Chapter 4
Death is not the end

The time had finally arrived to leave the ship.  Samus had already seen what he
could of the city from the ship, but he was ready to jump off of it to see what else there
was, and frankly he was sick of the smell of saltwater.  Hart called him from the lower
deck.  
"Hey Sammy, ready to get off this thing and have a good time?"  The pirate had
the largest grin on his face that Samus had ever seen.  No answer was necessary, Samus'
face said it all, he was so excited that on more than a few occasions he lost his footing on
the rocking boat and nearly fell overboard.  Hart walked up to the main deck slowly and
trying to hide his smile.  He pretended that he didn�t care and took his time, it was
torturing Samus.  "All right, everyone on deck, get ready to tie her up and leave her with
her friends."  This was a call for all of the crew to come up and get the ship ready for the
few days that they were going to be away from it.  Shortly after that Doech came up and
stood beside his captain, followed by Mathias and then Dmitry.
Now in full light Samus could finally see Dmitry in his full mass.  And mass was
the only word that could accurately describe him.  Each of his legs were easily larger
than Samus and his arms matched.  His torso was short but equally large in muscle.  The
oddest thing about him was his head.  His head was a little larger than Hart's, but not by
much, and very disproportionate to his body, although the two seemed to be a perfect
match.  It was very odd.  If Samus could have seen his teeth he would have seen two rows
of perfectly straight teeth with two large fangs where the canines would usually be.  "He
is definitely not human, but I'm not sure what he is," Samus thought to himself.
Then lastly Jonesy climbed up from his armory and had with him a sword in an
elegant leather sheath.  He tossed it to Samus and he caught it.  "In case we have any
trouble tonight," Jonesy said calmly, but trouble wasn't the word for what the night held.

***

�I think that I can trace the spell of Elentari to a location in the Lone Islands.
From there you should be able to find your brother.�  Jarroh said as he stood up from the
dirt that surrounded the tree.
�What about you, master.  You make it sound as if I will be going alone.�  Janus
was confused.
�You will be, my powers are limited to this region of the world.  I cannot go with
you, nor can I bring you back from where I send you.  Besides, there is very little else that
I can teach you.  I will give you a few new spells before you leave though.�
�Very well, will these ensure my victory?  I do not want to have to see Him like
that again.�  He was referring to the demon lord that commanded them to find Samus.
�Yes, there is nothing that can stop you this time.  You cannot fail.�
�Good, then maybe finally I can earn my place beside you in our masters court.�

***

Throughout town vendors lined the streets trying to pawn off a days work for a
days wages.  Whether it was foodstuffs or clothes, it was all there.  There was a busyness
and bustle to the city that Samus had never felt before.  It gave him an energy he never
had as he walked along the streets with Hart and the crew.  The crisp night air kept them
moving, ever forward through the seemingly endless maze of streets.  The cobblestone
roads were crude in design, but fit the town appropriately.  The windows were wooden
framed as with the houses and the chimneys were already smoking.  The smell of fresh
fish and other seafood tempted Samus' nose, but he charged on.  Hart walked over to a
fish vendor and began to speak in another language.  The sellers eyes grew big and then
he screamed to his help inside his kiosk.  A young elf appeared and spoke more with Hart
and the vendor.  The elf hopped over the counter and rushed off towards their ship.  A
few silent minutes passed and the elf returned.  He was excited about something, he and
the peddler spoke in whispers and then the vendor produced 6 hand sized bags of
something.  Hart turned to Doech and Jonesy and they nodded their heads eagerly.  Hart
turned back and took the sacks in hand.  The man called to more help which arrived
shortly then they all left for the ship.  Hart and the man exchanged some more words and
then Hart turned to the rest of his crew, "Gentlemen, we are rich!"
"How much is it, Hart?" Jonesy asked.
"600 plats!" Hart exclaimed.  
Samus was in the dark.  He had never heard of plats before and he still wasn't
quite sure how Hart got them.  �What just happened?  And what are plats?�
�You remember that Ryte we caught?  I just sold it.  I just sold it for 600 plats!�
Hart and the boys let out a cheer.  Mathias and Dmitry remained silent the whole time.
