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Read this file after completing "The Loose End".

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For the third time in his life, Logan had fought the demonic minotaur abomination. But although he had won the battle, the true fight was yet to come.

As the hideous creature is engulfed in a halo of bright lights that flash, it once more changes shape into the human who had willfully transformed himself. Raven Dark is returned to his human form, unharmed. But Logan knew that his foe is still too powerful to attack directly with the dagger yet.

The sorcerer snorts contemptuously as he rises. You are a mistaken fool if you believe I can be defeated so easily Mr. Logan! Besting the master is a far greater challenge than when up against his disciple. If not for your bloodline, you would never have survived the wrath of Garibaldi. And if you recall, I took him down for you. What chance would you have against the master whose servant you could not even kill on your own?

He unsheathes the sword of Judgment. Restoring me to life was only the first of your greatest mistakes. The second was allowing the sword to fall back into my hands. Now your reckless foolishness shall be your undoing and that of this world and all humanity!

He aims the blade at Logan. Silent tendrils of lightning crackle and spiral around the amethyst. Prepare yourself Logan! The time of your reckoning is at hand!
Logan had seen the power of the sword used before. Against several soldiers of the Scourge. On Leoric himself. Penelope herself would have suffered a horrific fate if not for the sorcerers empathy. The same would have happened to Murlock if Raven Dark had not detected his willingness to accept his punishment. And he had seen what was left behind of several guards of Iconoclast. And now it was his turn to face the wrath of the sword.

The sword! He remembered what Murlock had told him about the Blade of Lazarus being able to protect the one who held it from the power of the Sword of Judgment. He had seen it happen during Leorics duel with Raven Dark. Fifteen centuries ago, his ancestor Lazarus had used it in his fateful battle with the sorcerer. Though the sword protected him from the power of the blade, the physical wounds it inflicted upon him still proved fatal in the end.

He unsheathes the Sword of Iconoclast and holds it before him as the mist begins to emerge from the sword. But the power of the sword in his hands is enough to drive it back like smoke blowing in the wind.

Now it looked as if history was about to repeat itself. Just as Lazarus had fought Raven Dark with the weapon he had forged, now his descendant would do battle with that very weapon against the same foe. But Logan had his doubts. What did he know about swordsmanship? The Scourge focused more on guns and long range combat. He had no training with a weapon such as a sword.

All it took was a single swing of the Sword of Judgment to wrench the sword from his grip to confirm his doubts.

How pitiful, said Raven Dark. My most hated foe cannot even wield the very weapon his own ancestor forged.

Logan hears the doors to the throne room open behind him and turns to see Murlock enter, leading Agnes, Janus, Albrecht, and Penelope behind him. All five of them look ready to lend their aid and do battle. 

Murlock eyes the Sword of Iconoclast where it lies upon the floor. A rune glows upon his forehead as he focuses upon it before making motions with his hands as if pulling it towards him. As if by unseen hands, the sword lists itself off the floor and moves towards Murlocks remaining open and expecting hand.

Stand back! he orders the others as the sword comes to rest in his hand.

Logan steps back away from Raven Dark, never taking his eyes off Murlock. Did the old wizard know more about swordsmanship than anyone even knew?

Do you challenge me brother? asked Raven Dark with a malicious sneer. Am I to believe that you are no longer afraid to face me and our father as you were so many centuries ago?

Murlock steps closer towards his brother, a tight grip on the hilt of the Blade of Lazarus. Too much depends on myself and my allies, he said. I will admit that I was afraid to face you back then. But now that I have the power to stop you, I will not hold back.

Logan found himself wondering if Murlock would be a match for Raven Dark. What if he fell in battle and suffered the same death Lazarus had been dealt? If that happened, the magic containing the power of the four elemental swords within the Sword of Darkness would fade away and where there was one blade there would be five.

And to think I thought you were nothing more than a coward short on bravado. Perhaps you have grown much over the years. But even that will not save you or all humanity. In the meantime, I have a few friends for your allies to play with.
Logan watches as the dark sorcerer shuts his eyes. A rune shaped like a closed mouth shines upon his forehead. Do play nice now, wont you? he asked.

One of the windows of the throne room shatters, allowing four gargoyles to fly through. Up above, the skylight shatters, raining shards of broken glass down below. A fifth gargoyle, larger than the others flaps its wings as it takes flight down towards the party of heroes.

Logan sees Penelopes eyes widen in shock at the sight of this gargoyle. You? she gasps.

Penelope, you recognize it? asked Logan.

Her, Penelope says, her eyes narrowing. The very same creature that killed my mother!

The queen? Mate of the alpha male?

Precisely! You all take the other four on. Shes mine! Logan detects no hate in her voice, only angry determination to avenge her mothers death, her way of atoning for her failure to save her mother that fateful evening of Garibaldis curse.

Raven Dark and Murlock by now have begun their duel as the gargoyles begin their attack. For an old man, Murlock certainly knew hold to wield a sword like a master fencer. Logan wondered where he had learned how to handle one. If they survived, he would have to ask.

Of all his allies, Logan found himself more worried about Penelope more than Agnes at the moment. She was a strong woman and a powerful warrior, but if she could not have won against Raven Dark, what would be her chances against the alpha female of the gargoyles under the command of the dark sorcerer.

Penelope charges towards her chosen opponent, her spear ready to exact vengeance in her mothers name. At the same time, the alpha female swoops forwards, her talons look sharp enough to cleave steel. How else could she have defeated Charlotte all those years ago?

While Logan, Agnes, and Janus had guns, Albrecht only had his crossbow. Guns could fire off more rounds before requiring a reload. Albrechts crossbow needed to be reloaded after every shot. Someone needed to cover him and defend him in such a vulnerable state. With Penelope busy fighting the gargoyle queen, someone else would need to take the task.

Albrechts first shot clipped the wings of one of the gargoyles. With one wing damaged, it could no longer fly. But it was no less dangerous. If anything, pain and the disability had only enraged it further.

A shotgun would be more useful if they came closer. The Tommy Gun would help taken them out of the sky if there was greater distance between then and the enemies of their master. Shots from either weapon would buy Albrecht more time to reload. But they had to be careful where they fired. With Murlock and Raven Dark fighting up ahead, there was the chance of hitting Murlock.

The disabled gargoyle lunged at Albrecht with its talons, only to be hit with a direct blast from Logans shotgun. But even two shells worth of buckshot were not enough to kill it. If anything, the shot only drove it staggering back. Quickly reloading another bolt from his quiver, Albrecht fires again, this time with careful aim at the gargoyles neck. The bolt buries itself within the flesh, damaging the beasts ability to breathe. Unable to sustain itself without precious oxygen, it collapses and lies still.

Logan sees Penelope off to the right fighting the gargoyle queen. Just like her mother had been, the female knight is clearly outmatched. Though Penelope is strong with nimble reflexes, her opponents larger size gave her greater strength and her bulk belied a superior agility. Her wings also gave her greater mobility to keep out of range of her foes spear. They had to hurry and finish off the lesser gargoyles quickly, otherwise Penelope would lose. Should that happen, a defeated daughter would join her parents in death, suffering the same fate her mother had.

Logan spots Murlock ahead still engaged in a swordfight with his brother. Unlike Raven Dark who focuses the majority of his attacks directly at his brother, Murlock focuses on the Sword of Judgment.

What is the matter brother? he hears Raven Dark shout over the carnage. Does so much blood stain your hands that you cannot even dare to draw my own?

At least I have the heart not to directly attack my own family, Murlock replied.

Perhaps I was mistaken. Even if the fate of humanity rests upon your shoulders, you cannot bring yourself to do what anyone else would do. How pathetic and weak! Unfortunately for you, even such sentimentality will not save you.

I do not need to strike you down in order to stop you. Even if I die as Lazarus had before me, I will correct the mistakes I made and ensure that you will never wield the powers of judgment ever again!

Agnes shoves the barrels of her shotgun into the mouth of another gargoyle and pulls the trigger. Though the gargoyle quickly closes its jaws upon the gun with enough pressure to dent metal, it is already too late. The explosive blast blows open the back of its head, splattering the area behind it with blood. As the lifeless body falls backward to the floor, Agnes removes her shotgun, only to see that the damage had already been done. Where the teeth had clamped down was a deep crushing dent. With that kind of damage, the gun can no longer fire.

What happened to that gargoyle gives new meaning to the phrase Eat lead!

It matters not even if you and your allies triumph! he hears Raven Dark shout over the carnage. After all that has happened today, the people of this land will have learned never to trust you again brother!

Then that is a burden than I will bear till the end of my days, replied Murlock.

At that moment, Logan sees Penelopes spear slash in an arc before her, cleaving open one side of her opponents face. In retaliation the gargoyle queen lashes out with one taloned hand. But rather than attacking with her talons, she swipes the back of her hand across Penelopes head. The impact connects with such force that the female knight is thrown backward, her helmet falling from her head once more. 

Penelope! Albrecht yells fearfully for her life. Yet he is torn between fighting the other two gargoyles or leaving his allies to their wrath and helping her.

Hurry and help her! Logan shouts.

Well handle these two! said Agnes.

Penelope has barely begun to rise as the gargoyle queen charges at her with both taloned hands ready to strike and rip her to shreds. On her knees, Penelope tightly grips her spear with both hands before her to shield herself. The talons of her enemy swipe down with enough force to cleave through the metal shaft. Penelope can only watch in astonishment and shock as her weapon comes apart, one piece gripped in each hand and the third piece falling to the floor. Without the means to defend herself, defeat seemed imminent and inevitable.

The gargoyle queen suddenly roars in pain and staggers back just as she is about to slash with her talons once more. Logan sees a crossbow bolt buried within one of her eyes. She claws at this unexpected injury, the talons on her fingers prevent her from being able to pull out the bolt. All she accomplishes is opening several scratches down her face. 

At the same time, Penelope takes advantage of this helplessness. Had her foes tail been long enough and the nearest pillar thin enough, she could have tied it around the column and restricted her movements. Instead she seizes the largest two pieces of her broken spear and thrusts the head of the first into the calf of one leg, and the jagged end of the second under one armpit, all in an attempt to weaken her opponent, leaving both pieces embedded in the flesh. Howling in pain as these new injuries are inflicted, the queen swipes at Penelope with one arm and her tail whips out at her face. Grabbing the third piece of her spear and holding it up to protect herself, the female knight finds it quickly knocked out of her grasp. The gargoyle queen is prepared to strike again when her one remaining eye finds Albrecht just as he reloads and takes aim yet again.

No! Penelope cries. As the gargoyle queen outstretches her wings and lunges at the watchman, Logan sees that the injuries afflicted upon her are beginning to take their toll. Her movements and reactions are slowing. Penelope grabs her tail and pulls with all her might in a desperate attempt to save Albrecht from being harmed or worse.

Logan meanwhile helps both Janus and Agnes fight the remaining two gargoyles. Seeing that they are outnumbered, the gargoyles take flight up into the air to stay out of reach of their shotguns. With her shotgun damaged beyond repair, Agnes takes out her Tommy Gun and fires up into the air at the beasts. One person firing off a Tommy Gun would not be enough, but if the three of them fired together, the flying bullets would be harder to dodge. 

The gargoyles swoop down at their opponents from all angles, talons ready to strike. But Agnes maintains a steady aim as do Logan and Janus. Finally one of them plummets to the floor after one of Agnes bullets strike a wing. As it struggles to pick itself up from the impact, weakened from falling a great distance, Janus charges forward with his shotgun ready and pulls the trigger after putting the barrels to its head. Two shells of buckshot explode in a cloud of smoke against the flesh of the creature, mixed with blood splattering from the shattered skull.

Up ahead, Logan sees Janus pause as he watches the duel between the two brothers near the thrones. The last of the gargoyles flaps its wings high up above them, using its talons to sever the chain holding up the chandelier. Seizing the broken chain within its mouth, it carries the freed chandelier over to where Penelope and Albrecht are fighting the gargoyle queen. Penelope is still maintaining a tight grip on her tail, making fancy footwork as the queen slashes at her. To Logan it almost looked as if they were dancing. Albrecht is taking careful aim with his crossbow. Yet fear of accidentally hitting Penelope makes him hesitant to fire. However, he sees the final gargoyle hover above Penelope, ready to drop the chandelier on the head.

Watch out Penelope! he yells pointing up above her.

Penelope becomes aware of the shadow surrounding her and looks up to see the gargoyle release its cargo by opening its mouth. She releases the tail of the gargoyle queen and leaps backward. The enraged creature lunges at her ready to pounce upon her opponent, only to unwittingly fly into the path of the falling chandelier. The sound of a metallic crash rends the air as it makes impact with the upper portion of her body and pins her to the floor. It is almost hard to determine if she is out cold or dead.

Albrecht takes the opportunity to shoot his readied bolt at the final gargoyle in the air after it dropped the chandelier. The missile buries itself within the skull of the beast and it falls to the floor with a crash. Logan wondered if the beast died thinking it had accidentally aided the enemies of its master.
At that moment, both Murlock and Raven Dark swing their swords with such ferocity, the resultant clang echoes throughout the throne room. The Sword of Iconoclast flies out of Murlocks grasp and skids along the floor spinning like a wheel towards Logan.

Raven Dark sneers triumphantly. Was there ever any doubt? You trained only in mind brother. He kicks one leg out with enough force to throw Murlock to the floor. But I am the master of both mind and body. Even Lazarus himself proved a more worthy foe! Raven Dark approaches, his sword ready to taste blood once more. He places one boot upon Murlocks back as the old wizard pushes himself up, and forces him back to the floor, pinning him and leaving him helpless. Time has robbed you of your strength brother. And now, your time has run out!

Logan knew he had to act. He had to somehow free Murlock and get the sword out of Raven Darks grasp. And the best way to do that is a sudden impact to knock the sorcerer off balance. Just as he is about to charge forward, Penelope runs past him towards the sorcerer. Obviously she had the same idea.

Raven Dark is so intent on finally taking his vengeance against his brother that he fails to detect the charging female warrior. He raises his sword above him with both hands. Before he can thrust downward, Penelope slams the strength of her body against the sorcerer, tackling him to the floor. The connection forces him off Murlock and sends the sword flying out of Raven Darks grasp, sliding and spinning across the floor behind where he once stood.

Perhaps it was better that Penelope did what Logan had planned. After all, she was much physically stronger than Logan. Now she would have her chance to play a part in the sorcerers downfall and avenge her fathers death. But there is no sign of a weapon anywhere in her possession.

Murlock uses a spell to magically seize the Sword of Judgment and pull it towards him with its blade pointing to his body. Logan realized that Murlock was planning to use his magic to impale himself the Sword of Judgment and sacrifice himself to destroy the power of the sword. Raven Dark must have realized this as well judging from how he effortlessly forced himself up, shoving Penelope off his body. Judging from the rune glowing on his forehead and the distance she is flung before landing and rolling across the floor, he had used magic to free himself. No matter how strong or heavy the weight that pinned him to the floor, with that single spell, he would be able to free himself.

