"Can you hear that? It is the sound of the Reaper, the voice of Death..."

Years had gone by since Magus had finally revealed himself. Cyrus had pushed himself even harder now that his best friend was the enemy, and the one who had killed Dothin. A mere three months after that terrible day, Cyrus had been proclaimed a Knight of the Sqaure Table by King Guardia, and his errant was to be Glenn Figaro.

Glenn was a strong boy, his greenish-blue eyes filled with youth and his green hair like the deep emeralds. He reminded Cyrus so much of Janus before the dark times that followed that day. It had now been two years since Janus had become the demon Magus, and Cyrus knew that soon, the day would come that they would fight to the death.

"Sir Cyrus?" Glenn stuttered. "When will you destroy that beast, Magus? He's slaughtered many of our best, and the fiend..."

"Silence your tongue," Cyrus commanded. "I will deal with Magus when the time comes. Besides...only the Masamune can defeat Magus' dark power...that's what the Oracle said."

"Then why don't you go and strike him down with Masamune?" Glenn persisted.

Cyrus sighed and shook his head. Glenn didn't know the truth of it all, that Magus had once been his own friend. All he knew was that Magus was a demon beast. "Glenn, Masamune can only be weilded by one destine to do so, and that one must prove himself worthy. Janus would have been so if not for that demon."

Glenn growled at the mention of Janus. He had been told that Magus had killed his old friend and taken his form as a way of mocking the elven eared boy. "Then you do so for Janus, and avenge his death."

Cyrus sighed again. It was an endless loop for Glenn. He only hoped that age would soon bring him the tempering he needed. "Soon..." He climbed onto his horse and turned to Gleen. "I'll be back soon, I need to speak with the king. Wait for me here." He spurred on his steed, riding off to the castle as Glenn watched him go.

If I had Masamune, I'd go straight for Magus and rip out his black heart.

Mystics gave way as Flea and Slash walked towards the throne, knowing that this was not the time to pester them. As they reached the dais, both Mystic generals dropped to their knees and bowed. "Lord Magus, we are ready for the assualt."

"What of the knight, Cyrus?"

Slash grinned. "Word is he will be leading the knights of Guardia against us, a foolish gesture."

"No...no, he will not be leading them...he will be searching for Masamune..."

"Even stupider," Flea remarked with a smile. "No one can wield that sword, nor can they get past that nilin guarding it even if they could use it."

"Still, there is the concern that Cyrus may be able to defeat the nilin. Make sure that the mountains are heavily guarded against intruders."

Slash nodded and walked off to carry out his orders, Flea remaining. "Sire, about Cyrus...I think you've been holding back a bit in your fights with him...maybe that kid's still got a little fight left in him..."

"The child is of no concern now," Magus replied coldly. "Only the plan...As long as Cyrus stays out of my way though, it will not be a concern. You know your role."

"Of course," Flea stated, bowing and leaving the chamber. Magus sighed as he closed his eyes, breathing deeply. It was hard to mantain his control over Janus' body. The soul of it's rightful owner had indeed grown powerful, almost strong enough to force him out on it's own. However, that would not happen, nor would he allow Janus to take control again, too great was the risk to himself.

Worried that I'll try that again?

Magus frowned. Be glad I can't force you out of this body, otherwise my original plan would have worked.

But then you never would have fought Dothin, and not had your magnificent battle.

I see you've discovered the finer points of sarcasm, whelp.

Whereas you've learned nothing. Cyrus will fight you to the death, even if it means my own.

Or more likely his. Learn to approiciate this arrangement, boy. Unlike you, I am immortal, learn to live with it.

"You called for me, sire?"

King Guardia nodded as Cyrus bowed before him. "It's Magus...his forces are pressing our foward flank, and we're running out of time. This must end."

"Your Highness..." Cyrus paused. How could he tell the king about his reluctence to fight the person who had once been his best friend. "Sire, if we take out Magus, there will be another to take his place."

"But none with his power," the King replied. "Cyrus, I know you believe that Janus is still in there, so do I. But that demon has taken hold of his body with a grip too strong to cast off. I believe even he would want you to end it for him."

Cyrus slowly nodded. "He told me that before the demon re-awakened...if I must fight him, I will...but if there is a chance we can save the true soul in there..."

