden Sun. A relic passed down through generations in his family. Ganicus was the first one to unlock its power. Akielas was the one who taught him how to control his maju as well as aeromancy. Auron is right. Maybe I am just aiming the anger I have for my father at Akielas.

Soon they arrived at a small port where the water of the city flowed and divided into many channels. They got in a small boat and the scorpion soldiers followed separately. A topless servant of the palace, wearing a turban, paddled them to their destination. Silently they cruised for a few minutes until they arrived.

Ganicus impatiently ran up a set of ivory stairs leading into the palace, quickly leaving Auron behind. He sprinted through golden halls. Silk curtains ruffled as the wind blew from outside. Servants bowed to him and he kissed a maid before he entered his father’s throne room.

A tile pattern in white and gold decorated the door. His heart hammered in his chest as he stared at the door feeling hesitant and somewhat afraid. He inhaled, then exhaled as he pushed the doors open and saw his father speaking with a high ranking soldier. He spotted the king giving the soldier a gilded scroll. The soldier spun around and marched out of the throne room with the scroll in his hand. Ganicus felt tempted to command the soldier to stop but refrained since his father was watching.

Ganicus? You are back so soon, his father said and rose from the throne. He was topless, over six feet tall and his dark hair was a Mohawk braided into three tails. His skin bronzed, his body ripped with lean muscles. He dwarfed Ganicus making the boy seem like a toddler. What happened? Mahamuth approached his son. Where is Akielas?

I need to speak with you, father, Ganicus glared at his father fiercely. The prince balled his right hand into a fist and clenched his teeth. Many times he felt weak around his father but today he would finally stand up to him.

Auron entered the throne room looking around the luxurious chamber, especially at the harem behind the king’s throne. There you are, he said and raised his red eyebrows, bowing when he saw Mahamuth standing with Ganicus.

Auron Fox of Burnahdujf. It is a pleasure seeing you again, the king said. What brings you two back so soon after your departure just a few days ago? Any information on the masked villains who attacked my city?

We are still fighting these masked foes, and as to why we are here...well...ask your son. I simply followed him. Auron crossed his arms and waited for Ganicus to answer.

Speak my prince. The king encouraged.

Ganicus cleared his throat and finally spoke his mind.

While fighting the Specters, I discovered why they were collecting so much kaminyte. I am not sure how but they intend to use the dark steel to rid the world of magic. They plan to strip everyone in Odealeous of their magical abilities. If this is what they are planning on doing with the kaminyte, then I wonder what you were planning, father. It is time that you tell me the truth. I have grown tired of your lies and secrets. I am the prince of Zolan and, one day I am to take the throne after you, so I demand that you tell me what you plan to do with the kaminyte. I am sure whatever you have plotted will be useful information for Akielas to be able to stop the Specters. So speak, father.

King Mahamuth stood silent staring down at his son. For so long the king had been collecting the dark steel and, whatever he had to say, was sure to assist Ganicus in his quest. Mahamuth could no longer hide it from his son.

Very well then, the king said unpleasantly. He sat back down on his throne. Two maidens served him wine in a silver cup. They were half naked with transparent garments and Auron could not help but gaze at their nudity.

You know that Zolan has been at war with Verday since the time of my great grandfather, the king began.

Ganicus simply nodded his head.

My great grandfather believed that he could make a weapon to fight against the green queen’s army. The green bitch of the north, as I like to call her, nearly defeated us and conquered our desert lands but my great grandfather created a weapon that was said to be as powerful as the Golden Sun. He had failed in awakening the power of the relic that was forged by Hettakus Kollos and so he forged his own weapon. Do you remember the day that I sent you to the pyramids near Donkor Village?

Yes, I remember. Your men were digging for that giant piece of kaminyte but then one of the Specters took it, the prince answered.

Yes, but my men were not just searching for your grandfather’s kaminyte, they were searching for the weapon that his army had used. Had that masked fiend not toppled my pyramid I would most likely have found it by now, however, Majithus has shown me something unexpected, the king paused.

And what is that? Ganicus asked.

You...my son, Mahamuth replied.

Ganicus placed a hand on his chest and looked at his own body in confusion. Me? What about me?