Raven Dark uses the same spell his brother uses to seize his sword. The blade hovers in the air once more caught between two spells of equal strength. Raven Dark desperately attempts to keep his brother from destroying its power with his willing sacrifice. All Logan and his allies could do was watch the spectacle before them. Logan reaches into his pocket for the Dagger of Lazarus, ready to use it when the time comes. Apparently that time is upon him. He also sees Albrecht load a bolt into his crossbow and take aim at Raven Dark, prepared to fire and strike the sorcerer in hopes of weakening his spell and allowing Murlock to gain the upper hand.

Murlock, seeing that the swords movement is halted, begins to walk towards the blades tip. What is he doing? Albrecht says as he lowers his crossbow.

Murlock no! Logan shouted. You should not have to sacrifice yourself!

I have brought this upon my own head Logan, said Murlock ruefully.

But you have done great good for this land and its people!

And I have also done great harm.

As have I, Logan heard Janus speak remorsefully. Before Logan could stop him, Janus runs ahead in the direction of Murlock.

I put all humanity in grave danger as well, said Murlock. It is only right that I accept my judgment.

Raven Dark makes motions of pulling backward with both hands in desperation. But Murlock does the same with one hand as he steps closer towards the blade. Just as he it about to take the final step to impale himself, Janus shoves him forward with all his strength and seizes the hilt of the sword with both hands. The tight grip upon the sword is necessary due to Murlocks spell being canceled while Raven Darks is still active.

Raven Dark only smiles in reply. But whether it was out of gratitude for stopping Murlock or the belief that Janus intends to rejoin his side, Logan could not tell. But Logan suspected what Janus intends to do.

Murlock, having been thrown off his feet by Janus towards the thrones, pushes himself up and turns his head towards Janus holding the Sword of Judgment. Logan sees that he is worried that Raven Dark will reclaim the sword.

You cannot judge humanity for its sins! said Janus brazenly. This power is not yours to control! There will come a time when Judgment Day falls upon mankind, but that time will not be today!

Judging from the look on the face of the old wizard, Logan believes that Murlock has the same suspicions as to what Janus will do next.

Only our god the father up in heaven can pass judgment on humanity, Janus goes on. Only he can judge the soul and heart of man. You believe mankind does not deserve its own existence. But humanity can still be redeemed. My actions this evening have proven it!

Logan sees Albrecht nod his head as if accepting that he is telling the truth.
Raven Dark glares towards Janus, now seeing that he is not his ally, but his enemy almost as much as Logan. The actions of one cannot atone for the sins of many! he shouts. A familiar rune glows on his forehead as a magical force seizes the sword in Janus hands. They will all pay! You first!

No! Logan exclaims. Raven Dark motions with his joined hands to manipulate the the Sword of Judgment as if he were a man preparing to commit suicide with a knife to the heart. Logan can only watch helplessly as the amethyst blade in Janus hands points its tip towards the one holding the hilt held high and thrusts itself into the chest of his friend. Janus stoically refuses to fight the magical force driving the sword. Unlike Leoric he made no attempt to struggle against the unseen force as the sword prepares to taste human blood. He falls to his knees as blood begins to flow down from the wound.

It should be me! Murlock shouted. This should be my fate!

What happens next confirms what Logan suspected Janus planned to do ever since their time trapped within the secret chamber behind the fireplace in the War Room of the Iconoclast castle. Janus, still gripping the hilt of the sword, is engulfed in a familiar mist. Raven Dark has only stepped forward to reclaim his weapon, but stops in his tracks at the sight of Janus using the power of the sword upon himself. He stares in astonishment, as if refusing to believe what his eyes showed him, a human showing remorse for his actions and willing to accept his punishment.

Janus no! Logan shouts as he hurries towards his friend.

No Logan! Janus says weakly. Stay back!

Logan stares down his friend in horror. Was he doomed to suffer the same internal afflictions Leoric had? 

Why Janus? asked Penelope. Why must you sacrifice yourself?

For everything I have done, Janus said, his weak smile belying the torment his body suffers on the inside. But mostly...for Priscilla...and my children.
Raven Dark only sneers. This changes nothing in the eyes of humanity! Mankind could ever forgive crimes against itself.

Janus smiles with satisfaction before he removes his hands from the hilt and the mist fades away. Logan knew at that moment that his friend would not live to see the next day. With a look of disgust, Raven Dark pulls the sword out of Janus chest and kicks him backward onto his back. What a waste to throw your life away like that! 

Logan feels his blood begin to boil with the same level of anger he felt the eve Katrina died. The anger that had consumed him since that fateful evening. The same anger Draven felt when Fiona died. He may have done terrible things, he shouted, but he was still my friend you bastard!

In response, Raven Dark raises the sword towards him. Then you can join him! A vicious roar suddenly rends the air. Logan looks aside to see that the gargoyle queen has freed herself from underneath the fallen chandelier, the bulk of her body giving her strength. The rest of your friends shall soon follow after my servant disposes of them! Raven Dark adds.

Penelope seizes the Sword of Iconoclast from where it lay and prepares herself to continue the fight as the gargoyle queen lunges towards her. Stand back! she orders Agnes and Albrecht. Only she alone has the strength to fight the queen in melee combat, even if her foe has superior strength and agility. Though the alpha female had suffered injuries severe enough to killer her lesser kin, her instincts still ruled and they order her to destroy her enemies. The air is soon filled with the sounds of the queen roaring, the battle cries of Penelope, the strings of a  crossbow letting loose bolts, and bullets fired in rapid succession.

Logan glares back towards Raven Dark. But his anger is tempered with a sense of smug bravado. If what Murlock said back in the secret chamber was true, he had nothing to fear  if the power of the sword had been neutralized. If only Raven Dark knew that the sword would refuse to unleash the power of his malicious intent. Though the dark sorcerer intended to destroy his foe, the sword would refuse to obey. It was as if he had used up all three wishes with a genie he had control over. There would be no need for him to pick up the Sword of Iconoclast in order to protect him.

As he predicted, nothing happened. There were no tendrils of lightning dancing around the blade. No eruption of mist. Raven Darks smirk at the moment of triumph over the man he hated more than his brother turns upside down as he holds up the blade. No! he gasped. It cannot be!

Logan sees Murlocks face beaming with relief, joy, and triumph at the realization that the power of the sword had been broken forever. The weapon forged by the tyrannical wizard king forty centuries ago no longer possessed the terrible magic it had been imbued with.

There is a difference...between you...and the gods, Janus groans. The anger of  the gods...can be appeased! 

Raven Dark glares down at Janus with a look of pure hatred as if an unforgivable sin had been committed against him. 

Logan turns towards where the fight with the gargoyle queen continues. Her talons rake the Sword of Iconoclast out of the grasp of Penelope. She then slashes downward with both talons, but Penelope quickly seizes both arms with her gauntlet covered hands. Both are locked together in unarmed melee combat as Penelope struggles to hold back the queen away from Agnes and Albrecht.

Even with all the injuries the beast has suffered, her strength is superior to Penelopes, and it is only a matter of time before the female knights own strength gives out. Slowly and gradually, Penelope is being pushed backward, her greaves sliding back upon the floor. They would have to finish off the beast quickly or they would be overwhelmed.

Though she is battered and bloody, the alpha female of the gargoyle pack is still powerful enough to destroy the enemies of her master. Already she had absorbed four bolts from Albrechts crossbow and many bullets from Agnes Tommy Gun, and still she shows no signs of weakening further. 

It matters not if the sword is no longer enchanted with the wrath of the gods, said Raven Dark. My own strength will give it the power to destroy my most hated enemies!

Tightly gripping the Sword of Judgment, Raven Dark draws the sword back, preparing to swing with all his strength at Logan. Give my regards to Lazarus when you meet him in the afterlife.

What could Logan do? He could not take out the dagger and attack with it now. He would only be cut down where he stood like a tree before he could stab. Behind Raven Dark, he sees Murlock use a spell to seize the Sword of Iconoclast from where it lay before manipulating it to swing in an arc at the amethyst blade.
The sound of crystal shattering as the blade of the sword in Raven Darks grasp explodes into hundreds of small shards. Pieces of amethyst fly in all directions, raining upon the floor, leaving the sorcerer holding nothing more than the silver hilt. Only a single jagged shard of what was once the blade of the most feared weapon in the land remains.

Raven Dark stares down what is left of his weapon, horrified at what has happened, eyes wide with shock and his mouth open. No! he gasps.

Murlock cancels out the spell, allowing the sword to fall to the floor with a clatter. Without magic, any enchanted weapon cannot sustain itself.

Logan found himself barely able to hold back a smile. Lacking its enchantment, the sword didnt even have the durability to withstand a single strike from another weapon, or even impact with anything solid.

He suddenly hears Penelope cry out as she loses her balance and stumbles backward over the fallen chandelier losing her grasp on the arms of her opponent. The gargoyle queen pounces on her fallen opponent, her talons ready to rake grievous wounds. Though Penelope is able to once more seize the arms to halt her attack, lying flat on her back, she is now more vulnerable.

Raven Darks face contorts with rage at the destruction of the sword he had only just earlier been reunited with as he whirls on his brother. Do you realize what youve done? he yells. Even though his sword has been destroyed, he maintains a grip on the hilt as if still unwilling to part with it. Even in its current state, it could still be a lethal weapon.

Raven Darks eyes narrow as his gauntlet covered hands tighten into fists. No matter! He lunges at his brother and throws one fist forward.

Logan finds himself torn between aiding Murlock or his other allies. Then he hears the sound of a click as Agnes gun as it runs out of ammo. Judging from the look of horror and worry on her face, Logan realizes that she is out of ammo to load it with. And with her shotgun useless, she is defenseless. And Albrechts quiver is almost empty. Other than the bolt loaded within his crossbow, he only has one left. Both have to be used sparingly and wisely, with Albrecht trying to decide when to use them. And Penelope continues to strain her muscles holding back the talons of the queen.

Logan made his choice at that moment. He would quickly do his part to help his allies take down the gargoyle queen and then deal with Raven Dark. He reaches into his pocket and his hands close around his one remaining bundle of dynamite. If gunshots and bolts were not enough to bring her down, then perhaps an internal explosion would do the trick. But they would get only one chance. He knew Albrecht and Penelope had experience with the danger and power of dynamite from their battles with the Scourge. Agnes had not been trained in the use of dynamite because he believed it was too dangerous. All three of them would need to work together to use it to take down the queen once and fore all.

A quick look towards the fallen chandelier reveals that most of the burning candles have been extinguished. But a few remain alight.

Turning back, he sees Raven Dark pummeling Murlock with his fists. Murlock is unable to defend himself as he is driven back by the attacks of his advancing brother. Though he attempts to take hold of the Sword of Iconoclast to defend himself, it is difficult for him to focus a spell when under constant attack. Raven Dark uppercuts with such force that Murlock is thrown to the floor.

Catch Agnes! he shouts as he removes his final dynamite bundle from the pocket and tosses it in her direction. As she takes it into her hands, Logan quickly explained the plan. Light the fuse on one of the few burning candles on the chandelier. You and Albrecht weaken the queen further so Penelope can shove the bundle down its throat and she can get away to safety! He also tosses her his shotgun. Take this! You will need it more than I will.

What will you do? she asked.

I must stop Raven Dark or he will not only kill Murlock, he could summon more gargoyles to aid him. We would be overwhelmed!

Raven Dark swiftly kicks his brother with enough force to send him sliding across the floor for several feet. All the people youve murdered, Raven Dark taunts scornfully, training Fiona in the ways of magic. Then again, who truly is keeping count?

Murlock wipes the blood flowing down from his split lip. He spits blood off to the side. I am, he replies, great guilt and remorse in his voice.

I know, Raven Dark says mockingly. He seizes his brother by the neck and forces him up off the floor so his feet no longer touch solid ground. As is every history book ever written in this world! And history does not forget...or forgive.

He readies what is left of the Sword of Judgment. Though it resembles more of a dagger than as a sword at the moment, the single jagged crystal still attached to the hilt is more than capable of slicing through flesh and severing a major artery.

Once you are out of the picture, reinforcements shall end the threat of your remaining allies. Then there will be nothing to stop my crusade against humanity! Logan sees the familiar rune shaped like a closed mouth appear on his forehead.
He is summoning reinforcements. I have to act! It is now or never!

Without hesitation, he takes out the obsidian dagger. It was now time to finish the work of his ancestor. The memory of Janus and his sacrifice still boiled his blood and churned his stomach with rage. He is putting a stop to the war once and for all. He lunges at Raven Dark, ready to end the threat of the sorcerer. But Raven Dark senses the attack and whirls on him, tossing his brother aside and seizing the arm holding the dagger, preventing Logan from stabbing him. Though Logan sees that the rune has faded away, he feared he was already too late.

What is this? Raven Dark asked as he eyes the dagger. Could it be? It is! The very same dagger Lazarus planned to use to imprison me! How unfortunate that his descendant will never finish his work and succeed where he never had the chance! A cruel smirk spreads over his face. It should be considered it a blessing that he will never know that his creation will now seal the fate of this world and all humanity!

Logan feels his arm being twisted and forced back. He curses himself for not attempting to weaken his enemy by wounding him with the Sword of Iconoclast. He feels his own muscles ache under the force of the strength of the opposition. Now he finds himself staring at the tip of the dagger pointing straight towards him.
Logan sees Agnes has lit the fuse of the dynamite on one of the remaining alight candles of the chandelier. She rolls it along the floor towards Penelope who is still at the mercy of the gargoyle queen. Her muscles are beginning to strain from holding back her talons. But now the queen herself has opened her mouth and bends forward and down to inflict a final fatal wound with her jaws.

Albrecht fires off one of his two remaining bolts at one of the queens arms in a desperate attempt to weaken her grip and buy Penelope some time. The result is just as he had hoped as the queens arm goes limp. Shoving it aside with the hand clutching it, Penelope reaches out and seizes the burning bundle of dynamite. The fuse by now is more than halfway towards the sticks. Time was running out.
Penelope shoves the stick of dynamite into the queens open mouth. Agnes then presses the barrels of the shotgun to the beasts side and pulls the trigger, unloading both shells loaded into the shotgun. As the gargoyle lifts her body up, roaring in agony, Murlock uses a spell to seize her body and pull her off of Penelope who seizes the opportunity to roll away to safety. Agnes backs away to a safe distance.

Only a couple more seconds pass before an explosion shakes the area. Encased in such a small area, the exploding dynamite completely blows up the skull, showering the surrounding area with blood and brain matter. As the headless corpse of the now lifeless beast falls forward, everyone hears someone or something scream No! long and loud in anger and sorrow.

As he continues to struggle with Raven Dark over the dagger, he looks up at the broken skylight above to see several more gargoyles perched as if waiting to attack. The largest of them is peering down at the corpse of the queen. Could it be that he was the alpha male of the entire species?