�Plats are worth about 100 gold a piece.  We just got 600,000 gold!� they let out another
hurrah.  �Samus, we could live like kings for a month on this!�  Samus had never seen
anyone, especially Hart, so happy.  He was acting like a child with a new toy.  Samus was
beginning to understand why.  Back home one gold piece could pay for food for his
family for a week.  They continued to walk throughout the town.  There was a noticeable
bounce in everyone�s step, save Mathias and Dmitry, they seemed totally desensitized.
They stopped off at a small shop on the corner of one of the roads.  The windows
held a sight to behold, a full collection of gold armor.  The sign read "Gold Armor Now
In Stock, 50,000g!" there were also some foreign words beneath it but Samus couldn't
read them.  The shop was called "Hob's Armor".
Inside there was armor of all sizes hanging on the wall.  From breast plates to
chain mail to grieves, nothing was left out.  There was a rustle from the back of the shop
and a few words uttered in a foreign language and then a thumping sound started to come
towards them.  Samus took hold of his sword's hilt, but Hart put his hand on Samus' to
stop him.  A small green man came tromping towards them in fine armor.  The man was
looking at the ground as he approached and as he got closer his head rose.  His face was
wrinkled and old, and any facial hair he had was a mixture of black and gray.  He grinned
from ear to ear revealing a mouth full of gaps and yellow chips that Samus figured were
teeth.  He started to laugh and then spoke.
"Hirk ja har kish na him."  Then he laughed more and this time Hart and the rest
of the crew, sans Mathias and Dmitry, all joined in.  Then Hart stepped aside and showed
Samus to the Orc.  The Orc, who Samus assumed was the aforementioned Hob, was
laughing and poking and prodding.  Then he stopped and looked at him.  "Yur nit too
strong yit, but yoo curry some armor 'round fur awhile and yoo'll be big as Dmitry o'er
dur."
"Samus, I am proud to present Hob-sec Dartnik, or just Hob, whatever you
prefer."  Hart put his hands on the broad shoulders of the Orc.  "He is the best armor
smith in these parts, probably in the world."
"Yur too kind, Hert," the Orcs basic was terrible, it was obvious he only used it to
speak with customers.  Samus had a hard time following.
"Well, can we get him suited up?"  Hart said again.
"Hew mooch yoo loooking to spund?"
�Tonight the sky is the limit, my friend!�  Hart spoke with an enthusiasm that
startled the Orc.
�Lut�s see.  Hew but sume Light Damascus weth uh Hooded Robe o� Protection.�
Samus noticed that the Orc�s basic was better when he spoke the names of his armors.
�I don�t know, Samus, you want to try it on?�  Hart turned to him and asked.
�All right, I guess.  I mean, if it�s all right with you.  I really didn�t earn any of
that money.�
�Hey, if Mathias says your OK, your OK.  Don�t worry about it, we have plenty to
cover the most expensive stuff here.  So, go, put on the armor and see how it fits.�
Samus nodded and walked over to the armor rack.  The Orc handed him a piece at
a time and after a little help putting some parts on until he was fully armored.
�Is it stiff, Sammy?�  Doech asked him with a chuckle.
�Yeah, a bit.�
�That�s good, it should be, otherwise you are getting used armor.  It should also
be a little big, but that�s so you don�t have to buy new armor every month or two.�  Hart
spoke this time.
�Try the robe on, Sammy.�  Doech and Jonesy said almost simultaneously.  Hob
handed the robe over to Samus.  It was a beautiful dark green that seemed to have a
strange shimmer to it.  Samus took it in hand and held it out.  The bottom of the robe hit
the floor.  It was obviously too long for Samus, but he put it on anyway.  To his surprise
the robe fit perfectly.  The arms, skirt and neck all seemed custom fit for him.
�Et�s un enchanted robe.  Et wull fet unyone.�  Hob spoke.  This was the first
time Samus had ever seen a robe like that before.  He began to wonder why they called it
a robe of protection.  He soon found out.  Hob drew a dagger and before Samus could
blink he struck him in the side.  The robe was cut and blood poured from the wound in
his side, but no more than half an instant later the wound disappeared, the blood
evaporated, and the hole in the robe sealed itself.  He felt only a pinch from the wound
when Hob struck.  He stepped back a few feet and looked closer at the robe, still amazed
at everything this world had to offer.
�Top notch work as usual, Hob, how do you do it.�  Hart said with a smile.
�Ut�s tha Mage�s uh keap caged en thu back.�  Everyone laughed, but again
Mathias and Dmitry stayed quiet.