The king stood up from his throne once more and placed both hands on his son’s shoulders, looking into his eyes. You are the first person in the family to awaken the power of the Golden Sun. Only one other man in the history of Zolan was able to do that and that man was said to be related to Bracka Mahamuth the great summoner. The king raised a fist with passion. I am proud of you and, once these masked villains have been stopped, the northern countries will be willing to cease their wars and sign a peace treaty. This journey could save our country so much bloodshed, which is why I am counting on you. I did not want you to know what I was planning on doing with all the kaminyte I collected because I don’t want you to be like me. I want you to be greater than me.

Ganicus squinted as his eyes moistened, trying to hold in his tears. All this time he was resenting his father only to discover the lovable truth. The prince wrapped his arms around his father and gave him a hug.

Thanks father, I am so glad that you told me the truth. He wiped his tears. Ganicus felt relieved to know that leaving his comfort zone in the palace and going on a journey with Akielas had changed his father’s mind. He would gladly continue to fight alongside Akielas and rid the world of the Specters.

Suddenly, something inside Auron’s chest plate began to vibrate. Ganicus and the king both stared at Auron. The red haired man pulled the object from inside his armor and it was a ruby necklace glowing red. The fragment of the Crimson Cosmo Jewel,Auron said. Whenever it vibrates and glows like this it means that the jewel is near...which means...

Ember, Ganicus whispered. She is here!

That masked woman who summoned fiends upon my city? the king asked.

Yes father, Ganicus answered.

Without hesitation Auron stormed out of the throne room with Ganicus close on his heels. As they ran down the halls they drew their swords. Once they reached the entrance of the palace they surveyed the skies and the city around them. There were no fiends or Specters in sight.

Where could she be? Auron said and slashed the air with his falchion.

How close does she have to be for your necklace to alarm you? Ganicus asked.

Not very far. She has to be fairly close to the palace for... Auron swallowed his last words when he saw a church spire explode. They both gazed up at the sky and there she was. Clad in black, her mask white and ghoulish, her cloak billowing. Ember had shot a blast of fire at the church of Majithus that was before the channel of the palace. A ball of fire grew in her hands and she hurled it downward towards the city.

She is going to hurt my people! Ganicus rushed towards her using aeromancy, gliding through the wind while calling upon the power of the Golden Sun. As he moved through the air, the medallion hanging from his neck shone. Ganicus flew like a sun moving over the city. When the light around him faded he was clad in gold. The Valiarmos. The gilded legendary cloth now gave him the incredible power of fire and light. It was round with spikes resembling the rays of the sun around the edges of the armor. With the cloth, the prince wielded a spear and shield.

Before Ember’s blast could touch another edifice in the city, Ganicus deflected it back at her using his shield. The masked woman dodged her own attack and plummeted down towards Ganicus. The prince rushed skyward and, when they met, their weapons collided releasing sparks and flames.

Don’t you look pretty in gold. Ember mocked as she swung her twin swords made of black steel.

Today I am going to break that mask of yours and stare at your dead corpse, Ganicus threatened but it only made Ember laugh. Their weapons collided a second time and the golden spear broke her swords, the black shards went flying through the air. Ganicus thrust his spear aiming to kill, but she teleported leaving behind black smoke, covering his weapon. She reappeared dozens of feet away from him.

That trick won't work this time, Ember, he said and grunted. His entire armor shone bright like the sun itself and blinded her. While her eyes were shut, Ganicus took advantage and dashed through the air once more aiming to kill. She spun rapidly in the air and dodged the prince.

Stop running away from me, Ember. He called out to her but she was too quick. Black smoke billowed inside her cloak and she drew two more black swords from its darkness.

Come at me, prince of the desert. I assure you that today you will meet your end. This I promise you, Ember swore.

Ganicus stared at her for a moment. She looked at him from that one eye opening on the left side of her mask. Something told him that she was serious. He knew that she had some trick, item or spell that she would use to end his life.

We shall see, Ganicus rasped and shot forward with his spear. He was confident in his victory. The Golden Sun gave him power and even if Auron didn't assist him he had no doubt of his victory today. As he foresaw himself already in triumph, he used the power of his Valiarmos and shot a yellow blast of energy from the emblem of his chest plate. Ember retaliated with her own blast of darkness. Screams of the dead echoed from the dark beam. When the beams connected, she was already losing. Ganicus pushed with all his might, his beam already dissolving her dark spell. Ember let go of her magic and Ganicus's beam of sunlight grazed her cloak of shadows.