Was it he who screamed that single word? How is it possible that these creatures are actually capable of speech? And why do they choose not to use this ability in the presence of humans...except this one time?

A gallant attempt! Raven Dark sneers. But not good enough! You were doomed to failure from the very beginning once you made yourself my enemy!

Why are the gargoyles not attacking? Why are they not aiding their master? Could it be that the death of their queen has weakened their morale?

And so ends the legacy of Lazarus! Raven Dark shouts triumphantly as he readies what is left of the Sword of Judgment. Logan feels his own strength about to give out. Should that happen, humanity was doomed. Would he be stabbed by both the broken amethyst blade and the obsidian dagger? Would the broken blade inflict enough pain wherever it strikes to deliver enough pain to weaken him and allow the dagger to be used against him?

To his surprise, Logan sees a magical force seize the Sword of Iconoclast and lift it off the force. From behind the dark sorcerer, he sees the diamond blade thrust itself forward into his right leg. Raven Dark cries out in pain and turns his head to see who had dared to attack him from behind.

You? he roars in rage.

Murlock stands with a familiar rune glowing on his head. Logan is surprised by what he had done. And to think Murlock lacked the heart to draw the blood of his own brother, much less use the dagger himself.

But if Murlock intended to weaken Raven Dark in any way, he had failed. He still maintained his grip on Logans arm clutching the dagger. At least Garibaldi could finally quench his thirst for revenge on his former master who had left him for dead.

The sound of a crossbow string releasing the tension built up is heard as Albrect lets loose his final bolt. It flies true to his target and buries itself in the shoulder connected to the arm clutching Logans own and inciting a shout of pain from the lips of Raven Dark. But it is still not enough, even if Logan feels slight relief on his own muscles as his enemys strength in that arm begins to weaken from the fresh wound.

Penelope charges forward with a mighty battle cry from behind the sorcerer and buries the head of her spear underneath the arm. Her broken weapon is able to taste blood for the last time as she inflicts a wound of her own in retribution for her fathers death.

Logan feels the pressure on his arm die away. The wound Penelope had inflict had done its job and given him the chance he needed to overcome Raven Darks strength.

Do it for Garibaldi! Do it for Janus! Do it for Katrina! Do it for all mankind!

Using his other arm to grant himself more strength, Logan seizes the weakened limb of his enemy. Here is your retribution! he shouts as he quickly twists the arm, he thrusts the dagger down and forward,  burying its blade near the pelvis. The pearl begins to sparkle and shine as if reflecting sunlight.

The Scourge always believed Garibaldis memory demanded vengeance. Now at long last he shall have it!

A pained look of surprise paints the face of Raven Dark as the dagger is plunged into his flesh and he drops what remains of his own weapon. Logan steps back as Penelope pulls out her spearhead and Murlock removes the Sword of Iconoclast. Agnes and Albrecht approach to see what will happen next, with Albrecht standing next to Penelope.

Raven Dark takes the hilt of the dagger into his hand and attempts to pull it out, but he cannot. For some unknown reason, the dagger refuses to allow itself to be removed as if it had developed a will of its own. It reminded Logan of the legends of Arthur succeeding in pulling Excalibur out of the stone when all others could not.

What was the curse that would soon overwhelm and imprison Raven Dark, hopefully for all eternity. Lazarus would never see it happen. Now his descendant and his friends would have the chance.

Then he sees why the dagger refuses to budge. The area where it had been embedded has been transmogrified into solid rock. Even the black leather covering the flesh beneath has hardened into stone. Like a contagious plague, it slowly and gradually spreads in all directions. It is only a matter of time before his entire body becomes a statue.

Logan found himself unable to hold back a smile at the irony. The power of the Sword of Darkness where Raven Darks spirit had been imprisoned had turned everyone save Murlock into stone a thousand years ago. Now, Raven Dark is about to suffer the same fate. One which hopefully would last for all eternity.

What...what have you done to me? Raven Dark gasps.

Just giving you a taste of your own curse! Logan replied. By now, one leg has been transformed into solid rock and his second leg is now stone above the knee. But dont worry. I am certain that the pigeons of this land will appreciate this gift! He chuckles at his own sarcastic statement.

Raven Dark glares at him maliciously. You think you have won this day Logan? You are mistaken! So long as my strength of my anger, hate, and bitterness thrives within my soul, I will never rest. Someday, mankinds greed and ignorance will set me free. Someday I shall return and gather new followers to extinguish the life of all humanity. But by that time, not even you will be able to stop me! For when that day comes, you will have withered with age and died!

Now the curse has only his head left to solidify. He looks towards Albrecht and Penelope. Despite his predicament, there is no joy on her face. Nor is there anger, disgust, and hate. Whatever satisfaction she feels from seeing him suffer retribution for her fathers death is not there. He gives both her and Albrecht a sad envious smile as if showing jealousy for the fact that they still had each other, successfully keeping each other alive, while he is alone. Only mere moments later does the curse become complete and he is nothing more than a stone statue, with the dagger still lodged near his pelvis. Once he is completely transformed into stone, the pearl grows dim once more.

Looking upward, Logan sees that most of the other gargoyles have taken flight in retreat at the defeat of their master. Only the alpha male remains. He glides down into the chamber towards the remains of his mate. Logan and his allies could only watch as the gargoyle king scoops up the corpse of his queen, growling in sadness. Logan sees a look of remorse on the face of Penelope. Though she is satisfied at having avenged her mother and atoned for her failure that evening, the emotion brought by her success is tempered with regret that she had played a part in the death of something held dear to another.

As the gargoyle king outstretches his wings, he glares angrily with teeth clenched in the direction of Albrect, Penelope, Agnes, and Logan as if to say, I do not know how, but someday I will take repayment for this in your blood! With a final growl, this one of hatred and vindictive fury, he begins to flap his wings and flies out one of the broken windows, carrying the lifeless and headless body of what had been his queen.

In the silence of the throne room, it soon dawned on Logan that it was over. They had won. The long war had at finally ended. The Scourge had been defeated. Raven Dark, their true founder and the master to whom Garibaldi had sold his soul to all those centuries ago, the man responsible for so much since that time is now nothing more than a stone statue, cursed by the dagger forged and enchanted by Lazarus. At long last, Lazarus work was complete. Garibaldi had finally taken his vengeance against the master who had betrayed him and left him for dead a mere two months ago. His sword had been destroyed. All the mistakes Logan had made were finally corrected.

But though he should have been elated at his victory, his joy is tempered by the fact that Janus had sacrificed himself to save the world and strip Raven Dark of the power to judge humanity. He turned to where Janus lay upon the floor near the thrones. He sees Janus chest rise and fall repeatedly and slowly. Though he is still alive, he is not long for this world.

Leaving his allies behind he hurried over to where Janus lay. The horrendous wound left by the sword being thrust into his chest and pulled out by Raven Dark is the first thing he lays eyes upon. The front of his clothes are completely stained with blood, a puddle of the precious life fluid slowly spreads around him after draining from his body. The image before him is too familiar; reminding him of Katrinas bloodied body following her execution. But not only that, it reminds him of Garibaldis final moments after thrusting the Sword of Iconoclast into his own chest. Just as Garibaldi had imbued the sword with his soul to grant it the power to combat the power of the Sword of Judgment, Janus had sacrificed himself to destroy the power of the ancient blade. The monks of Arcanius, descendants of the tiny handful of survivors from Judgiollas had spent their lives preventing it from falling into the wrong hands. Now all that remained of it was a silver hilt with a single shard and amethyst pieces scattered around the floor.

He hears the footsteps of his allies behind him as he gets down on his knees. 
Seeing Janus like this reminds him of the final moments he shared with Katrina. Whatever time they had left together had to be spent wisely. Whatever grievances they still had about everything that happened in the past had to be settled.

Janus..., he starts, struggling to find the words to say. Words that he knew would be the last he ever spoke to his friend. It is over. We have won. The Scourge are history. Raven Dark has been defeated once more. Humanity has been spared a terrible fate.

Janus only looks up at him, a slight smile on his lips, belying the anguish of his body. I know. I saw everything that happened. You wouldnt be here at my side if you hadnt succeeded.

Victory did not come without a price.

Who could have known that one man could make all the difference between our salvation and our ruin? asked Janus. You should feel very proud of yourself for what you have accomplished. He slightly flinches as if a sudden new pain has taken effect.

If anybody made all the difference between victory and defeat, it was you. Logan eyes the wound afflicting his friend. Does it hurt? he asked.

Indeed. But even it cannot compare to the greater pain of Priscillas condemning words the previous night in my cell. When your Katrina died, she had you at her side. Someone who loved her and she died loving you. But I? My love died years ago and her soul has forsaken me. I have no one.

Agnes walks around his body and gets down on one knee opposite of Logan. Youre not the only one who lost someone, she said. I lost my father. Logan expects her to mention how she had been abandoned by the man she loved years ago, but she does not. She remains silent on the subject.

As have I, said Penelope.

Yet you have Albrecht by your side, said Janus tilting his head towards her. 
You found love during this war. He turns to Agnes. And you...you found friendship. You found new purpose. Though I am grateful for the chance fate gave me to atone for what I have done, in the end, none of it matters if none of my loved ones are awaiting my arrival. I die a lonely broken man, just as Garibaldi had.

If it is any consolation, said Albrecht, we could not have won without your help.

The greatest heroes make the greatest sacrifices for the greater good, said Penelope. I am certain that what you have done for us will not be forgotten.

Nor shall all the terrible things I have done, said Janus. My people back home  will only remember me for something I never did. They believe me to be a killer. They believe that they have been cheated justice after my disappearance. They will never know the truth. For me...that is just as well if my time is short. My vengeance against the true killer is complete.

Even after all I have done this day, I know that history will still remember my crimes against this world. Crimes for which I know I have been justly punished for. The power of the sword has finally granted the people of this land the justice they deserved. He looks towards Murlock. It is not yet your time ancient one. You have done much greater good for this world your life. And you should not have had the chance to throw away a future of continuing to do good. I deserved this punishment more than you actually did.

Murlock remains silent as if unable to find the words to agree or disagree.

But its not enough that Claudio is dead and I lay here dying. Now that Priscilla knows of all the terrible things I have done, how can she expect to rest in peace? What if even the sacrifice I made is not enough to reunite with her and the family we would have made together?

Only one way to find out, said Logan. He takes out the Ring of Lazarus and sets it on the floor close to the feet of his friend. As he does this, Logan pondered what Raven Dark had said about humanity being unable to forgives crimes against itself. What if he was right?

Janus softly speaks the name of his deceased wife. Once more he is engulfed by the rosy sparkling lights. Once more her spirit materializes. The ghostly apparition looks down upon his form. She appears to be confused about what has happened to him. Why she had been summoned before him again.

Janus? What s happened to you?

Logan knew that he would have to tell Priscilla the truth about what had happened. If she did not believe Janus, perhaps other witnesses could be more credible.

He sacrificed himself to save us, said Agnes. Just as she had helped saved the relationship between Kain and Gwendolyn, now she is doing her part to mend the rift separating Janus and Priscilla.

Priscilla looks surprised as if not expecting to hear that a man she had condemned as a killer had saved others through an act of selflessness. Logan wondered if it would be enough to appease her and win forgiveness.

I know our God up in heaven has already forgiven me, said Janus, as he forgives all our sins. Because of his love for us. I do not expect you to forgive my past actions in service of Garibaldi. I know I have done the unforgivable. But it wasnt until I heard your words in my cell last night that I knew I had gone too far. Janus coughs as a tear trickles down his eye. I have done what I could to atone...for everything. I am so...so sorry...my love.

Priscilla looks down upon him before stepping forward. Logan moves out of the way to give her some room. She kneels at his side and leans over to stroke his face. Logan wondered if Janus could actually feel the touch of his wifes hand upon his own. Watching her, Logan felt envious at the sight of a mans wife touching him in any manner, affectionately or playfully. The scene before him also reminds him of how he held Katrina in his arms that one final time before she died.

Finally, Priscilla speaks. Were waiting for you Janus. Myself and our children.
Janus looks up at her with eyes gleaming. But his joy is tinged with concern. 
Did...did you tell them about...what I have done?

Priscilla shakes her head. I did not. I decided that it was for the best that they never knew.

I believe you.

And I believe you when you said you were sorry for everything. You regret your actions. And you gave yourself for everyone. That is the mark of the man I married.

Janus smiles weakly. Thank you...my love.

The children deserve to know their father and what kind of man he was, said Priscilla. Let us go together to them.

I will, said Janus. But first, I must say my goodbyes to my friend.

Dont keep the children waiting long. With those final words, Priscillas form vanishes as does the light engulfing the area. The Ring of Lazarus becomes dim once more. Logan closes the box and replaces it back into his pocket.

Janus remains smiling as if this new encounter with his wife s spirit had lifted a great burden from his shoulders. All his fears and worries about being alone in the afterlife were for naught. Through his sacrifice and the acceptance of his judgment, he had found redemption.

Logan, he says, his voice beginning to weaken as if his time is running out.

I m here Janus, said Logan kneeling by his side again.

There is no greater tragedy than the loss of the ones you love. But some good did come out of my happiness being cut short. I never would have found a friend like you. Janus coughs again. To think that I considered you my enemy, whom I hated more so than Claudio. Now I want you to know that I am grateful for the time we had together this last day.

So am I.

And I am grateful for this final gift you gave me. I appreciate it almost as much as the chance I was given for redemption. Though I regret the direction my life has taken since her death, I do not regret that my life should end as it has.

And I regret that our newfound mutual friendship has been so short.

I know. But at least I spared you the emotional burden of ending my life. You would have never forgiven yourself.

So true, said Logan. He notices that the rise and fall of Janus chest is beginning to slow as if his heartbeat is decreasing. His time is short.

What an incredible distance we have traveled together, said Janus. However, I can no longer accompany you on the journey. He takes a deep breath as if yawning, ready to sleep for all eternity, and slowly closes his eyes. For now...I need...my rest.

Logan looks away from the face of his friend and watches the chest as it continues to slow in movement. He hears Janus take several soft breaths through his nostrils. Then he hears nothing. The chest falls once more, but this time it does not rise again. He knew at that moment that Janus is gone. Raven Dark had claimed his final victim.

Logan sees Agnes lower her head in solemn respect. Her hears a clatter behind him as Penelopes spearhead falls from her grasp. He feels movement behind him and turns to see Murlock, Penelope, and Murlock get down on their knees with their heads lowered. He turns back to the now lifeless body of his friend and lowers his head.

God have mercy.

Several moments of silence pass before the doors to the throne room finally burst open. Captain Penelope! a voice shouts.

Logan senses Penelope rise to her feet to meet the new arrivals. But he is unable to look away from the body of Janus. His friend deserved much better. No doubt, the people of the land would celebrate the victory over the Scourge. But would they have cause to celebrate Janus death when they heard of what he had done for them?