"We will do what we can if there is anything...but if not, you know what you must do."

Cyrus nodded and bowed before leaving, finding Glenn waiting outside the door. "Glenn, what are you doing here? I told you to wait back home."

"Sire, you need my help," Glenn stated. "I can be of assistence. If we're to get Masamune, we will need the Hero Medal, and the Frog King has it."

Cyrus smiled; Glenn was determined, he had to give him that. "You're just as stubborn as Janus was...alright, you can come, but watch your ass, it'll be just us two against almost the entire Mystic army."

"Is that all?" Glenn asked jokingly. "I'd say the odds are in our favor."

Cyrus laughed at Glenn's sarcastic remark. "You'll make a fine knight, Glenn. Just stay alive to make it that far."

Flea frowned as the Guardian Knights offered little resistence. This was Porto, the main trade center of Guardia. the knights should have been fighting full force.

"Something's wrong here, something we're not seeing..." Glenn quickly swiped away yet another frog, the giant Frog King backing away from him and Cyrus. "That's all?"

"Why don't you leave me alone?!" the amphibian croaked.

"All we did was ask for the Hero Medal," Cyrus replied. "You're the one who attacked us."

The Frog King croaked again, then threw a small object to the ground and hopped away. "Fine, take your stupid medal! Just leave me alone!"

Glenn smiled as he picked up the Medal. "Frogs..."

"Don't underestimate them," Cyrus stated. "Despite their weakness, they do have good leg strength. We best hurry, Guardia doesn't have much time left." He ran over to where his horse was, Glenn running to his own and mounting as they rode off towards the mountains.

"Sir Cyrus," Glenn asked as they rode to the mountain path. "Why have you not tried to strike Magus down when you've fought him?"

Cyrus sighed. He didn't want Glenn to find out yet that Magus was infact his old friend Janus. "I knew him before he became this way, before Janus' death. He was a good person then...I think maybe I can't kill him because deep done, I know he still has that spark of good."

"Sooner or later, you're going to find out the hard way that you're probably wrong," Glenn replied harshly. "I only hope you can see it before it's too late."

Cyrus sighed and shook his head. Glenn didn't know the truth about Magus, or he would be as reluctent as he was about the whole thing. Soon though, the boy had to learn the truth. It was as good a time as any now. "Glenn, about what happened to Janus..."

"What?" Glenn replied. "If is there something you didn't tell me before? Magus killed him, that's all I need to know."

"Glenn, it's not exactly that simple...Magus is..."

"Standing right above you, foolish human," came the cold voice, Cyrus and Glenn looking up in shock to see the cloaked lord of the Mystics perched on a bluff above them. Cyrus instinctively drew his sword, Glenn mimicing his actions as their horses backed away. "You really think I wouldn't expect this, Cyrus?! You should know me better!"

"I do indeed, demon!" Cyrus replied with scorn, spurring his horse on and racing past the bluff. Glenn quickly followed, Magus laughing as he rose off the ground, then shot down the side of the rise, flying after them as they raced into the moutain trail.

"You can't escape me, old friend!" Magus taunted, suddenly gasping in pain, forced to slow down as he fought to regain control of his body. "Damn you, stop this!" He looked up to see that Cyrus and Glenn had gained some distance from him, a snarl signalling his rage. "Very clever..."

I'd rather die than let you defeat him.

"Alas, you won't, and neither will I!"

Cyrus looked back and saw that they had lost their foe, slowing down and getting off his horse, signalling for Glenn to do the same. "Masamune can't be far, hurry!" He raced up the path, Glenn ready to fight a a moment's notice as they ran to the cave where Masamune was said to lay.

"Sir Cyrus!" Glenn exclaimed, peering into the cave. "It's Masamune!"

"Thank god..." Cyrus sheathed his sword and ran into the cave, finding no nilin guarding as the legends said. "This is too easy." Reaching for the sword, Cyrus saw the Hero Medal glowing in reaction, Masamune shining as well. He gripped the hilt and pulled the sword out of the ground, shocked to find that it was only half the blade. "What?! It's broken?! That's impossible!"

"Sir Cyrus! It's Magus!"