�Well, Samus, I hope you like it, it is the finest armor around these parts for
someone your size.  But keep in mind it is traveling armor, not war armor.  It�s only good
enough to keep you alive on the road and in town, not worthy of a full blown battle.
Also, take the robe off in fights, it�s magic will wear off if used too much, and then you�ll
have to wait for it to recharge.�  Harts words were well spoken, like a man with years of
experience, which Samus was sure he had.  �Why don�t you go walk around outside and
get used to the feeling of forty extra pounds.�
�OK, thank you.�  Samus really wasn�t sure how to thank Hart for the armor.  He
liked it, but he wasn�t sure how much he needed it.  It was just a strange feeling having
someone he had only known a few days, it seemed, buying him things.
�Your welcome.  All of us are going to get new equipment and then we�ll meet
you out there.�  Hart turned back to Hob and they began to speak in the other language
again.

Outside Samus walked around stiffly.  The added weight wasn�t enough to slow
him down too much, but it was more difficult to walk up hills and climb the stairs near
the shop.  He decided it was time to explore the village a little more.  He continued to
walk the direction they had been walking before they went in to the shop.  The crowded
streets seemed noisier than before, and a little more intimidating.  The huge moon was
behind him, making everything before him glow with an eerie light.  He tried to keep his
eyes straight ahead of himself, but occasionally he would see a shadow loom from behind
him that seemed to be following.  The shadow was growing.  Samus looked around
frantically for a place to hide.  He ducked down a small alley and ran to the end of it.  He
turned around and saw what he was fearing most.  A man with a crooked smile and more
than a few teeth missing.  He pulled out a curved dagger and started towards Samus
again.  Samus tossed off his robe and drew his sword.  He wasn�t sure how much good it
would do, but he thought he looked a little more menacing than before.  The thug dove at
him and Samus stepped to the side.  The man missed by far and then turned again.
Samus swung his sword at the dagger and it flew from the mans hand.  He looked
shocked.  Suddenly he felt a strange feeling, he went with it.  First to the left and then to
the right.  Then behind the man and then back in front.  Samus was moving faster than he
could keep up with, he let go and his subconscious took over.  The mans eyes widened
and his jaw dropped.  Without even thinking Samus struck towards the mans neck, but
just in time he snapped out of it.  The blade stopped a hairs width from the would be
thief�s neck.  The man fell back and began to apologize.
�I�m sorry man, I was only trying to get some money for food, please don�t kill
me.  I wasn�t going to kill you, I was just gonna take your money, that�s all, I swear!�  A
puddle formed underneath the man.  Samus laughed and turned away.  
He wasn�t sure why he laughed, it could have been the mans actions, or just the
shock to his system, he couldn�t put a finger on it.  He felt light headed, but at the same
time the worlds colors were brighter and crisper, like he lad just walked out of a pitch
dark room.  He picked up his robe and put it back on after sheathing his sword.  Outside
of the alley he saw Hart and the others walking out of the shop.  Jonesy was now sporting
a new robe and Hart had some gold armor.  Doech had a new helm and breast plate, both
made of gold, and his grieves seemed to be made of gold too, but they had the same
enchanted glow that Samus� cloak had.  He rushed towards them, now moving normal
speed again.  He wanted to tell them what happened, but as soon as he got there Mathias
caught his eye and shook his head, like he knew what had happened.
�So, Samus, ready to get some dinner?�  Hart said.
�Yeah, I guess, where are we going?�
�To Schmitts, the best eats in town.  Come on, it�s this way.�
Doech came up to him, �Yur gonna love it!  You�ve never had better black clam.�
Samus couldn�t help but smile, there was something about the dwarf that was always
funny.
�Yeah, you can�t beat their ale either, but I suppose you are too young for that yet.
Maybe I can sneak you a glass.�  Jonesy piped up.  For the first time Mathias made a
movement out of the ordinary.  His cane shot up and smacked Jonesy on the back of his
head.  Jonesy spent the next five minutes rubbing the back of his head where a bump was
beginning to appear.

***

The trio moved away from the West Junica coast towards the inner continent.
The hours were long, and the journey was hard.  No one spoke they just walked.  Ever
eastward not knowing what lay in store for them.  There was no worries of food, for the
two men seemed to have an endless amount.  Cerant was not sure where he was headed,
al he knew is that when he got there he would be happy to get rid of the pair that
followed him.  He would be happy to be free again.