What is the situation? Penelope asked.

The remaining Scourge troops have fallen. There are no survivors among the enemy army. They chose to kill themselves than allow us to take them prisoner. What is your situation? Where is Raven Dark?

See that statue over there? asked Penelope. Thats all that remains of him.

Be careful with that statue, said Murlock. Do not try to dislodge the pearl within the hilt of the dagger embedded within the stone.

A moment of silence passes before Logan hears the voice of another guard. What has happened here?

Janus sacrificed himself to destroy the power of the Sword of Judgment, said Murlock. The sword itself has been shattered and will never again threaten mankind.

We have won the war, said Penelope. We must return to Iconoclast and report our victory to the king and queen. The people are surely waiting for us.

You all go on ahead, said Murlock. I will return this castle to where it belongs. Activate the teleportation stone to return yourselves to the castle. But do not take the stone into your hands or the remainder of us will be unable to return.

I need volunteers to help transport Janus body down below, said Penelope. Who will take him back?

Logan hears footsteps approach him from behind. He watches as two guards pick up the body of his friend, one by the feet, and the other by the arms and lift him off the floor. Even then, Logan does not rise to his feet. The weight of his grief is too much to bear.

First Katrina, now Janus. I lost the love of my life. Now my closest friend. What will I do without them?

He sees Agnes stand and approach him slowly before she takes his hands into her own. She helps him up to his feet. Logan, everyone is waiting for you, she said. Everyone is waiting for the return of their hero.

Im no hero. Janus is the real hero.

He watches as the two guards carrying the body of Janus touch and activate the power of the teleportation stone in Murlocks hand. The guard holding the corpse by the arms takes one of them and helps the lifeless hand rub the stone. All three of them disappear into the resultant light pillar engulfing them.

Once all the remaining guards who had joined the siege against the castle had taken their leave through the stones power, Albrecht and Penelope took their turn. Agnes went next. Logan was the last person left other than Murlock.

They are waiting for you Logan, said Murlock.

Logan hesitates, staring at the stone. He turns his gaze towards the statue of Raven Dark and his eyes find the shards of the Sword of Judgment.

Murlock..., he struggles to find the words to say.

I understand, said Murlock. We both made terrible errors of judgment during this war, even if we had no other choice in the matters. We both helped play a part in the return of Raven Dark. We both indirectly played a role in returning his sword to him. But now we have corrected those mistakes. I hate to think what could have happened if we had failed. The one thing we can take comfort in is that he never found another artifact of the past he had in his possession.

The Obsidian of Souls.

Exactly.

Murlock, I read in the journal of Lazarus that the stone is in the possession of the Iconoclast royal family.

It was...once. Murlock shook his head. Not anymore.

Then where?

We will discuss this later. Murlock eyes the statue of his brother warily. I hate to talk about its location in the presence of my brother, even if he is now nothing more than just a statue.

What I would like to know is, why did you you stab him? I thought you lacked the heart to spill his blood.

The fate of all mankind was at stake, the old wizard states regretfully, I had no choice. I could not allow sentimentality to impair my judgment. I had a chance to do something to prevent the unthinkable and I would not let it pass.

How did you get to be so skilled in swordsmanship?

You forget my friend. I had the Sword of Sky in my possession. After I took up residence in Dunkilus, it served me well against the many assassins that my kin sent after me to exact revenge for the death of Lazarus and much of their kin.

What?

They blamed me for starting the War of Wizardry and decided that I had to be punished. But even in death, Celestina continued to protect me, using her powers to force my would-be killers out of my manor. Luckily, on numerous occasions the people of Dunkilus would help apprehend those sent after me. Most of them paid for their attempts with their lives at the hands my defenders. Eventually the king had some guards posted outside my manor at all times.

So you did have friends among the humans.

Friends? No. Just because they saved my life repeatedly doesnt mean they were my friends. Many of them feared and distrusted me. But that is all ancient history now. A part of my life I would rather forget.

I understand Murlock. Everything that has happened over the course of the past few months is not something I wish to look back upon.

Murlock looks towards the statue of his brother and lowers his gaze in sadness.
Even though we have won this day, he spoke solemnly, I still feel that my brother has achieved some kind of victory over me. He still refuses to forgive what happened in the past and he was determined to ensure that the world would remember what I have done. In a way, he succeeded. He could not kill me, but he has broken me.

In a way, this war has broken me as well. How can I celebrate my victory after all that has happened?

Logan, everyone is waiting for you. I will hurry back as soon as I restore this castle back to its original location.

Logan slowly nodded and finally reaches for the stone.

#

As the light pillar faded, he found himself back in the courtyard of the Iconoclast castle. The sound of loud cheering and clapping overwhelms his sense of hearing from all directions. The guards salute him and raise their weapons skyward.

In the distance the sun is setting towards the horizon. At this hour, it would be too late to begin a celebration. He searches the sky for the cloud containing Judgiollas castle, but finds nothing.

He looks all around him searching for familiar faces. Edward and Minerva are standing with their backs to the castle gate. Kain and Gwendolyn stand side by side at the front of the crowd to his left. His mother and Agnes stand at the front to his right. Albrecht and Penelope stand close to the king and queen.
Everyone is overwhelmed with joy at their final victory. To know that at they are safe from the Scourge. The long war is finally over. With the fruits of Garibaldis work finally destroyed, the people would at long last have a chance to enjoy their freedom from a thousand years of being nothing more than stone statues.

Logan sees that Janus body has been laid at the foot of the obelisk, where he was to have been executed a mere couple hours ago. In the eyes of the people, his death had finally given them the revenge they had come for.

Then Logan sees thirteen men and women in the garbs of the Scourge, each on their knees, their hands tied behind their backs. These thirteen individuals were all that remained of the Scourge. They were the only people who did not cheer, clap, or smile. They all glare daggers towards Logan.

Thirteen. An unlucky number. All their other comrades had been killed, granted the mercy of death. He did not know what awaited these individuals, but considering what had nearly happened to Janus earlier this day, their future looked grim.

Edward and Minerva stepp forward with their arms outstretched before them with open palms. The crowd becomes silent, though their joy remains upon their faces.
Logan bowed his head before the king and queen who return the gesture. Your majesties, he began, it is over.

We know, said Minerva. Captain Penelope has already told us everything about your victory. About the sacrifice your friend made. We were all paying him two minutes of silent respect when you showed up.

He may have been our enemy at first, said Edward. But in the end, he had the heart and soul of a hero. And he deserves to be honored for what he had done. And as for his actions in the past, I believe he chose his own punishment. One for which we were all satisfied with.

There will be time to honor our dead, said Minerva. Tomorrow we will begin the preparations for a great celebration.

Logan momentarily turns his gaze towards the thirteen remaining soldiers of the Scourge, all of whom continue to glare hatefully towards him. What about them? he asked pointing in their direction. What will happen to them?

So much blood has already been spilled over the course of these past two weeks, said Minerva. Now that the war is over, there is no reason for more bloodshed.

Instead they will spend the rest of their lives locked up in our dungeons, said Edward. A fitting and humiliating punishment and end to the so-called most powerful army in history.

This is a great victory indeed, said Minerva. Those who fought to defend this world will be honored. Even the names of those who did not survive to see victory shall be remembered forever. Every single one of them. Including our fallen previous captain.

At the mention of her father, Penelope lowers her gaze in sorrow. Albrecht reaches out to her from behind to put a comforting hand upon her shoulder.

Captain Penelope, said Minerva. Please step forward. And you as well Albrecht.
Penelope and Albrecht obey and stand before the king and queen. They bow their heads. Edward and Minerva bow in return.

Captain Penelope, began Edward, thanks to your leadership, the defenders of this land have successfully defended this city and its people with minimal casualties. Many of those under your command have spoken well of your bravery. Everyone gathered here in this courtyard owes their lives to you. Your father would have been very proud of you.

Logan sees Penelope stand in silence, nothing more than a smile upon her face and a sniffle as if taking in those final two sentences. In a way, she had atoned for all her past failures. She had found success as a guard serving her country, as a soldier, and as a leader. Without her military guidance, many would have died. Had she given in to her grief over the loss of her father, she would have been unable to prevent more people from losing their lives. She would have failed her kingdom. It is a relief to her that it did not come to that. After several silent moments, without a word, she walks past the king and queen towards the castle gate, her head slightly lowered.

And you Albrecht, said Minerva, you have proven yourself to be among one of the bravest heroes of this war. Through your actions of the past two weeks you have upheld our familys honor. Your uncle, my father Cecil would be proud to have called you his nephew. Just as I am proud to be your cousin. Unlike others, I never doubted you for a moment. Thank you for never letting me down.

Youre welcome, dear cousin, said Albrecht.

Those who represented Naphorphia in the final battle to defend this kingdom witnessed your skill and courage. I have received word from them that your exile from Naphorphia has finally been revoked. At long last, you are allowed to return home...if that is your choice.

Your majesty...cousin. Im deeply honored that my homeland would welcome me back. But I have already made my choice that I wish to stay in this land. I have no family waiting to welcome me back in Naphorphia. But here in Iconoclast, I have family. And I found love. I would not throw that away.

Without another word, he hurries past the king and queen towards the castle gate in pursuit of Penelope.

Lock the prisoners of war in our dungeon, Minerva orders the guards. Keep them under lock and key.

Yes your highness, one of the guards salutes her. Twelve others force the remaining soldiers of the Scourge to their feet and escort them into the castle.
Thats the end of the Scourge. They will only leave the castle in a pine box. Death will be by disease, old age, or suicide. A fitting end.

And as for you Logan, Edward speaks reverently, you are the true hero of this war. We could not have turned the tide without you.

Logan shook his head. No. Im no hero. Heroes dont endanger those who put their faith in him. You dont owe me anything. Ive brought you nothing but trouble. Death. And destruction.

But still, without you, it could have been much worse, said Edward.

This all happened because you were freed from Garibaldis curse. I only put you all into great danger. More so when I played a part in restoring Raven Dark. How could it have been much worse than that?

What does it matter? asked Minerva. He is gone. Our land is safe. We now have the chance to truly enjoy our freedom. You gave us back everything we lost because of Garibaldi while he was under the influence of Raven Dark.

But so many of you lost much. Your homes. Businesses. Loved ones. True, you can rebuild what you lost. But those you loved will never come back. And it is all because of me. I am no better than the Scourge!

He sighed. I have made many tough decisions and sacrificed much of myself to end this war. What purpose do I have for living now after all that has transpired? He steps back and takes out his sawed off shotgun. He checks to make sure the barrels are loaded.

Logan? asked Edward. What are you doing?

Ignoring him, Logan gets down onto one knee and puts the gun under his chin. He had made up his mind. The stress of having caused so much death and destruction is too much for him. All blame for what had happened was to be placed upon him. How could he ever be at peace with himself now.

No! Agnes exclaims. Dont do it! No!

Spurred by her statement, everyone gathered now realizes what he intends to do, judging from the shouts and shrieks of panic all around him.

Dont be a fool! Kain screams.

Dont kill yourself son! Maria exclaims.

But Logan ignores them all. Janus and Murlock were not the only ones deserving of punishment for everything that had happened in the past.

It is better this way. I will be with Katrina again. I will find peace in the afterlife. I have done my part. Now I no longer have a reason to go on.

Just as his finger begins to apply pressure to the trigger, a sudden force pushes him to the pavement beneath him. A split second after it is forced where it had been placed under his chin, an explosion of smoke and gunpowder blasts out of both barrels. Screams penetrate the air at the noise as if they feared whatever had stopped him had come too late.

Hands pry the gun out of his hand. He looks up to see his mother holding the gun away from him. Turning his head, he sees Agnes clutching him and holding him back. With no one else around, only she could have been the one who stopped him from killing himself. Just as he had saved her life on more than one occasion, so had she.

The crowd claps at the actions of these two women at saving him, relieved that he is still alive.

How can they celebrate my life when all I have ever done was spill blood on both sides of the conflict, one by choice, the other indirectly as a result of my actions.

That was a very foolish thing to do Logan, said Agnes.

How could you have saved me? he asked. After what happened to you?

I told you before Logan, she replied, I dont blame you for what happened to my father, my home, and my work. No one blames you for everything that occurred. No one but yourself.

Logan is pushed down onto the pavement and restrained while several hands strip him of his weapons. Once his pockets have been emptied, he is allowed to rise to his feet.

Logan, it matters not what happened, said Minerva. As my cousin said that evening in the town square, 'Casualties are inevitable'. For all the hundreds who have died, thousands are going to live. And its mostly thanks to you. Without your help, we would all have perished. Youre not only the hero we deserved, youre the hero we needed. The hero all humanity needed and deserved.

Your deeds shall be forever remembered, said Edward. The ballad I am writing will ensure that. The continued survival of our people and your own will be your legacy.

You have had a long day Logan, said Minerva. So much has happened this day. And after what has just happened, rest will do you a lot of good. For tomorrow, we make preparations to celebrate our freedom.

And you are more than welcome to join us, said Edward. We would not all have seen this day if not for you. It is your right to share in our joy and celebrate your victory and achievements.

#

Now I know how Gwendolyn felt.

Following his failed suicide attempt, Logan is escorted back to his bedchamber by two guards. Outside another bedchamber, Albrecht is posted.

Where is Penelope? asked Logan.

Inside, said Albrecht. Now that the war is over, she can grieve for her father.

Shouldnt you be at her side?

No. It is better this way that she is to herself. All I can do is stand guard outside and make sure no one interrupts her mourning.

Then she must know how I feel. I mourn for all I have lost and for all my failings.

Once a watchman, always a watchman, said Albrecht.

Logan opens the door to his own bedchamber and steps inside, the door closing behind him. Now that he was under suicide watch, he had to be kept under guard. The king and queen were worried that he would make another attempt to take his own life, so they posted guards at each of the balconies of the castle. The doors leading up to the towers were also under guard. Two more guards are posted outside his door.

Standing before the window, with one hand upon the glass to support himself, Logan stares down into the courtyard where the obelisk stood. People had gathered there for an execution. But instead, so much innocent blood was spilled. They had been denied the justice they had come for. 

But with Janus now dead, there were mixed feelings surrounding the fact that he had died. Many were happy that he had finally paid the price for his actions, but many of them struggled to come to terms with his actions following the failed execution, ultimately leading up to his sacrifice.

He lifts his gaze away ruefully and watches as the sun disappears beneath the horizon, plunging the world into the darkness of night. For the first time in weeks, the people would sleep easily. For him, the same could not be true.

He had won the war, but the cost to himself had been too great for his heart and soul to afford. He lost Katrinas locket and his closest friend. Victory had been bittersweet. Now that he had fulfilled his promise to Katrina, what now?