Absolutely wonderful, Ember complimented. This is the power that saved your city from my attack just a few days ago. Too bad you won't be here to see what this city will become once I am ruler of Odealeous.

You will do no such thing, Ganicus replied. What you are doing is impossible. No one has the right to rule the world. Odealeous belongs to no one.

No one has the right to rule the world yet we have so many monarchs fighting for land and trying to conquer one another, Ember said. Why do you think your country has been at war with Verday for so long? We all want the right to rule and only a chosen few seize the title of king.

Don't listen to her! Auron's voice chimed in. He was riding his Eedahlan, Garuda, an avian creature with black feathers. It had red and blue wings, massive human arms and legs, capable of carrying Auron's body. It thudded its large wings, stretching over thirty feet. It had the head of a dragon and the beak of an eagle. The red haired man sat in a saddle on the back of the creature. Garuda had been summoned from limbo, a colorless mid realm, to aid its master.

What makes you think that you can rid the world of magic, Ember, Auron argued. You can't take away something that belongs to all living things. Men can conquer lands and declare war on each other but magic is something of the heart, it will never vanish.

Auron, what took you so long? Ganicus asked.

Summoning takes time, Auron answered.

Ember cackled and drifted in the air, her cloak billowing. Ganicus smelled the smoke from the church Ember had attacked and heard the wind whistling. With all the confidence he had, something just felt off, as if Majithus was trying to tell him something. Golden God of the Desert, what is this feeling I have? I know I can win this battle. Something is just not right.

Ganicus hovered towards Garuda; his armor gleamed with the sunlight so much that Auron squinted.

Don't you think it's odd that the other Specters are not with her? Ganicus whispered.

No. I wager that they are attacking another town or searching for more kaminyte, Auron answered.

What's wrong? Have you lost the will to fight all of a sudden? Ember taunted.

Ganicus clenched his teeth. He knew that she was just provoking him, yet still, with anger, he shot through the sky and attacked.

Umbra phantos, he heard Ember hiss her spell and, like a ghost, she streamed through him. With all the power he had, he could not stop her shadomancy. Although the Golden Sun was enchanted with the attributes of fire and light, Ember's shadomancy opposed its magic. She went directly towards Auron, reaching with hands out like hawk talons.

Auron tried to strike her but his attack went right through. He felt her clutching the ruby piece from around his neck and she yanked it off. He looked over his shoulder and she had become solid again. The fragment...No! Auron yelled.

She had taken the ruby piece he had been carrying since their last battle five years ago. Ganicus was not sure how important that ruby piece was, he only knew that it was a part of the Crimson Cosmo Jewel. Oh no, he realized. She has completed the jewel.

At last! Ember shouted, her voice high pitched. From within the darkness of her cloak, she pulled the Crimson Cosmo Jewel. It was round at the bottom and its top had blunt spikes that imitated flames. The jewel filled Ember's hand. It was quite large, nearly bigger than her head. Like a puzzle, she placed the ruby piece on the jewel completing one of its spikes. The jewel began to shudder in her hands.

You don't know how to use its power, Ember. It is useless, Auron stated. Garuda thudded its wings waiting for its master's command.

You know nothing, Amaranth, Ember remarked.

Garuda, kill her! Auron commanded. The Eedahlan flapped its wings creating a sound like a titan clapping its hands and released winds so powerful they could cut through stones.

Ember raised a hand and released purple steam. The mighty winds ceased at the unknown force that Ember held. It was a power that Ganicus had seen before, a power that nearly destroyed his city.

Cosmos phantom suz! Ember yelled and released a beam of purple energy.

Ganicus' eyes widened seeing it again. His heartbeat raced and he rushed to protect Auron. The purple beam collided with his golden shield. The beam pushed him back through the air going down towards the city. He grunted and pressed his own maju against Ember's attack. Auron could only watch as Ganicus wrestled against Ember's cosmo powers. Akielas had told him that cosmo magic was rare and that Prodigus Kollos, the legendary sage, was the only one who had ever learned it. The prince did not care. He had the Golden Sun. Sure he had taken it without permission, but he knew that it was his destiny to be the one to master its power.

He heard a fracturing noise coming from his shield and felt it crack from top to bottom. The energy was too intense and it still pushed him back. Had Ember become more powerful? He was able to stop her attack before, So why can't I do it now? Ganicus refused to be weak and let out a roar. The golden shield shattered but the Golden Sun released a beam from his chest piece, clashing against Ember's purple beam of cosmo.