***

Dinner came sooner than expected for Samus.  Before he could really take in his
surroundings they were sitting down to eat.
�Good evening, gentlemen, I�ll be your server, Ashll Mosr.  May I take your drink
orders?�
�Yes, I believe we�ll all be starting with some of your finest ale,� Hart spoke, the
men nodded in agreement, �and the little one here will have some of your
cherry-pineapple juice.�  Samus wanted some ale too, whatever that was, but he figured
that Hart knew what he was talking about.
�Great, I�ll be right back.� Ashll said.  He left and all of the men turned to Samus.
�So, are ye enjoyin yer furst trip to tha city?  I sure bet it�s a lot to take in, bein�
yer furst time and all.� Doech was the one who asked.
�Yeah, it is, but I think I�ll adjust to it after a while.  I mean, this is the first time
I�ve been to a port, but I�m sure I�ll see a lot more on our trips.�
�That you will, the next stop is Gar-Kineld Hold, it�s an ancient dwarven fort
north of here.  Then after that it�s a few lesser ports before we hit the human port of Twin
Brooks.  That�s probably the closest we can get you to home.  We�ll help you to find
someone you know, but then we�ll have to get back to the sea.  Can�t stay away too long,
might loose our salt-water tolerance.�  Hart smiled at that one and so did the boys, but
Samus was a little sad about having to leave.  �But that�s almost a half-year off, we just
have to take it one port at a time.�
�H... w...n... b... ...e... th...t lo... ...AHH...uh...NO!�  Jonesy screamed across the
table.  He held his head in his hands.  The veins in his neck were throbbing.  Then he just
as suddenly as he started he stopped and went to normal.
�You OK Jonesy?� Hart spoke up.
�Yeah, I�ll be fine, just a headache that�s all.�  Jonesy made it sound as if nothing
had happened.
�OK, but if you need some fresh air then go get some.�
�Naw, I�ll be all right.�
Hart nodded and looked around.  Everyone in the restaurant was looking at them,
and a server that had dropped a plate of food.  �Sorry about that, just a bad headache,
that�s all,� Hart yelled in apology to the room.  The other inhabitants slowly turned away.
�Well, where were we?� Hart said trying to salvage the conversation and the
atmosphere.  It didn�t help much.  Every knew that it hadn�t been a headache that had
gotten to Jonesy, but no one was sure what it was.  
The waiter returned with their drinks, and took their orders.  They all had clam
save Mathias who had a small salad and some cheese stuffed pasta, and Dmitry who had
a large steak and side of some vegetable that Samus had never seen before.  They ate in
silence until Hart broke the silence near the end of the meal.
�So, Sammy, how�s the clam?  Good as we told you it would be?�
�Yeah, it�s great, but maybe it would be better with some ale.�  Samus smiled at
Jonesy who gave him a wink and the whenced in sharp pain.  It seemed as if Hart was
going to say something in return, but before he could start he was cut off by another
episode by Jonesy.
�Ahhhhh.  N... I c...n... k...ll ..i...,� he continued to call this broken sentence for a
while until he stood up.  �I have to leave now, I will meet you at the inn later.  Do not
follow me, I will be fine.�  He said this all with an eerie monotone voice that sent chills
down Samus� spine.  Something was definitely wrong with Jonesy.  He left in a rush and
silence fell over the table again.  No one argued about whether to follow, no one even
breathed to noisily for fear of breaking some unsaid rule set by him before he left.
Soon dinner was over and Mathias stood up and made an announcement.  �I must
leave now, I wish to speak with Samus.  Dmitry, will you come with me.�  Dmitry
nodded and he and Samus stood took his cloak and left after a brief wave from Hart.
Everyone was still a little odd about the evenings goings on.
Outside Mathias led them in silence as Samus followed and Dmitry lagged behind
to make sure they weren�t followed.  Occasionally Mathias stopped as if to listen to the
night, but then shrugged and continued on.  The forest became gradually more dense as
the trudged on, until finally there was no light from the moon or stars.  This prompted
Mathias to begin mumbling.  Several seconds later their path was illuminated by a light
at the end of Mathias� staff.  He smiled back at Samus.