The burden upon him was so strong that it was difficult to stand erect. Even if Albrecht had been right about casualties in war being inevitable, so many had died because of him. So many more could have died because of choices he had made. What if he had been unable to stop Raven Dark? What if he had been unable to gain access to the castle in the clouds? How close had he come to undoing everything he had fought for and accomplished? To ensuring the end of mankind as it was?

Maybe Revelin had been right. No other man was responsible for altering the destiny of the human race more so than himself. At least that is what would have happened if he had failed. He had aided his enemies almost as much as his allies, even if unwillingly.

How does Murlock cope with such guilt, regret, and remorse? How did he handle it for the past fifteen centuries? He is certainly is much stronger in mind, will, and soul than I ever was. The magic flowing through his blood truly has become a curse if it extends his life.

As he sits down on the bed, there is a knock on the door. Logan, one of the guards calls out, you have visitors!

I do not want to be disturbed! He wanted to shout what he was thinking, but he could not.

The door opens. In steps his mother and Agnes.

What were you thinking out there? his mother said, her tongue sharp with worry.

Great, just what every young man needs. A lecture from his mother.

He kept his gaze down, ashamed of himself. How can she even look at or speak to me after everything that has happened? What mother would be proud to know that he son is responsible for hundreds of deaths.

Son, look at me, she said gently.

He shook his head, refusing to lift his head. I cant.

Pull yourself together son. You have won the war! Youre a hero! You should be proud of your accomplishments! I am very proud of you and I know your father would be as well!

At last he finally lifted his head. How can you say that mother? Now he is shouting, angry at himself. How can you be proud of the fact that your son could have brought an end to humanity? That more blood stains his hands than any other murderer or killer in the history of mankind? People on both sides of this conflict died because of me! People trusted me with their lives and many of them lost it as a result! And how could father be proud of me after what I have done? 

He found it difficult to look at Agnes. Despite her claims he still felt 
responsible for what had happened to her. How could he consider himself her friend when she had lost so much because of him? Any other person would have blamed him and hated him for it, spending the rest of their life cursing his name.

Maria at first found it difficult to reply due to her silence. Perhaps she is taking his words into consideration. Perhaps she is questioning what kind of mother could ever love her child when he had taken life.

Agnes sits down on the bed at his side and places one hand gently upon his shoulder. Even her touch fails to ease his internal pain.

Maria pulls up a chair in front of him and sits down. Youre not the only one who knows how it feels to have failed those who put their lives into your hands, she said. I have seen my share of suffering during my time as a nurse providing relief during the War. And I know from experience that even the finest doctors cant save every life.

As for your father, I know he never expressed any kind of emotional affection, but I know he was proud to call you his son, even if he never said the words. He fought for what he believed in during the war and died without giving us the chance to say goodbye. Just as you fought for something you believed in and survived. And I know he would be proud of your achievements. But he would not be proud of a son who chose to abandon what was left of his family by taking his own life.

Logan felt shame burn his cheeks. His mother was right. He still had one member left of his family, someone he is emotionally close to. What effect would his death have had on her? What had she been thinking during her imprisonment in the Scourges fortress, believing her only child to have died? Believing that he had been killed in the monastery during a moment of weakness?

War changes so much within us, said Maria. The battles we fight. The deaths of comrades, friends, and family. Mass destruction. All take their toll on us. Our heart. Our soul. Our mind. Those who survive the horror will never be the same again. We never truly be at peace with ourselves. But we live on. We embrace the gift of life that our survival has granted us. That is the nature of humanity.

You survived. I survived. Much of the population of this world has survived. You did the best you could to aid this land in its time of need. Even the greatest of heroes cannot save everybody. Even the bravest war hero cannot always drag all of the wounded out of danger. And even then, not all of the wounded survive their injuries. That is the nature of war. It could have been much worse. Without you, this world would have perished. The rest of our own people would have followed.

She is right. If I had done nothing, there would be nobody around to call me a hero. Then again, what kind of hero would I have been?

And without you, said Agnes, I would never have survived, even if I lost everything I cherished.

Partly because of me, said Logan.

Agnes shook her head. No. We cannot always control which direction our enemies march, the destruction they inflict, and the lives they claim. But without you, what could have happened to me would be much worse.

But what will you do now? asked Logan. You have nothing but the clothes on your back. You are homeless.

So are many others, said Agnes. But they will rebuild. It is much easier to rebuild homes and businesses. But your family? That is another story. The ones you love can never come back after their lives are claimed. I have no one. You have your mother. I envy you Logan. But most of all, now that I have achieved my vengeance, what purpose do I have in this life now that the life as I knew it has ended?

You can come back with us, said Maria.

What? asked Agnes. Even Logan himself is surprised by his mothers statement, more so than Agnes herself.

There is nothing left for you here, said Maria. Nothing but sad memories. But if you return to Earth with us, we can give you a new life. We will help you find a job, a home, and you will have opportunities to make friends.

I..., Agnes is struggling to find the words to reply.

I know it is a difficult decision to make, said Maria. But understand that you alone are now responsible for the path you take in life. You have already proven yourself a strong woman capable of making her own choices and look how you have changed. Now that the war is over and there is no need to fight anymore, for the first time in your life, you are truly in charge of the direction you walk. I am sure your father would be very proud of you. And so would your mother if she had lived long enough to see how you have grown. And I know for certain that your father would be pleased that Logan kept his promise to him.

Logan reached into his pocket and removed the box containing the Ring of Lazarus. He had wanted this to be Katrinas engagement ring. How would Agnes feel if he presented this to her? She was not Katrina, just a friend who resembled her greatly in appearance and personality. Giving the ring to Agnes wouldnt be the same as using it to propose to Katrina.

Agnes, here, he said. You can use this ring to speak to your father and your mother.

She gazes upon the ring as she takes the box into her hands. Logan feels awkward as she opens the box, revealing the ring. He could only imagine the look on Katrinas face when she realized its purpose for him presenting it to her.

What I would give  if I had anything to begin with at the moment   to see my mother and father. The ring begins to sparkle and shine as the trio are overwhelmed by a familiar rose colored transparent light that paints the entire bedchamber. Agnes rises to her feet and sets the box upon the bed as sparkles of light begin to join together and form two familiar figures in spirit form. One was that of her father Geoffroy, the innkeeper. The other was a woman Logan had seen only in a painted portrait back at the inn.

Agnes, the woman speaks. Is that really you?

Mother? Agnes asks as she steps forward. Father?

How you have grown! her mother says. When I last saw you, I was laying upon the bed in the room with the balcony. You were only fifteen years old. The last thing I felt before I passed away was the touch of your hands upon my own. Rivers were flowing down from your eyes at the time.

Logan can only guess as to when and if Agnes eyes have begun to water at the mention of this moment in her past when she lost her mother.

Your father has told me of how you have been working so hard for the family business after I passed on, her mother went on. About all your experiences before the inn was destroyed during the attack on our kingdom and his death.

To see that you have survived everything fills our heart with joy and relief, said Geoffroy. He turns to Logan. Thank you for watching over her Logan. I like to think she survived all thanks to you.

Logan feels a slight sense of pride within him for hearing those words. He is already starting to feel better about himself, even if only slightly.

But what will I do now? asked Agnes. The people will rebuild what they have lost. I have nothing.

That is not true daughter, said Geoffroy. You are still alive. You survived where I and the inn did not. So long as you live, you have a chance for a new life.

How?

That is up to you. But your mother and I want you to know that whatever you choose to do with your life, you have our blessing. For the first time in your life you have control over your own destiny.

Thank you father. You can rest in peace now that Revelin and the Scourge are no more.

Agnes, my peace in the afterlife will come knowing that you are ready to make something of yourself on your own in the path your life shall take. I know you will have many opportunities to find what you could not in your previous life. You have been given a chance for a new life. It is only right that you should take it.

Thank you. I will make you and mother proud of me.

We already are dear daughter, said her mother as her form and that of Geoffroy vanish. The bedchamber returns to its normal colors as the light fades back into the ring.

Agnes stands silent, reflecting on her final encounter with her mother and father, knowing that she would probably never look upon their faces again. She had nothing to remind her of their memory.

Finally, she turns to look back to Logan and Maria. I will! she said. I will return to Earth with you to begin my new life.

Logan saw his mother smile. I am certain that there will be a place for you in our world. Come. Let us go and discuss the possibilities for the future that awaits you.

What about Logan? asked Agnes. Will he be all right on his own for now?

I know he will, said Maria. I have given him much to think about. 

As the two women take their leave,  Logan is left on his own. In a way, his mother was right. She had said much for him to reflect upon. Yet Agnes choosing to return with him and his mother to Earth stirred up mixed feelings within him. Though he is happy for her choosing to make a new life for herself, her presence would be a constant reminder of everything they had been through together during the war. What they had lost. Each physically resembled the person they had loved in the past.

But there was just one doubt eating away at him still. Considering everything that had happened and what could have been if he had failed, what if Revelin had been right? What if through all the blood that he had spilled had Katrinas legacy been tarnished? Her name sullied? How would she rest in peace even knowing that the fruits of Garibaldis work had been destroyed? Even though she had finally been avenged?

Raven Dark had been driven over the edge by the condemning words of Fionas spirit. Janus himself had fallen into despair over those spoken by Priscilla when he was imprisoned in the dungeon. What if Katrina herself passed judgment and condemnation on him as Priscilla and Fiona had done for the men they loved?
Gathering up his courage, Logan spoke her name in silence before the ring. At least now he would finally have a chance to see her face and hear her voice one last time.

Once more, the bedchamber is painted with a pinkish light reflecting upon the walls, floor, and ceiling. He watches and waits, trepidation and anxiety churning within his stomach.

The spirit of a woman all-too-familiar to him appears out of thin air from the sparkles. The image of a woman with a face he looked upon daily within the locked he had formerly worn around his neck.

Hello Logan, she said with a smile.

Katrina..., he spoke softly. Though he is happy to be in her presence again, the sound of her voice filling his heart and soul with immense longing, his joy is meshed with dread at what he fears will happen when he reveals the truth to her. Ive missed you so much.

Logan, you seem different somehow, she said. He sees Katrinas eyes search him as if looking for something. As if something has changed about you.

So much has changed Katrina. Garibaldi is dead as are all five of those who executed you. The Scourge are history. They will never again threaten humanity. And Raven Dark, whom Garibaldi sold his soul to for all that power, has been sealed away. All of mankind has been saved.

He sees her smile as if taking pride in what he has done. And am I to believe you played a part in any of it?

I have Katrina, he said. But I could not have done it on my own. I had help from many fine allies who fought alongside me.

Logan, what is wrong? You do not sound pleased with your efforts. Is there something you are not telling me?

Well, here goes. I should brace myself for what is to come.

Katrina, the man who stands before you, the man who loved you with every inch of his heart and soul, he is no longer the man you believed him to be.

Whatever do you mean?

Katrina, everything I have done was all in your name. I made a promise at your grave that I would stop the Scourge or die trying. I have spilled the blood of so many, but not just that of our enemies. So many innocent people have died indirectly because of my actions. Raven Dark was only released upon mankind because of my own foolishness. I was so afraid that people would reject me if they found out about my former allegiance to the Scourge that I went to great lengths to hide that secret. Even if it meant helping the Scourge restore their true founder to life.

But in the end, all my fears were for naught when the secret was exposed. Still, so much has happened because of the choice I made, even if it had also been done to prevent mass genocide. So much more could have happened had I failed to correct my mistake. If any of this has come to pass, how could I ever look upon you again. For it was your death that spurred me to action against the Scourge. Had they succeeded in their goal thanks to my unwilling aid, your name would have been stained with blood for all time. And even now, with all the deaths that have occurred, I am afraid your legacy has been nothing more than senseless bloodshed. I am sorry Katrina.

He ended his speech and waited for her judgment. He looked away in shame. What happens next stuns him. He feels something gently touch his cheek.

Logan, even if that had happened, there would have been nothing to forgive, he heard her words.

What? he asked lifting his head and gazing upon her once again. He did not expect this. Her ghostly hand rests upon one side of his face, yet he feels no chill.

I want you to know that even though no one could ever condone your actions, you did what you had to do. The Scourge had to be stopped. And had I survived that fateful evening, I would gladly fought alongside you.

Hearing those words begins to relieve the weight of the guilt he carries upon his shoulders. But in a way, you always were fighting at my side, in spirit. Your final gift to me was a reminder of your sacrifice, my mission. One that regretfully I was forced to part with in order to help achieve victory.

I understand Logan. We all have to make sacrifices for the greater good. In a way, it is good that you no longer have it.

Why?

There is no greater tragedy than a man who wallows in his own grief, who cannot allow himself to enjoy life. Memories can hold you back. Now you can only move forward.

But how will I ever expect to find happiness again now that you are gone?

Logan, I do not regret what I did that evening, even if it killed me. And I do not regret that it inspired you to accomplish what you have. What I would regret would be your inability to move on, and if it ultimately destroyed you.

And it almost did. I never knew that attempting to end my life would have caused you so much pain.

Katrina, so much could have been possible if you were still alive. We could have gotten married. Had children. Grown old together. Now, that will never happen.

I know. We shared so many good memories and times together Logan. And I will always be grateful to you for giving me your friendship and love. You were the greatest thing that ever happened to me. It was your compassion that helped me find my place within the Scourge. I never would have become who I am without you.

If only I could have saved you that evening. Maybe then you would still be alive.

Logan, even if I had never met you, I would have confronted Garibaldi for what he planned to do. In a way, some good has come from our love and your time in the Scourge. No one would have directly opposed Garibaldi and the Scourge, to carry on my legacy of defiance in the name of humanitys heart and soul, both of which are not as corrupted as they believed. Even with all of its flaws, humanity deserves to prosper and survive. I for one am grateful and joyful to know that our love has done so much for the world, and I am happy to once more look upon the face of the man I loved.

And I for one am filled with joy to behold your vision of loveliness and hear your voice again my love.

But now our time together has ended. Through my death we parted in body, but remained united in spirit. Though it had been tragically cut short, whatever we shared together meant more than the wealth I grew up in. Fate can be a cruel mistress.

Yes, indeed it can be.

Katrina, I want you to know that your family is safe. He knew that she deserved to know about her loved ones back on Earth. Had the Scourge been able to continue their invasion, London would have fallen. And I am certain that your loves ones back on Earth would not have survived.

Then I can rest easy knowing that my family is still alive and my home city is safe. To know that some good has come of my death and that you have ensured their survival together with all humanity.

But what will I do now? I have fulfilled my promise to you. Now I have no purpose in life.

Then I want you to make me a new promise Logan. One that will take your whole life to fulfill. You should live to enjoy the fruits of your work. Live for a better future. Learn to love again. It would be a shame if you threw away every chance life gave you. Move on without me and let go of your grief and regrets. Release yourself from the chains of the past holding you back. You survived where I did not.

But how can I live as if we had never met before?