I will not be defeated! he screamed and pressed more maju into his beam. He pushed Ember's purple blast. Suddenly, he was winning. Her beam shortened, nearly fading. Meet your end, Ember, Ganicus said with pride.

Ember lost control of her magic and was now showered by Ganicus's blast. Engulfed by the devastating power of the Golden Sun, and with a blinding flash, Ganicus could feel Ember's maju fading, her presence beginning to vanish. The prince laughed and punched the air in triumph.

He had done it.

He had defeated Ember. Odealeous' greatest threat, defeated by the prince of Zolan.

I am Ganicus, the Slayer of Specters. He named himself and felt the glory of the title. He raised his chin and stared at his enemy. Her maju could not be sensed anymore, yet she still floated in the sky.

All the pride and glory suddenly melted instantly once Ganicus saw Ember glowing red.

Ganicus! Be careful! Auron yelled at him from atop Garuda.

The prince hovered towards Auron. Once they met in the air, they both stared at Ember. She was shining an angry red, purer than blood. It was as if she was coated in lava. Ganicus could not believe his eyes. What had he done? He thought that he had blasted her to oblivion.

I think...I think...she has done it, Auron whispered, his voice trembling with fear.

Done what? Ganicus asked nervously. She has done what Auron?

The Crimson Cosmo Jewel, she... has awakened its power, Auron said in awe and despair. Garuda drifted backwards in the air. Auron gaped at Ember. Ganicus was not sure how he should react. He did not know much about the jewels. But how powerful could she be with the jewel when I have the Golden Sun? He said to himself.

I won't lose to her. I don't care what this crimson jewel is capable of! Ganicus said.

You fool! Auron yelled. I know because I have been wearing the ruby piece around my neck. I have already felt its maju. You have no idea what kind of immense power the cosmo jewel has.

Well... then we are about to find out. Ganicus turned to Ember.

Don't be so prideful and arrogant. We should leave right now. The jewel has given her too much power. Auron tried to grab Ganicus while on Garuda. The prince shoved him away and stared up at Ember.

You are a coward just like Akielas. Right now we have the chance to defeat Ember and you are thinking of running away, Ganicus said. You really are the son of Akielas. Ember is here, now. If we join forces, I am sure we can defeat her with whatever power she has. She is human just like us. She is not indestructible.

In his veins ran the blood of the Mahamuths, said to have descended from Bracka Mahamuth, the legendary summoner. They were always proud people of the desert. Even when the green queen from Verday came to conquer with her thorn army, the people of Zolan fought with pride. They were taught to never run from battle and grab the rhino by the horn. They fought even if their weapons broke, till their final breath.

You can run, Auron, but I will stand here and defend my people, the prince said. My city is right below me and I will not forgive myself if this masked bitch causes any more destruction in my capital.

Ganicus gazed up at Ember. She no longer shone. She floated in the air with flames dancing around her and the Crimson Cosmo Jewel hovering over her hand. Now she laughed, oh that awful laugh of hers irritated Ganicus. It was high pitched, cocky and arrogant.

Behold, this is the power of Pyramus, the dragon god of fire, and it is now in the palm of my hands. Ember kept laughing.

She had planned it from the beginning, Auron said. So then...I was right. I knew it. The Crimson Cosmo Jewel only awakens to a compound of fire, light and cosmo, and the Golden Sun was the perfect catalyst.

Auron, I have no idea what you are talking about, Ganicus responded.

Your Golden Sun's power awakened the crimson jewel. This is why I followed you here after you decided to leave Akielas's sanctum, but you would not allow me to test it. Auron's Eedahlan drifted closer to Ganicus. The prince had been avoiding Auron and his speeches. The red haired man wanted to try some spells on the Golden Sun but Ganicus did not trust anyone with his family relic. The boy was very protective of it.

Auron! Ember called out to the Amaranth. Tell me, are you jealous that I have awoken the power of the crimson jewel when your tribe could not do so for centuries?

Auron could not find the words to verbally retaliate, he only clenched his teeth and scowl at Ember.