�Never hurts to know a bit of magic... for times like this.�  He turned and
marched on waving for them to follow.  They stayed on the path for another few minutes
and then moved off the road to a smaller clearing.  At the other edge of it was a small
hill.  The moved in stealth across the field to the hill and climbed to it�s reverse.  There
in the shadows Mathias stopped and grunted.  �Now, where was it again.  Accursed
enchanted caves, never around when you need �em,� he said smiling again.  One more
grunt was followed by a wave of Mathias� staff.  He made a square and then a line from
the center of it down to the ground.  To Samus� surprise a door materialized a few feet in
front of them.  Mathias stepped in followed by Dmitry.  �It�s not dangerous, I promise,�
Mathias answered Samus� unspoken question.  
Samus unwillingly stepped inside.  It was a very noticeable change from outside.
Outside it was humid and warm.  The cave was dry and cool.
�Illuminus Vates�  Mathias shouted and the cave walls echoed the call back.
�Very well, I am here.�  A voice rang from all around.  Suddenly the cave was
totally and completely dark, as if there was no light present at all.  Then the cave was
gradually lit again.  Before them was a man in all black, wearing a cloak of night so dark
that it seemed to absorb the light.  He was Elentari.
�Greetings be to you O son of the Night.�  Dmitry said, bowing his head in
reverence.
�Greetings to you Dmitry, son of PenDrathor,� Dmitry looked up, �and to you,
Sword Dancer,� Mathias nodded, �and Samus, my child, greetings.�
�We must get to business quickly, evil is afoot.�  Dimitry said in a deep tone.
�Yes, I have felt it to, the one you call Jonesy is on his way, and he is not alone,�
Elentari followed.
�Then He is with him?  It is as I feared,� Mathias concluded.
�Wait, what is going on, and what is wrong with Jonesy?�  Samus was concerned,
and confused, two emotions that had never suited him well.
�I will start, young one,� Elentari began immediately, �You are not the same as
the others of this world.  You are a Sword Dancer.  This was discovered at your birth and
just recently proven with Mathias� poisoned sword blade and the man in the alleyway.
You have heightened speed strength and sight, along with endurance and battle skills.
You are of a warrior race, one that was thought to have died many eons ago.  Every 1000
years a being or group of beings with immense powers come together to christen a new
sword dancer.  This time tough they played a trumph they have been holding for quite
sometime. Your twin, Janus.  Before your birth they were strictly limited in power to just
one mortal, but an unknown second party has joined them.  This coincides with several
prophecies that my brother, Luthien, has seen.  We knew this was coming long before
your birth, we just prayed that it would pass to a  generation some time from now.�
�Wait,� Samus interrupted, �if Mathias is a sword dancer then that means that he
is over 1000 years old.�  Samus looked to Mathias in bewilderment.  It was impossible
for him to grasp, living more than one life time.  He just stared until silence broke his
stupidity.
�I am as you say, but you needn�t worry about that now.�  Mathias said in the
voice of a man who knows no different and doesn�t care to.
�No, does this mean that I am immortal?�  Samus was getting worried.
�Yes, and your brother are gifted the same.  But as Mathias says, that is of little
consequence at this point.  Allow me to finish, we haven�t much time.�  Elentari said.
Samus made no further interruptions, his mind was racing too fast to think of anything.
�Your brother knows of his powers as well, Jarroh has told him.  Your brother has
concentrated on his magical capabilities, or lack there of.  Mage Kitler was gifted, your
brother is an idiot, if you don�t mind me saying.�
�No, I don�t like him much either.�
�Very well then, to the next order of business.  Mathias, you know what to do.�
Elentari motioned to Mathias.
�Yes, I believe I do.�  Mathias stood and drew his staff.  �This is my weapon, the
Shining Blade.�  He separated the top of the staff and drew a long silver blade from it.  It
glistened in the light of the cave, although Samus wasn�t sure where the light came from.
�I am going to strike you, but you mustn�t block with your sword, you must be willing to
sacrifice yourself before you can truly find life.�
�I understand,� but he didn�t, he had no idea why he was standing in a mystical
cave with three men he barely knew and now he was letting one of them attempt to kill
him.  It didn�t matter to him anymore, Samus accepted it all as if it were a dream and
soon he would simply wake up and it would be over.