Think of this new promise as one last way of honoring my memory as you always have since my death. Someday you will find another woman who is just as worthy of your love as I was. One who will love you as much as I have.

Even if I do, I could never forget the times we shared together.

Still, it is here where we must part ways Logan. My world now is the afterlife where my soul shall find peace. You on the other hand hold the destiny of your life in your own hands. Promise me that you will live your life to the fullest and find happiness and a new purpose.

Before Logan could react, he feels her ghostly arms embrace him for one last time. He wanted to return the embrace, but how could he do so when he was flesh and blood, and she was a spirit.

Katrina?

Promise me, Logan. Without another word she vanishes. The rose colored lights painting the room fade away back into the Ring of Lazarus.

He stands there in silence. Mixed feelings dance within his blood. Happiness at seeing Katrina once more. Sadness that they have parted for the final time. Relief that she had not judged him harshly as a person as Priscilla and Fiona had done for their loves. Uncertainty about his own future.

Still, her words had given him much to think about. Now he knew that Revelin had been wrong. Whatever power he had believed he had even in death had been broken. Katrina now wanted him to move on without her and live a new life. One full of promise. Take new chances in love and happiness. Live to the fullest. All as if he had never met her.

He stared out the window at the night sky above, watching the stars take their place within the night sky. It had been a long day. Tomorrow the long celebrations of peace would begin. And it was hoped he would attend as the guest of honor. Unlike his previous trip to the land, he would actually take part in the celebrations. Even despite his status as a former servant of Garibaldi, he was welcome to attend.

Ironically, in the end he had been a servant of Garibaldi. A messenger of vengeance on behalf of the founder of the Scourge against their true master. After everything that had happened, could he allow himself to truly and actually forgive Garibaldi?

In succeeding, he had honored the wishes of both Garibaldi and his own ancestor Lazarus. He had succeeded as his ancestor had. The work of his ancestor had been completed. And his own work was finally finished. His duty in this world was done. His reason for returning accomplished.

Everything he had done in this world was because of Katrina. She needed to be honored for her role as well. She deserved the final respects she had been long denied.

Logan made a decision at that moment. There was just one last thing he had to do for Katrina before he could make the effort to fulfill her final request. If the kingdom was to honor those who gave their lives to defend the city, so too did they need to honor the woman whose sacrifice had given rise to their champion. He would not have become who he was if not for her. She had been with him in spirit through it all.

There is a knock on the door. Logan, you have another visitor, a voice from one of the guards called. Without waiting for his reply, the door opened.

They told me of what had happened, the voice of Murlock speaks. About how you tried to take your own life.

That I did, said Logan, without turning away from the window. Any other person in my boots would choose to do the same.

Yes, Murlock agreed. You know as well as some of the others that I would have done just that.

You tried to sacrifice yourself during the battle.

And I would have, that is if not for Janus stepping in to take my place. Ever since the War of Wizardry ended, I have often considered ending my own existence to put a stop to my own guilt. But to do so would not have changed anything, other than appeasing the anger of my brethren. I lived each day with the guilt of all my role in the war and the deaths of so many. Though it was indirectly because of me that our dream of peace between our people and humanity had been achieved, the cost was high.

Now, this world is at peace peace once again, truly for the first time before Garibaldi and his curse. Yet even in spite of my role in our victory, I cannot help but feel that my reputation has once again been tarnished.

How do you mean? Logan turns away from the window.

This land is now aware of my past and the fact that I revealed to Raven Dark where the Sword of Judgment was hidden. Though the sword has been destroyed, the power it contained shall never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. They will live with the horror of what could have happened had we been defeated in the end.

Yet you tried to prevent it from falling into his hands as well, Logan said. As 
for the revelation of where his sword was located, he never gave you a choice. Now you know how I felt when the Scourge forced me to aid them in the recovery of the Sword of Darkness.

Perhaps there may have been another way, Murlock said. If we had known about where Claudios loyalties lay, we never would have revealed the truth of its whereabouts to him. But whats done is done. As Raven Dark said, after all that has happened this day, the people of this world will be wary around me. Word will get around to the remaining kingdoms about what I have done. 

Not if the king and queen have anything to say about it.

Perhaps, Murlock said solemnly. But history has shown itself to be the wisest teacher of the people. And people do not forget the teachings of history. No matter how hard we try to escape our past, it always finds and betrays us to those closest to us. I may never be able to show my face in this land ever again.
And even if the people do not blame me for what happened, I do not believe I will ever set foot in this world again. The people know too much about me. Too many painful memories still exist here. This world will forever be a reminder of my past as long as I remain in it. I can only move forward, just as she told me to.

On the other hand Logan, even in spite of everything that has happened, there are still those who think the world of you. People owe you more than their lives, they owe their freedom to you. And your name shall be remembered for all time. Your deeds shall become legendary stories passed on through the generations. What happened in your past means nothing to them, unlike my own.

Murlock, there are those who still think highly of you in spite of everything that happened, said Logan. The king and queen will ensure that your name remains untarnished by your past. A person should not be judged by what has happened in their past but by their actions in the present. I understood that after I learned my reputation remained strong even after my secret was revealed. Like I have said Murlock, you cannot hold yourself responsible for what your brother has done. He chose his path. You chose yours. As I have chosen mine while the Scourge chose theirs.

Maybe. But even if what you say is true, I may never truly be able to forgive myself in my lifetime. He shook his lowered head. I may carry the guilt and regret to my grave. He raises his head. For now, the people of this world shall celebrate the peace they have long been denied, even after their freedom from a thousand year old curse. Tomorrow, we honor our dead.

Murlock, there is someone else who deserves her own final respects.

Who?

I wore her locket around my neck up until the end of my battle with Revelin. A locket I was forced to part with in order to save my life.

The woman you loved?

Yes. Logan nodded. After she was executed by the Scourge, they buried her and desecrated her gravestone. She deserves a dignified funeral.

Where was she buried? We shall recover her body and pay her the respect she deserves.

She is buried within the graveyard of the cathedral the Scourge used as their meeting grounds.

Where?

Logan braced himself for how Murlock would react to the truth. The very cathedral you served in for many years outside Dunkilus. Just beyond the Phantom Wood.

Though Murlock remains calm, his eyes widen as if in alarm and shock. They desecrated that holy place with their presence?

Yes. They carried out their fowl sacrificial rituals there. It was there where my Katrina met her end. But now that they are gone, the cathedral can once more be restored to its former status as a holy place.

Then the people of Dunkilus shall work to help make that possible. I will also lend my aid. But how will we know where Katrina is buried.

Simple. We look for the broken headstone.

#

The next morning after breakfast, Logan and Murlock joined the pilgrimage of those who had traveled from Dunkilus the previous day. Everyone who had come to the city the previous day would be going back to their homelands today. Kain and Gwendolyn had joined those boarding the ship to Tamirtania. Albrecht gave his farewell to those from Naphorphia, having chosen to stay with Penelope and begin a new life with her. Agnes also said her goodbyes to the people of Arcanius as they step onto the ship to take them back to her homeland, knowing that she would never set foot in that land ever again. 

The survivors traveled by wagons pulled by horses or on foot. The bodies of the dead are put on a separate wagon in the rear of each pilgrimage. Those boarding the ships traveling back to Arcanius and Tamirtania carry the dead on board, keeping them down on the empty cargo hold.

Everyone seemed relieved to see that Logan is back in good spirits. Kain and Gwendolyn gave their thanks to Logan before they parted ways to board the ship to Tamirtania.

You are not going to stay and attend the celebrations here? he had asked them at breakfast.

You do not understand my friend, said Kain. All five kingdoms involved in this conflict will be celebrating. We will work to rebuild the damage to our homeland and our lives.

And there is also the wedding to attend to, said Gwendolyn. Ours. She smiles at Kain who grins back at her. There is the matter of his coronation. He will be king. I hope my brother together with his queen shall attend the wedding.

We would be most honored, said Edward. I shall gladly welcome Kain into our family.

Your friend is more than welcome to attend the wedding Logan, said Kain looking at Agnes with a grateful smile. If not for her, we would have never been able to save our relationship.

Agnes smiles in reply. Thank you for the invitation. But first there are certain celebrations here in Iconoclast that I wish to attend to.

Murlock gave one of the teleportation stones and communication charms to Kain and Gwendolyn before they boarded the ship. He gave the second pieces in both magical pairs to Agnes. There were some celebrations in Iconoclast that she wished to attend first.

You do not want to celebrate in your homeland with your own people? Logan had asked her.

She shook her head. I have nothing to return home to. And for the final time, I will tell you not to blame yourself.

Soon after, Murlock and Logan traveled to Dunkilus within a horse-drawn carriage. They had spoken with the king and queen during breakfast about their plans. When Logan told them about what he wanted for Katrina, they had decided to respect his wishes. Despite being a soldier of the Scourge, Katrina deserved to be honored for her role in all the events that had transpired and for what Logan had become. 
Without her, they had concluded, they would never have been freed from the curse that imprisoned them in stone. Logan never would have come to this land. And they would never be here today to enjoy their freedom.

The ceremony to honor the dead would be postponed until they returned. Murlock estimated that they would be back sometime in the mid-afternoon. The journey to Dunkilus by carriage would take about three hours. As it passed down the streets filled with citizens preparing for the celebration, they cheered for him. Murlock suspected that most of the cheers were directed towards Logan.

Behind the carriage, a horse drawn wooden wagon follows them. Four volunteers ride within having offered to help recover the body. They had each brought shovels with them.

Staring out the window at the passing countryside, he sat in silence. Sleep had not come easy that night in spite of the fact that his mind and thoughts were not so troubled as they had formerly been. This was to be the day when he would finally say goodbye to Katrina.

Their carriage and the wagon behind them parted way from the pilgrimage at the gates to Dunkilus. Both continue on their journey to the cathedral.

As the carriage passed down the road leading past the Phantom Wood, Logan breathed a sigh of relief that they would not have to endure a trip through the forest. The horrors he had faced that night in the woods still haunted his nightmares. The harrowing experience would be with him for the rest of his days as would all he had fought for and accomplished in spite of the sacrifices he made.

Finally, Logan turned to where Murlock sat. Murlock, how did you return castle Judgiollas to its original place?

The same method used by Raven Dark to raise it into the sky, said Murlock without turning his head. Logan surmised that Murlock is still being troubled by his thoughts. Dunkilus, the lord of the sky had created an enchanted crystal with the power of the wind, which he used to raise his home above the clouds in order to protect himself and his family from the wrath of the people who feared him. After his death, the crystal was stolen from his tomb by an ignorant thief who sold it to a jeweler in Judgiollas. 

Little did he realize that the jeweler was descended down from Judgiollas himself. Recognizing the power it contained, he and his kin in the land safeguarded it to prevent it from falling into the hands of those who would abuse its power for their own protection. Obviously, it was not until today when Raven Dark found it and used it to raise castle Judgiollas into the sky for the Scourge to use as their new base.

What about the Obsidian of Souls? asked Logan. He was curious to know where it was now. Murlock had promised to reveal this information at a later date. Where is it now if it is no longer with the Iconoclast royal family?

It is buried within the tomb of the wizard king himself, together with the crystals that Lazarus used to siphon the power and memory of Valkereye. After several generations, even in spite of the peace between our people, the rulers of Iconoclast did not wish to be in possession of the crystals, particularly the Obsidian of Souls as that crystal was already a reminder of the history of the kingdom, one that they would rather not forget. So I took the crystals and placed them within the tomb of Iconoclast himself. To me, this was a wise decision because surely Raven Dark, when he was in possession of Garibaldis soul, had found Lazarus journal and searched the castle during those years of the kingdom being cursed. Had they remained within the castle, he would have been one step closer to his new goal the previous evening.

The restoration of your father and their combined power wiping out humanity.

Exactly. To ensure that the tomb of Iconoclast remains undisturbed and the crystals undiscovered, I created a magical seal to lock the doors leading inside. The only people who will be able to open it will be those descended from the wizard king himself. When I placed the crystals in the tomb, I drew some of his blood and used it to enchant the seal I placed on the doors. It will automatically open should a descendant of his stand before them.

Why allow one of his descendants to open it?

Should Raven Dark return and discover where the crystals are located, one of the wizard kings descendants could remove the crystals and take them elsewhere before he could get his hands on them. There was a chance that one of Raven Darks followers was of the bloodline of the tyrannical magician who ruled this land. If that was true, he would have the means to open the tomb should he discover the location of the jewels. Even though there are those in this land of that bloodline, they still remember the legacy of their ancestor and fear keeps them away.

All seven of the former deities were buried within the land that bore their names. Like the tomb of Iconoclast himself, these tombs could only be opened by the those of their bloodline. These magical seals were created to ensure that the tombs  remained unspoiled and untouched, unable to be desecrated by pure blood humans. However, some of those descendants, ashamed of their heritage would allow the tomb to be plundered by others. This is what happened with the final resting place of Dunkilus, Judgiollas, Arcanius, Pandorium, and Tamirtania. Only the tombs of Naphorphia and Iconoclast remain unspoiled and untouched.

The carriage comes to a stop outside the arch leading to the cathedral. Murlock looks out the window and gazes at the building he once served within as if remembering moments from his past. I never thought I would return here following the curse of Garibaldi. I have not been here for over a thousand years.

Together with the four volunteers, they step outside and walk under the arch, through the halls leading to the courtyard of the cathedral, and step outside. On both sides of the building they came out of is a graveyard. Knowing the location of where Katrina is buried, Logan leads Murlock to the western graveyard until they stand before the desecrated headstone marking where Katrina lay buried.
As the four men carrying shovels get to work digging at the earth, Logan and Murlock step back. Logan knew that Katrina would not have wanted to be buried here, away from everyone who knew and loved her. She deserved much better.

Minutes pass before they begin to uncover the coffin. Though Logan did not stick around that evening long enough to watch her burial, he could see that the Scourge had not bothered with anything fancy. Only a simple wooden box contained her body. The men began to flinch and groan as a horrendous stench similar to that of rotten eggs fills the surrounding air. They all back away holding their noses and gagging. Even Logan himself felt sick to his stomach from the smell. He almost wished he had skipped breakfast.

He sees a rune shaped like a nose appear on the forehead of Murlock who points his fingers at the four men before using it on himself and Logan. To his surprise, the smell vanishes as if carried away by the wind. Compared to the strong stench of the decomposing body within the coffin, the wind is perfume to his senses. Then men return to work with grateful smiles.

Finally they uncover the entire coffin. The four men act as pallbearers as they pick up the box containing the remains of Katrina. As he watches the coffin hauled out of the ground, Logan is filled with a sense of happiness knowing that Katrina will no longer be buried under this soil. All evidence that she had once rested here had to be destroyed.

The four men carry the coffin back to the wagon outside the cathedral. Murlock and Logan together pick up the remains of her headstone and follow them. The headstone remains would be destroyed back at the kingdom. Now all that remained was to take the coffin back to the kingdom where the remains of the woman inside could finally receive the final respects it had been long denied.