Cyrus growled and ran out of the cave. He had to face Magus now, and if he had to fight with only half of Masamune, it would have to do. "Magus, leave us or face defeat!"

"And pass up one last battle with you?!" Magus replied sadistically. "Not a chance!" He pulled out his scythe, thrusting it out towards the two, then twirling it like a fighting staff. "Besides, I seriously doubt you can beat me with only half of Masamune."

Cyrus growled, then handed Glenn the blade and the Hero Medal. "Glenn, hold this."

"But...Sir Cyrus..."

"Do it!" Cyrus snapped, drawing his own sword. "With or without Masamune...I'll make you pay for destroying Janus' life."

"Oh, but the best part is yet to come." Magus laughed as he drove his Scythe's handle to the ground, Ozzie appearing behind him. "Ozzie here will keep an eye on our little friend, make sure he doens't try anything rash." He twirled his weapon around above his head and took stance, taunting Cyrus to make the first move.

All too eager to oblige, Cyrus ran at his foe, swinging his sword with all his might, Magus deflecting with the handle of his scythe and pushing the blade away as he snapkicked Cyrus back. "You can't beat me! Even with Masamune, you could never defeat me!"

"Janus..." Cyrus whispered as he got to his feet. "I know you're in there...help me stop him."

"Janus is gone," Magus replied with a scornful curl in his voice. "Only I remain."

"Then why couldn't you kill me before?" Cyrus returned, thrusting again, only to have Magus deflect with his scythe. "He's still in there, and you can't get rid of him!"

Magus growled as he flipped back, scythe at the ready as a faint breeze blew. He smiled a bit as he twirled his weapon like a staff. "Can you hear that? It's the the sound of the Reaper, the voice of Death...he shall soon come for you!!"

Cyrus quickly blocked Magus' strike, backing away to avoid a deadly slash to his head. He frowned, knowing that Janus' spirit couldn't help him here this time. He had to stop Magus fast.

"How would you like your remains displayed?" Magus asked sadistically. "In pieces, or on a pole?"

Cyrus gave no answer save a hard punch, giving himself some room as Magus backed away to recover from the blow. He struck again, blade clashing against the handle of Magus' scythe. "Release the child you hold, demon!"

"Why?! You don't know the power he holds, nor do you even know where he comes from!" Magus smiled as he aimed his hand and chant a spell, flames slamming into Cyrus and sending him to the ground. "Before you die, let me tell you the truth of it all...have you ever heard of a Kingdom called Zeal?"

Cyrus knew the name from legends and stories; a magic kingdom that floated in the sky, ruled by a kind King and Queen, but destroyed by a powerful beast of Fire. "It's only a myth, and even if it were true, that realm is long gone..."

"Allow me to introduce the last survivor," Magus whispered with a grin. "Prince Janus, heir prince of Zeal. He is the Shadow Master."

Cyrus suddenly understood the horrible truth of it all, why Magus had possessed Janus, why the boy was so powerful. He wasn't just gifted, he was the foretold Prince of Shadows! "You son of a bitch..."

"And now...you take your secret to the grave..." Magus laughed as he blasted Cryus with another burst of fire magic, then a blast of lighting to finish off the knight.

Gleen stared in horror at the sight as Magus and Ozzie turned their attention to him. "You won't get away with this demon...Janus and Cyrus will be avenged!" He raised the broken Masamune and ran at Magus, only to be flung back by a burst of wind.

"Such courage...I think you need a much more fitting form, boy..." Magus smiled as he flung out his hand and blasted Glenn with a spell, the boy gasping as he felt his body change. "By the way, not even a kiss from a princess will fix this one!"

Glenn stumbled back, Masamune still in his hands, then fell off the edge and into the river. Magus smiled as he turned away, then looked to see Cyrus' burnt body clutching the Hero Medal. "Let this be your reminder of failure, Glenn..." He picked up the medal and tossed it into the river, watching as both it and Glenn went over the waterfall.

Just as he and Ozzie were about to leave, Magus gasped in pain as he collapsed to his knees. "No....stop...."

You killed the man who was like a brother to me, you put a curse on my friend...know this Magus....one day, that boy will battle you, and your hold will be lost. That is the day when I will return, and all your destruction shall end...

To Be Continued......

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