Mathias struck at Samus.  He just stood there, letting the sword pass through his
neck and chest in an arc that would have severed any other person in two.  But Samus
stood, motionless, watching the blade out of the corner of his eye as it went through him.
�You have passed.  Your body�s natural defense was to move faster than my
blade and protect itself in your minds absence. You may become my apprentice, if you so
desire,� Mathias said in his ever calm voice.
�Yes, I accept.�
�Good, then by Sword Dancer custom I must rename you.  Your new name shall
be Hearoh.  Your induction into this sacred order is completed.  Welcome, brother.�
�Yes, brother, welcome.�  A sinister voice called in Hearoh�s head.  It was his
brother.  �Well, you now know a infinitesimal speck of the true power we are capable of.
Shall I show you a bit of magic now, something that I have learned since the last time we
saw each other.�
�NO!�  Hearoh roared in the cave, but it had no effect on his brother.  He just
laughed at Hearoh�s attempt.
�Is he speaking to you Hearoh?� Elentari asked.
�Yes, he wants to show me some magic.�
�Very well, we are prepared, he cannot stand against our might,� the long quiet
Dmitry spoke out at last.
A grunt was then heard outside of the cave and then a growl.  Samus was scared
witless, he had never heard a noise like it before.  His mind raced with possibilities of
what his brother could have conjured, but soon his mind was put to rest.  In came Jonesy.
Hunched over and drooling.  He growled again and bared a new set of fangs.
�Do you like him?  He is a berserker, did you know that?  If anything happens to
anyone he loves he flies into a rage until he gets his vengeance or he is calmed by a
certain spell.  A spell that only I know.  I told him you were dead Samus, or should I say
Hearoh, and that Mathias and Dmitry killed you.  Now he won�t stop till he kills them or
he dies.  This should be a fun game.�
�He is coming after you two.  Be careful.�  Hearoh called to Dmitry and Mathias.
Jonesy held a large sword in his hand.  Samus didn�t recognize it from the boat.
He made his way to Mathias.  Mathias held his sword tight and took a swing at Jonesy
hoping to stun him, but it failed, it barely scratched his armor.  Dmitry swung his club
next and hit Jonesy on the back.  Unfortunately all it did was provoke him.  He turned to
Dmitry and took a stab with his sword, it connected and cut his side.  He whenced for a
moment but it was only a scratch.
�Elentari, can you do something to stop him?�  Hearoh called out.
�No, my powers are limited in this cave.  Dmitry, can you be of any help?�
�Should I?  It doesn�t seem wise.�
�It is prophecied.�
�Very well then.�  With a mighty cry Dmitry arched backwards and dropped his
club.  Light tethered to his body and the bolted away like lightening.  A black orb
surrounded him and then grew to a encompass a good portion of the cave.  Then a howl
like from a demon filled the cavern echoing down past where Hearoh could see.  The
black orb disappeared and gradually the beast that Dmitry had become was known.
Large clawed feet and a long tail.  Two wings and smoke billowing out of his snout.  He
had become a dragon.  His brown scales shimmered like they were still new with the
mucus that encased him while in the egg, but he was surely no infant dragon.
�No fair, playing with a dragon, now I have to step in.�  It was Janus, but this time
out loud, at the cave entrance.  Janus walked in calmly, wearing the apparel of a
journeyman Mage.  He tossed off his cloak revealing shimmering silver armor with the
enchanted gleam that Hearoh�s robe had.
�Hearoh, I must leave you, I can be no help here, but I have one last thing for
you.�  Elentari held out his right hand and a staff like Mathias� appeared in his grasp.  He
threw it to Hearoh and said, �Here is your weapon, use it wisely.�
�But I already have a sword.�  Hearoh cried out across the cave trying to top the
dragon�s roars.  Either Elentari didn�t hear him, or he just didn�t want to answer, he
disappeared just as Hearoh finished his statement.  He looked at his staff.  It was simple
and wooden.  He pulled at the end of it revealing his weapon.  The blade of his sword
shown a dark radiance like Elentari did.  It seemed to draw light towards it and then
absorb it leaving only dark.  He closed it back in it�s casing and then set it down.  He
took his sword that was at his side and moved the sheath to his back.  He then took up his
new staff and withdrew the sword again, this time fully.  Waving it around a few times he
found that it was infinitely easier to wield than his other.  The gracefulness that even the
clumsiest maneuvers yielded was stunning.  He looked around at the madness in the cave
and began to see what was really happening.