Logan decided that it was for the best that the coffin remained unopened throughout the ceremony. At this point, her beautiful body would be severely decomposed as judging by the smell that had attacked their senses before Murlock cast the spell. Even he would not want to gaze one last time at her body even though it meant never looking upon her face again.

#

Three times during the journey back to Iconoclast, their sense of smell returned with a vengeance as the air once more filled itself with the horrendous stench of a decomposing human body. Three times they had to stop so Murlock could recast the spell. Even the horses had to have their sense of smell deactivated with magic judging by their whinnies and snorts.

Finally they arrived back at the kingdom of Iconoclast. With their return, the ceremony to honor the dead could now commence. He had not expected the sun to shine upon this event. Golden rays shine through a cloud in the yellow southwestern sky. A beautiful sight for such a sorrowful occasion.

Though the people had waited for their return before beginning, preparations had already been underway during the wait. Graves had been dug in the cemetery for guards who had served the kingdom throughout the history of the land. Citizens of Iconoclast who had been killed during the initial attack before Janus could be executed were to be buried in another graveyard for the population. Headstones had been carved out for the  dead since the previous evening and placed near the respective graves. Two pyres for the bodies of Janus and Katrina had been constructed out of tree limbs and straw piled together atop slabs of stone.

The coffin containing her body is placed on top of one of the slabs. The crowd has to stand back at least ten yards because of the smell. Janus is placed atop the second. They were to be cremated. Janus ashes were to be scattered at another location. Logan had requested that Katrinas ashes be gathered and given to him. He had his own plans for them as a way of saying goodbye to the woman he loved.
Logan had in his possession Katrinas diary. However it would not be burned with her body even though he had considered it. In the end, he decided that her family would want to keep it for sentimental reasons. Her written words spoke in a way her body could no longer.

One of the guards hands him a burning torch before stepping away. Murlock casts two spells upon Logan, one to neutralize his sense of smell, the other to amplify his voice so everyone in the realm of Iconoclast could hear what he had to say. He felt a familiar tingling sensation within his mouth. Under any other circumstances he would have been overwhelmed with good feelings. But whatever he was feeling is tainted with with sorrow and grief at the reality of the situation and his surroundings. A scene of despair and sorrow.

He stands before the twin pyres and faces the crowd gathered out of the radius of the smell of decomposing flesh. He sees both his mother and Agnes standing at the front. Agnes had stayed here for now to provide emotional support alongside his mother if he was going to be saying goodbye to the woman he loved, the first step to moving on. 

Everyone waits for him to speak. And when he does, they listen.

How can you measure the value of those who did so much for so many? He says aloud. Those who gave their lives for the good of this land and its people? Those who sacrificed themselves during the final battle and who did not live to enjoy the peace this land has been long denied?

And my friend Janus, who was once our enemy, but who in the end showed that even those we consider our foes can ultimately become our allies? My friend, who sacrificed himself to destroy the Sword of Judgment? Who died for our sins to avert the judgment of the gods? His actions prove that mankind in spite of all its flaws deserves its own existence, preserved in its current state. The new age that the Scourge fought to attain shall not come to pass.

But we owe more than these brave men and women our freedom, our lives, and our future. Most of all, we owe everything to the sacrifice of one brave woman who inspired your savior to do all that he has done. The woman I loved. I have done all I could to honor her memory. And now, so shall all you. For we would not be standing here without her. None of this would have happened if not for her. Your freedom, your lives, your survival, and your future is more her legacy than my own.

For too long, she had been denied the dignity of a proper funeral. For those who knew and loved her, there was no closure as long as her body was not granted the respect it deserved. Now, that time has come to an end, for she shall finally gain the recognition she deserved through her noble death. And so, with a heavy heart, I set her tortured soul free and grant everyone who knew and loved her the closure we deserved.

As he ends his speech, he turns and approaches the pyre where Janus rests. He touches the flame of the torch in his hands to the straw which catches. The fire slowly begins to spread as he steps away as a crackling sound is hear in his ears. It is only moments later when the fire engulfs the body of his friend and begins to consume it like a ravenous vulture. 

He turns away and approaches the pyre where the coffin containing Katrina lies. At that moment, the tingling sensation in his mouth fades away as the spell amplifying his voice loses its effect. He stands in silence before the coffin, the torch steady within his grip. He lowers his gaze and shuts his eyes as he looks back on all the memories and times he shared with Katrina.

Comforting her following the death of her beloved cat.

The first time they held hands.

The first time they embraced.

Their first kiss.

His birthday where she gave him the locket.

The one memory that he dares not think about is her execution. However, the image of their final kiss and embrace before she died comes to mind. Finally, he looks back upon their final moments together the previous night as he spoke to her spirit.

Promise me Logan.

He opens his eyes and lowers the flame of the torch so that it touches the straw. Once more, a fire spreads and slowly begins to consume the coffin as he steps back. He is unable to look away from both fires burning away at the bodies of the woman he loved and his closest friend.

He gazes upon the twin pillars of smoke rising into the mid-afternoon sky. Smoke that blows away in the wind, a symbolic gesture to the friend of lover he is saying goodbye to, whatever future they could have shared with him, gone.

Katrina...I promise! He said to himself.

The remainder of the ceremony was a distressing time for many, Logan most of all. Each coffin carried out and laid to rest in either graveyard was a burden upon his soul. Every body laid to rest was another person he had failed. He is almost afraid to look at Murlock to see how the ancient wizard has been affected by this spectacle. Families who had lost loved ones dabbed at their eyes with tissues, wiping away the tears as they watched coffins containing neighbors, friends, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and grandparents.

Penelope wanted her father to be buried alongside the woman he had loved. Just as they had been reunited in death, it was only right that they should rest side by side in the same graveyard. She supervised the laying to rest of his body and stood by the grave as if refusing to leave his side until the coffin was set in place for all time. Albrecht stayed at her side as if attempt to comfort her.
At the north end of of graveyard for the guards, Logan sees a large ornate mausoleum. Logan had been told about this building and how it was used as the final resting place for every person born of royalty within the Iconoclast royal family. Whether they were noble and benevolent or vicious tyrants, they were all resting within. Minervas adoptive mother and father had been long laid to rest within shortly after his first departure from the land two months ago. The royal crypt extended underground to accommodate enough space for many generations of royalty. Logan had also been told that the remaining six kingdoms each had a similar royal crypt. Obviously, his distant ancestor Iconoclast was not laid to rest within because he had not been born into royalty.

The celebrations of peace, freedom, and victory were to last for the next two days. Though the ceremony of the dead was a sorrowful event, the remainder of the festivities would be joyous. And even after the celebrations ended, the people would be content knowing that they had lived to finally see true peace for the first time in a thousand years.

#

Late afternoon had begun when the next portion of the festivities began after the preparations were complete. The chapel of the castle filled itself with witnesses to the first of the joyful celebration: the marriage of Albrecht and Penelope.
It was probably the most unusual wedding Logan had ever attended. He had been to several weddings in the past. Grooms in a fancy tuxedo and shoes to match. Brides in beautiful gowns and veils in their hair. But in this wedding, neither the groom or bride were dressed as such. The groom is still in his tunic while the bride is in steel armor.

Seated with Agnes and his mother, Logan is filled with envy towards Albrecht and Penelope. Watching them stand hand in hand before the parapet at the front of the chapel, he sees what could have been between him and Katrina had she lived. With the window above the parapet still broken, he can see the sky outside. Rays of sunshine from the evening sun shine through the opening.

The previous night, Logan had given Albrecht the Ring of Lazarus to present to Penelope which she had used to once more summon the spirits of her loved ones. Leoric and Charlotte were proud of their daughter for her role in saving the kingdom. Charlotte was especially proud of Penelope for her victory over the alpha female of the gargoyle pack, the same creature responsible for her death.
Now Penelope had used the ring again to allow her loved ones to attend her wedding. With the entire chapel bathed in a rosy aura, it set the perfect mood for this occasion. Both her parents and maternal grandparents stand behind her. Edward and Minerva stand behind Albrecht. Sophia herself is seated in one of the pews to witness the ceremony. Those sitting around her give her room as if her presence makes them uneasy.

Albrecht and Penelope had asked Murlock to perform their wedding ceremony. He is honored to do so.

You were right Albrecht, said Penelope. You were the man to heal my wounded heart.

And I would not have become the man I am if not for you, said Albrecht.

He removes the ring Leoric had given him the previous day from his pocket. Penelope takes off one of her gauntlets and allows Albrecht to slip the ring onto her finger. Logan sees the spirit of Leoric beam as this happens.

By the power invested within me, said Murlock, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now   But Albrecht and Penelope did not have to wait for him to finish as she had already taken her new husband into her arms, pulled him close to her, and kissed him to seal the marriage. The chapel itself is filled with cheers and applause to celebrate their happiness.

Take care of her Albrecht, said Charlotte.

Take care of him Penelope, said Leoric.

As the wedding ceremony concludes and the crowd gathered to witness the event disperse and take their leave, all five spirits summoned by the Ring of Lazarus vanish as the aura fades back into the crystal. Penelope picks up the box containing the ring and closes the lid. Logan, she said, here, you may have this back.

Logan shook his head. I do not want it back. It only brings back so many sad memories of what could have been. Now it is only right that I part with it. You can keep it as a wedding present from me.

No, Penelope shook her head. I do not want to keep it.

But Penelope, said Albrecht, with the ring, you will be able to see your loved ones whenever you want.

I do not need the ring to keep their memory alive, said Penelope. The ring you have given me is my last gift to me from my father. He, mother, grandma, grandpa, and Sophia will all be with me in spirit. They will always be with me. As you have done Logan, I need to let go and move on.

Albrecht smiles and wraps one arm around her back. I am so proud of you Penelope.

I need to be strong for the future of my kingdom I serve, said Penelope. I cannot let what I have lost hold me back. I know my revenge against Raven Dark will not bring my father back just as my vengeance against the gargoyle queen will not bring back mother. But even in spite of what he did, I do not hate Raven Dark.

What? asked Logan.

I see him for who and what he is, a once noble knight driven to madness and despair when he failed to save the one he loved. And I cannot help but wonder if something like that could have happened to me.

I think it speaks to her spirit, Albrecht said to Logan. About what kind of person she is to have compassion for the killer of her father in spite of what he had done.

Then if neither of us wants to keep the Ring of Lazarus, what will we do with it?

I will take it, said Murlock.

You? asked Logan.

Yes. It is only right that as the only living person who knew Lazarus that I should hold on to it.

As you wish, Logan said as he handed over the ring. As he surrendered the ring to Murlock, he felt a great weight lift itself off his shoulders. Though he would never look upon the face of his beloved again, he knew she was right. He had to move on.

As he and Murlock head for the doors to the chapel to leave, Logan hears Penelope and Albrecht continue to talk. Albrecht, I know I may not be very ladylike, she said, but I know I will love you forever.

As shall I, said Albrecht.

And I will not allow duty to this kingdom to get in the way of our relationship, nor will it interfere with the upbringing up our children.

How many children do you think we will have?

I do not know. But I would like to have at least one son and daughter to carry on the spirits of my parents. I would also desire to have another son with his fathers courage.

And I would like to have at least one daughter with her mothers strength and valor, said Albrecht.

Logan closes the door, leaving the two to themselves to continue their private discussion of their future together as husband and wife, a relationship that flourished as that of her parents had failed.

#

The cooks had been busy preparing the royal banquet for the celebration. Civilians had donated food from home to contribute to the feast. Tables and chairs are set up in the ballroom to seat up to a thousand people. Everyone else who could not find a seat are forced to take their food elsewhere to eat.

Kain and Gwendolyn had contacted Agnes by now to let her know that their wedding would be held the following morning. Edward and Minerva were told of this news by her and they would leave for Tamirtania through the power of the teleportation stone following breakfast. Logan, Maria, and Agnes had all agreed that tomorrow they would return to Earth for Agnes to begin her new life, and for Logan and Maria to carry on with their own.

Logan sat at a table with his mother and Agnes at his side, their plates loaded with food, each also having a bowl of soup or stew. The massive buffet table contained various cooked meats and vegetables, together with assortments of fruit, bread, salad, casserole, soup, stew, and an assortment of beverages to choose from, including ale, wine, champagne, and water.

It was almost like celebrating Thanksgiving. Everyone had so much to be thankful for now that the war was over and peace was returned to the kingdom. Their lives. Their freedom. Their loved ones.

What will we do once we have returned to Earth? asked Logan after he swallowed a spoonful of mashed potato with gravy.

Well, said Maria, I have decided that I will return to work at the hospital. I am too young to retire. And after all the medical work I have done during the war, I have regained my passion for my work.

And I am certain that I will return to operating the family business of gunsmithing, said Logan as he bit into a turkey drumstick. And I am certain that with her abilities, Agnes would best fit a job in a hotel or inn.

I believe everybody back home will want to hear about what has happened, said Maria.

No mother. Nobody would believe it. Even if Agnes backed up our story. No. It is for the best that we never tell anybody back home.

But then you will be an unsung hero back home!

Earth does not need another hero mother. For now, we should be satisfied with our work here in this world.

Following the banquet, an orchestra gathered their instruments and played songs, Edward joined them with his lute. Couples danced together hand in hand as others watched. Among them are Albrecht and Penelope.

Logan? asked Agnes. Will you dance with me?

What? Logan is surprised by her request.

May I have this dance? She holds out one hand.

I have never had a chance to dance with Katrina, not even in the moonlight. I have danced with both women I courted before her.

He shrugs his shoulder. Why not? Just once with Agnes. Who knows? Even though we are just friends, this could be the beginning of a new relationship. Maybe someday if fate permits it, I will learn to love again. He takes her hand and they step onto the dance floor to join the other couples. He sees some of the men and women have pulled together in the arms of each other. For now, he and Agnes would dance hand in hand only.

Not yet, he tells himself. We are only just friends, for now. Someday, I may learn to love another woman after developing new feelings for her. But not yet. Not yet.
The celebration continued long into the night. Only soon after midnight is Logan able to climb into bed within his chambers. The events of the day weigh heavily upon him. So much had happened. The recovery of Katrinas body. Her cremation together with that of Janus. His dances with Agnes.

He fell asleep, knowing that this would be his last night in this world. Tomorrow, he would finally be going home, taking his new friend, and what was left of his family with him.

So much would change in the future now that Agnes is coming home with him and his mother. There would be new possibilities for him. And he found himself wondering if someday she would be among them.

#

Following breakfast the next morning, Edward, Minerva, and Agnes use the teleportation stone to transport themselves to Tamirtania to attend the wedding of Kain and Gwendolyn. Feeling that he had nothing better to do, Logan followed them. Maria also went along on the magical trip. They were both careful not to have taken the stone into their hands when they activated it. To do so would force them to return to Iconoclast by ship.