Don't be disappointed. After all, the truth had been hidden for so long, Ember said. And just because I enjoy making you feel hopeless, here is another wonderful item that you are probably familiar with. Ember hid her right arm inside her cloak, smoke billowed and from the darkness she pulled another remnant of the gods. The Emerald Cosmo Jewel. It was a green crystal, its shape was like many rectangles growing out of a sphere. It hovered over her hand, shining green. As Ganicus stared at the jewel in awe he wondered, Why didn't she use it against me?

I remember last time I tried to blast this city to ashes, you surprised me with your Golden Sun, Ember explained. Your Valiarmos's power is equal to the Emerald Cosmo Jewel, however, I discovered its weakness.

At that point Ganicus could not bear to listen to her anymore. With anger he flew towards Ember. Using the crimson jewel, Ember unleashed a beam thrice the size of her previous one. A red beam like a stream of lava. Ganicus launched his sun beam and, when both powers collided, they caused a blinding light stronger than the sun. Keeping his eyes squeezed shut, he pressed more energy into his attack. He thought that the Golden Sun was infinite power but the Crimson Cosmo Jewel's maju was so immeasurable he could not compare it to anything of Odealeous. He was pushing against a force so great, it felt as if the moon was falling on him. It was so vast that the Golden Sun struggled to fight against it.. My sun beam is not working, he thought. I can’t lose here. No, I refuse to lose.

He felt his chest plate fracturing as well as his pauldrons and vambraces. Spikes on his armor resembling sun rays, broke off the edges. The energy was too immense, too inhuman to endure. A power not of this world. Is this what the power of a god feels like? Can I really survive? He began to doubt himself. At that point he was sure that he would not win. Spirit of the Golden Sun, if you can hear me I have a request for you. I know that I won't be able to win. I was too prideful. Once I am gone I want you to help Auron. He is a great man. Son of Akielas. Serve him well until the Specters are defeated, then return to my father. This is my last request but, for now, give me one last burst of energy. I will not be taken down so easily. I want Ember to remember me and how hard she tried, even with the Crimson Cosmo Jewel...I guess...this is goodbye. He felt a sudden thrust in his chest as his maju rose. He felt the spirit of the Golden Sun touching him. He looked over his shoulder and saw a human figure painted in gold. He smiled at the spirit then returned his attention to Ember.

Ganicus's eyes now glowed white, radiating energy. He pressed more maju into his sun beam and managed to push Ember back.

Although I possess the crimson jewel, you are still able to hinder me, Ember said passionately as she enjoyed clashing blasts with Ganicus. I admire your courage but I must destroy all who stand in the way of my plans.

Ember combined the crimson and emerald jewels. The compound created a yellow beam fivefold bigger than the prince's sun beam. Ember's blast struck him and the Golden Sun armor shattered into dust. The incredible energy eradicated his body, blasting the flesh from his bones. As he vanished from existence his final thoughts were, I thank my new friends for the adventure. I thank my father for all his love. I thank Majithus for giving me such a great life in Odealeous. My soul lives on.

Auron

He could not believe his eyes. He had never seen such incredible powers colliding. It was like watching beings from another world cast unspeakable spells never before seen by human eyes. This is not human, Auron thought. They are like gods, one fighting for good and the other fighting to conquer the world. He watched as Ember's beam annihilated Ganicus from existence. His maju quickly disappeared as well as the Golden Sun. Ember's blast engulfed him, eradicating every physical wisp of the boy. Ember had combined the power of two cosmo jewels. The crimson jewel of the Amaranth tribe and the emerald jewel.

Auron had read the dragon bible in his visits to Ironside, the great metropolis. It spoke of battles between entities from Necrovania and from the realm of light. He read about how great powers crashed and massive energy spheres would grow in the sky and illuminate the land. He read chapters about Prodigus Kollos fighting against beings able to use twilight magic. He had stumbled upon scrolls that spoke of enchanted armors that gave warriors incredible powers. Auron never took what he read seriously but rather as historical literature and fairy tales written centuries or millennia ago. Seeing Ganicus and Ember fight with such god-like power had erased all his skepticism. He was now a believer. Something switched in his mind and raised his awareness. A realization of what he had been truly ignoring. He was afraid of such power. He was ignorant of such power. He had been denying its existence even five years ago when Ember fooled him into taking the Crimson Cosmo Jewel from his own tribe. Auron never truly believed in the dragon gods until now, after seeing Ember use a piece of the power of the gods.

After Ganicus was utterly gone from existence, his Golden