Everything for Hearoh was in slow motion.  To the others he was just a white blur
as he moved into the fray.  He struck Jonesy at the head and he fell to the ground,
unconscious.  How he knew where to hit him precisely he knew not, but it did not
distress him now.  He turned towards his brother, but instead of hitting him he simply
sheathed his edge and looked him in the eye.
�Yield now, you cannot win against us.�  Hearoh was confident.  A sudden
maturity covered his movements and thoughts.  He was at total peace with everything
around him.
�You are mistaken.  You think I would come ill-prepared?�  He turned to
Jonesy�s crumpled body on the floor.  �Arise, heathen.�  Jonesy stood and returned to his
fighting stance.  Then Janus turned to the rest of the group.  �Concussion wind.�  A fierce
wind blew across the cave and Mathias and Dmitry fell back, knocked out.  Dmitry
turned back into his human form quietly in the background.  
�This is unfair isn�t it?  Two against one.�  Hearoh said, still unworried by the
numbers.
�Sa...Mus...AHHHHHHHH!!!!!�  Jonesy cried out.  He had become confused
when seeing Hearoh, and now was loosing all control he had.  He began swing wildly in
all directions.  Janus and Hearoh both jumped back out of the way.
�Well, this in an interesting turn of events.  I never thought about what would
happen if he saw you alive.�  Janus laughed at his game.  �He is out of my control now,
not even a spell will awaken him.  Better watch out.�
Jonesy lunged at Hearoh, but he dodged.  Then again, and Hearoh dodged again.
Then a third time, but this time he just grabbed Hearoh.  In a gigantic bear hug he
wrestled him to the ground.  Hearoh could not free himself.  Rolling on the hard cave
floor.  The constricting was starting to suffocate him.  The only thoughts that ran through
his head was that he wished Mathias was there to help him.
�You are better than this.  Release your mind as you did when my sword passed
through you.�  Mathias� voice was dim in his head, but still audible.  �I am sorry that I
couldn�t be a better mentor, but my time has passed.  There is still one thing that I can do
for you though, simply call my name and I will come.�  His words echoed out of the
boy�s head.
Samus managed to save enough breath to call out one last word, �Mathias.�
With that Mathias rose and walked over to Jonesy.  He made a downward slice
that cut deep into Jonesy�s arm.  Blood gushed out of the open wound and spilled onto
the cavern floor.  Enraged, the berserker stood and came after Mathias.  He swung his
huge sword with his good arm and sliced open Mathias� chest.  He fell to the floor and
ceased breathing.
Hearoh wanted to scream out, but no words came.  He just lay there in the cave
stunned.
�Looks like you are all alone now.  What are you going to do?  You can�t stand up
to me.  You cannot save yourself.  You are worthless, brother.�
�No, you will not see another day.�  Samus was up and ready to start fighting
again.  He ran to Mathias� side and kneeled down.
Through coughs of blood Mathias spoke, �I can grant you one thing, what is it
that you would like?�
Samus looked around the cave.  First to Dmitry, laying on the ground, out cold.
Then to Jonesy as he stood drooling, regaining his balance after the hit from Mathias.
Soon afterward he looked at his brother, who was smiling at the back of the cavern,
laughing at his brothers weakness and his apparent strength.  And finally back to
Mathias, who lay bleeding to death.  He knew there was only one way he would survive
this fight.
�Grant me a double share of your power.�  Mathias smiled, and disappeared,
leaving only his sword and blood soaked robe behind.  Hearoh took the sword in hand
and unsheathed it.  Then he did the same with the one he was given from Elentari.  The
light from Mathias� contrasted Elentari�s perfectly.  As e ran to Jonesy his body crackled
with energy.  There was no time for the beast to react, it was over before it began.  His
head rolled to the ground and his body fell limp.  Then a flash of light and he was before
his brother.
Words could not sum up the anger that consumed him at that second.  From his
lips came thoughts that were not his, but fit him well.
�You are not worthy.�  Before the sentence was finished his brother�s body was in
pieces on the ground.
With the end of the battle his body gave up.  The power in his soul was no longer
tethered to this world.  His mind flashed with pictures of a ruined world and the one he
would be leaving soon.  He collapsed and darkness surrounded him again.  But where he
went this time, the Prophet could not help him, he was alone.