Murlock would be returning to Dunkilus later in the afternoon. He would be taking with him the urn containing the ashes of Janus. Ashes which would be spread in Judgiollas, the land of his greatest heroics. He had also gathered the ashes of Katrina into another urn and left it in the bedchamber where Logan had slept. Logan would claim it before he returned home to Earth.

The villagers of Tamirtania welcomed Logan with open arms. Kain and Gwendolyn were happy to see that he had come to attend their wedding. He had helped saved Gwendolyn from captivity after all. If not for him, she would still be a prisoner. They never would have found each other again.

The wedding in the castle chapel is more traditional than the one he had attended yesterday. Gwendolyn wore a silk white gown with a matching veil and Kain wore his best royal robe. The couple exchanged vows, Kain slipped the ring on her finger, and they sealed the union with their first kiss as newlyweds. The crowd claps and cheers in celebration of their prince and his marriage.

Following the wedding is the coronation of the new king of the land of Tamirtania. Both Kain and Gwendolyn kneel before the thrones as the golden crowns are set upon their heads. They arise and take their seats upon the thrones. Everyone bows their heads in reverence to welcome the beginning of the rulership of their king and his queen. Logan sees Edward embrace Kain as if welcoming him into the family.

At the same time, Logan also felt guilty for know that after today, all the friends he had made in this world would likely never see him again after he returned to Earth.

#

After a royal feast, it was time for Edward and Minerva to return to Iconoclast and rejoin their people. Though the kingdoms would be celebrating for several more days, soon they would begin the process of rebuilding and healing the wounds of their lands. They promised to keep in touch with Kain and his queen. In the future, there would be new additions to the family in form of children.

Kain returned the teleportation stone and communication charm to Logan before they activated the power of the stone to return them to Iconoclast. They would be returned to Murlock before he left for Dunkilus.

It is time for me to go, said Logan. Back to my home world.

So soon? asked Edward. The celebrations are not over yet.

I am sorry, said Logan. But even though this world is at peace once more, there are too many painful memories for me here. My work in this world is finished. There is nothing more I can do, not even to contribute to the rebuilding.

We understand, said Minerva. This is our world, not yours. It should not be your responsibility.

You dont need me anymore, said Logan. And this world will heal a lot easier without me.

Whatever do you mean? asked Minerva.

You all know too much about me now. It can never go back to the way it was. Once I return to Earth, you will probably never see me again.

Logan, said Edward, so much has happened in this world thanks to you. What happened in your past doesnt matter to any of us. Your deeds shall be remembered and passed down through time to become legends. Your bloodline will always be welcome here.

I know, said Logan. But with Raven Dark sealed away and the Scourge history, there is no more evil to threaten this world.

Evil will always exist in the hearts of men and women, said Minerva. Though the people will never forget what happened that fateful evening one thousand years ago, many have come to forgive Garibaldi in the light of his words in the courtyard before that battle began. More people are signing the petition to have him pardoned. Even in spite of everything, there are still some who will live the rest of their days hating him.

And I am no longer one of them, said Logan. I know I told him that I would never forgive him, but that was the past. Now all I can do is let go and move on now that I have finally completed my vengeance against the person truly responsible for everything. All that is left for me now is to put my past behind me. Only once I do so shall I finally find the peace of mind and soul I craved ever since Garibaldi died. And if leaving this world behind is the only way to do it, so be it. But it will take me a while to learn how to live again.

If you must go Logan, said Edward, then do so. We shall never forget you.

And we promise that your legacy will always live on, said Minerva. From now on, every year we shall commemorate your heroics as a worldwide holiday.

Logan found it difficult not to smile. If Revelin had hoped to destroy his legacy, he had failed miserably. Logan himself would be remembered for all time while Revelin would fade away into obscurity.

Farewell my friends, said Logan, for we will never meet again.

#

Logan spent the next hour saying goodbye to his friends, wishing them well in the future. Everyone did the same for him, bidding him good luck in his future. When the petition calling for Garibaldis pardon was presented to him, he signed his name with a flourish. The petition had the names of hundreds from the five kingdoms still inhabited by humans. On the scrolls for Arcanius, he found Agnes name. He asked himself if Katrina could have found it in her heart to forgive Garibaldi if she had known the truth about the master controlling his soul.
Before he leaves the castle, he takes the urn containing the ashes of Katrina and meets with his mother and Agnes in the entrance hall.

Are you looking forward to your new life? Maria asks Agnes.

It feels so strange to say goodbye to this world where I have lived my whole life. But there is nothing left for me here but painful memories.
Then you understand how I feel.

Is there nothing you want to take with you? he asked.

Agnes shook her head. There is nothing. Everyone I have ever possessed has been destroyed, save the clothes that I wear.

Everything?

Yes. Even the ashes of my mother that my father kept on the fireplace mantle back at the inn was destroyed in the fire. I have nothing to remind me of what I have lost. Nothing but memories.

So do I Agnes, he said.

Outside, in the sunlight of the mid afternoon sky, they find Murlock standing near the obelisk in the courtyard as if waiting for something. 

So youre leaving Logan? asked Murlock.

Yes, said Logan as he returns the magical charms to the old wizard. I must return home to where I belong, leaving my past behind me.

I wish I could do the same, said Murlock. But I know that it will be impossible.

What will you do now?

Once I return to Dunkilus, I will begin work to restore the land of Judgiollas to its former glory. Fiona would have wanted it that way.

But what of the land of your birth? Pandorium?

Murlock shook his head grimly. Pandorium is still under a powerful curse inflicted by my father.

Valkereye?

Yes. Perhaps someday, we will find a way to lift that curse. And as for my father, I can only hope that his time on Earth has rehabilitated him. Someday, maybe he will be be able to come back. But not yet. Then again, perhaps it is for the best that he remains in exile, for no one could ever forget what he has done. His legacy lives on in the creatures he gave life to through his own magic and blood. Creatures that continue to haunt the land to this day.

He deserves to know the truth about Janus.

Murlock, there is something you need to know, about Janus.

Janus? What about him?

I visited him in the dungeon the night before his execution and gave him the Ring of Lazarus. When he spoke the name of my ancestor, nothing happened.

But if he was able to temporarily inherit the power of Raven Dark, then he must  have been descended from my father! And in a way, that would have made us kin! Logan sees a new sense of sorrow reflect itself upon Murlocks face. I cannot help but feel that I have lost two brothers this day. One real. The other who carries the blood of my father.

I am sorry Murlock. It seems I am not the only one who lost someone. But Raven Dark is only cursed and imprisoned, he is not dead.

Maybe. But in a way, he is still dead to me. He must never escape the curse of that dagger. I fear that someday, mankinds greed and ignorance will set him free. And in doing so, he will carry on his crusade. And when that time comes, who will save us?

By that time, I will have probably passed on, as he predicted.

Perhaps. I fear that if that is the case, if there is no one to take your place, we are all doomed. But we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Logan sees the carriage pass through the gates underneath the courtyard gatehouse and approach Murlock who stands patiently waiting.

As for the Sword of Iconoclast, I will take it with me and find a place to safeguard it for when it is needed again. But for the first time in many years, I feel as if there is a new sense of hope for a better future for us all.
And for yourself? asked Logan.

Who knows? Maybe someday I will be able to forgive myself. But not yet. Not now. Who knows what the future will bring for us all? Only time will tell. Murlock opens the door on the side of the carriage and steps in. Farewell my friend, he said. I wish you the best of luck on whatever journey the future has in store for you.

He closes the door behind him. The carriage driver whips the reins of the horses and they begin to march, carrying their burden behind them. Logan watches as the carriage once more passes through the gates leading back to the city, becoming smaller as it travels further away from him. He knew that he would never see Murlock again. He pitied his ancient friend for never truly having gotten over his past. Then again, who would be able to considering everything that had happened? All the deaths he believed he was responsible for? Though he had done his part to save the world, Logan wondered if Murlocks reputation had once more been tarnished now that his past had once more caught up with him amid the recent generation of humanity.

Perhaps he would never know. Perhaps it was just as well. He had no control over what Murlock did or believed. All he could do now was focus on his future.

Will he be all right? asked Agnes.

Logan shrugged. We may never know. Perhaps one day he will learn to overcome his own feelings of guilt and regret. Maybe he will never truly be at peace. Then again, maybe someday he will find the redemption he seeks.

Agnes looks up at the sky and all her surroundings one last time as if savoring the moment to say a final goodbye to the world she had lived her whole life in. 
Farewell world of Iconoclast, she said. For I will never look upon your beauty ever again.

There will be many things for you to discover and see on Earth, said Maria. 
Come, let us go home. All of us.

Home, Logan muttered to himself. He was anxious to get home again. Though he had only been back on the farm just to get his fathers plane, now he would be coming home for good.

Logan, whatever happened to your fathers fighter plane? asked Maria.

Sorry mother, said Logan regretfully, but it was destroyed during my arrival on the floating castle.

I see, said Maria after a short silence as if knowing that the last remnant of her late husband is gone forever. Perhaps it was for the best. That plane was a reminder of the war that killed him. Though I had it restored for sentimental purposes, it did little to quell my grief. I do not need it around to be reminded of the horrors of the Great War.

And I will always remember this war, said Logan. Though it inflicted great devastation to this world, in the end, we have won. Though I wonder if the sacrifices we made were worth it.

Sometimes the few have to give their lives for the many, said Maria.

I know that. Now I do. Now lets go home and enjoy the rest of our lives. This is the first day of the beginning of a bright new future for all of us.

Including you? asked Agnes, her voice filled with worry.

Yes, said Logan. But when we return to Earth, there is one thing that I must do before I can begin to live again. He gazes upon the urn in his possession.

#

There had been much to do since they activated the power of the medallion to return to Earth. It was decided that until Agnes could afford her own place of residence, she could stay at the farm. Maria took her to the city where they bought her some new clothes. The also saw a Help Wanted ad in the window of a fancy hotel. According to the bulletin, the hotel had an opening for someone to help with cleaning and kitchen duty.

Agnes had so many questions about what she saw. She commented on the architecture of the buildings and how high some of them were compared to the buildings in the realm of Iconoclast. She asked what a car was and how they could move without being pulled by horses. Why people dressed so strangely?

The farmhands had asked about this strange women who had appeared from nowhere. Maria told them that she was a poor unfortunate soul looking for her place in the world. They never told anyone the truth about her or where they had been and what had transpired.

As for Logan himself, he left his mother the responsibility of helping Agnes adjust to her new life for the moment. There was something he had to do first before he would lend her a helping hand.

The day before, he had sent a telegram to Katrinas family, telling them that he was returning some of Katrinas belongings that he had recovered and requested their address so he could drop them off. He received a quick reply a mere hour later.

He booked a flight for London, taking with him the urn containing Katrinas ashes, with her diary with one pocket. Exchanging some of the money he brought with him to pounds, he took a taxi to the address they had given him. The location of the address is a Victorian mansion beyond a steel fence a few trees growing in the yard and a fountain in the middle of the  pavement splitting the lawn.

Instructing the driver of the taxi to wait for him, he walked past the open gate and beyond the fountain to the front door of the mansion. Each step he took felt like those taken by a condemned man on the way to his execution. Though he knew he had to do what he had come to do, he felt in the pit of his stomach a feeling of great loss knowing that today was the day he say goodbye to Katrina for the final time.

He took the brass knocker on the door and rapped it against the wood surface. He stepped back and waited with great anxiety. Part of him wanted to turn back and leave, but the other part of him stood erect and forced him to stay.

At last, after several long moments, the door opened. Standing in the doorway is a man and woman who appear to be in either their late forties or early fifties.

Yes? asked the man.

Logan opened his mouth to speak, but struggled to find the right words.

Are you Logan? asked the woman.

They know who I am. This should be easier now.

He held out the urn containing the ashes of Katrina. Here. Her ashes.

The man and woman stare at his offering with wide eyes as if this was unexpected. They had been expecting him to return some lost possessions. But to bring them her ashes?

The woman carefully takes the urn into both hands and appraises it. She opens the lid and peers inside expectantly. She stares into the darkness for several seconds before replacing the lid, satisfied. She nods at Logan as if to thank him.

And here is her diary, he said taking it out of his pocket and holding it out. 
The man takes it into his hands and opens it. He skims through the pages for several moments as if verifying that the handwriting is genuine. Finally he closes the book.

I am going to put this on the mantle, said the woman. She sniffles as if overwhelmed with emotion that at long last her daughter has finally come home and that they now have something to remember her for. She turns away and walks down the hall beyond the door. Logan hears her wailing in happiness.

The man nods at Logan. Thank you Logan, he said. This means so much to us.

I know, said Logan.

Our daughter told us so much about you. She was very fond of you. She said you were the best thing that ever happened to her.

Logan found it difficult to speak after hearing those words.

Had she survived, we would have gladly welcomed you into our family, her father said. He gently pats Logan on the shoulder several times. You are a good man Logan.

Logan took in every word spoken by his would-be father-in-law.

Thank you again Logan, said Katrinas father. He steps away and closes the door.

Logan stands in silence for several long moments. He had done it. He had returned Katrinas ashes to her family as well as her diary. Though her family would never hear her voice again, her written words would speak for her. Though they had been denied the peace of mind knowing what had become of their daughters body after her death, now having her ashes would ease their troubled sleep.

Though he had done a great good, Logan knew that this was the moment he and Katrina parted ways forever. Never again would he look upon her face. Never to hear her voice. To feel the touch of her hand upon him. To feel her heart beat against his own when embracing. Though a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders, he felt a strong sense of loss of himself. A piece of his soul was gone, never to be reclaimed.

But at the same time, he felt as if he had been set free. After being imprisoned so long by his grief, by saying goodbye and parting with everything that had reminded him of her, all he could do now was move forward. 

He had made a promise to Katrina at her grave that he would avenge her, a promise that he had fulfilled. When he was about to cremate her, he made her a new promise, though at the time he felt as if he would never truly be able to fulfill it. But standing before her home, having given away her ashes and diary, there was nothing to hold him back in the past.

Think of this new promise as one last way of honoring my memory. Her words to him through the Ring of Lazarus reminded him of her final wish. Promise me that you will live your life to the fullest and find happiness and a new purpose.

She is right, Logan told himself. I cannot live in the past forever. I have released myself from the chains that her memory bound me to. I have nothing left to remind me of her. Nothing but memories. But I made a promise to her before I cremated her, one that will take me the rest of my life to fulfill.

Katrina, I promise you that my new life begins now! he said to himself. He turns and heads back to the waiting taxi. His business here in London had been completed. Now he would return home and begin a new life without Katrina. A life as if they had never met. She would have wanted him to move on. Now that was what exactly he would do. He had done much to ensure life as it was went on. It was only right that he should live to enjoy the fruits of his work.

If war truly changes anything, it is the men and women who fight just as they change through the roads they walk in life. And for me, the road I have long walked since Katrina died has finally reached its end.

					The End 