The Final Showdown - Part 1 - Magic & Mushrooms

The iridescent armor glistened softly in the moonlight as Ryder soared quickly through the forest. The wind blew softly through the trees as he rushed by, rustling leaves, causing some to fall on the ground in his wake. The night was cold, but he was comfortable under the warmth of his magical armor.

The frei’s mind raced as he flew through the trees, he thought of how Xiu and Cesc had been extremely gracious not only in helping with the task of outfitting him in armor and giving him a weapon, but also in finding Erryd and being his support through the entire ordeal. Although he had been grateful for the help thus far, taking on Erryd, he knew, was something he had to do himself. Luckily, he had Alice to help now and the two were able to rest up before making their way deep into the forest.

Alice also seemed determined as she followed behind Ryder at a quick pace. Her golden breastplate and skirt sparkled as the moon caught glimpses of it through the trees. She had reason to hate Erryd, to want nothing more than to see him dead. She wanted her revenge on him for herself just as much as she wished it for Ryder. She couldn’t be deterred. Now, thanks to Rhedefre, she was Ryder’s living shield to help him on this journey.

The forest floor grew colder as they neared Erryd’s location. It was as if the tendrils of evil magic had changed the aura of the area in which it was being manipulated. Ryder’s nerves began beating on his brain. Did he really have the power to do this? The strength? He questioned himself multiple times, but knew what he needed to do and would not give up -- not now.

The toadstool took a moment to glance down at the intricate golden dagger that Cesc had created for him before placing it delicately within his armor. It was an immaculate creation and would serve his purpose perfectly in destroying the imagining that overtook his life for so long. Revenge was sweet, and he needed it. That feeling is what drove him deeper into the forest with each passing moment.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the frei could make out a figure in the distance within a small clearing of the forest. It was dark but illuminated with a magical bright green and violet amalgamation of light. A signature color that Ryder was well versed in due to his own practicings with this specific type of magic.

As Ryder approached, he could make out what his shadow was doing. The abomination was warping a small bird and lizard together with his magic, a very disgraceful use of it, in order to build a new dragon-like creation.

Alice’s blood began to boil upon seeing the shadow. She had been a victim to his magic for what seemed to be an eternity just a month prior. Day in and day out, month by month she was forced to relive the same horrid day over and over in that blasted tower. Her anger festered within, but she knew she needed to allow Ryder to begin this approach. She would have happily went straight up to the bastard and bashed him over the head with her shield without a second thought; however she was here to back Ryder up, help him in any way she could, not do things for him.

As the two protagonists made their way into the clearing, Ryder knew it was time to put a stop to this once and for all. “Erryd,” the toadstool called with a deep, unwavering tone. His eyes piercing and heart racing even faster than it already was.

The shadow twirled around in a fright, leaving his magical beast to progress on its own. An evil smirk grew upon his countenance. “Well, well, well. Look who finally woke up,” he said, a small chuckle escaping his lips. “And Alice, what a pleasure it is to see you out of your cage. Fancy getup you have there.”

“You did not expect to keep me in that state forever, did you?” Ryder questioned, clenching his fists, anger boiling inside as Alice stood behind her creator stoically, not feeding her anger with more of his words.

“Oh, not at all. I didn’t even have to keep you there, you did that all by yourself. But I must ask, how did you like my dungeon? Wasn’t it a wonderful imagining? It seemed so real, right?” Erryd chuckled, waving his hand outward as if to shove them off. He seemed perfectly fine to see Ryder and Alice here. No worry in his demeanor whatsoever.

“To be completely honest, I was not terribly impressed. I could do far better.”

“Yeah right,” Erryd scoffed, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. “Run along, little rainbow, before I snuff out your light. I’m giving you one warning and that is all you’ll get.”

Ryder’s eyes narrowed. “Well, I feel as though you should take your own advice, shadow. Light will always overcome the darkness.”

Erryd let out a laugh. “Do you really believe that the words your old video game spouted will help you in real life? ‘Light will always overcome the darkness’.” Erryd mocked, shaking his head. “Pfft, you really are daft. I am not about to play with you, boy. Run home to daddy before I get truly angry. I have had much more time to hone this magic and I can tell you now that I am far stronger than you ever were and ever will be,” he concluded turning to his little dragon-esque creation he was forming prior to his nemesis arrival.

Ryder did not waver, he floated there in confidence.

“We will not be deterred that easily, Erryd. You have to pay for what you’ve done,” Alice finally spoke, taking a few steps forward and standing tall and proud next to her creator.

Erryd turned around slowly, eyes narrow, dropping his half built creation onto the ground, which scurried into the nearby bushes. “Okay...fine. Let us have a little fun,” he said as he snapped his fingers. From the darkness of the nearby trees emerged a creature of vines. “Meet Ivy, my own personal Alice 2.0,” he said with a chuckle.

Ivy glared at the two as it approached its own creator, it’s arms of vines dangling to the ground and dragging with each step. Once it arrived at Erryd’s side, it was met with a pat on its back. She was crafted from all natural materials, that much was obvious.

Alice shook her head. “You really think that thing can compare to me?” she questioned, scoffing at the thought.

Erryd took a moment to chuckle. “Trust me, she’s better,” he began, “Ryder, let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? Remember that primal you created when you were with Xiu? You do recall what kind of damage that did, right? That it took even Xiu, a valsaros, some time to stop it. Well, Ivy here is even stronger than that. Do you also remember the notes you copied from Calista’s spell book, regarding the energy sapping? Well, I have been using the knowledge we gleaned in that short time and have been imbuing her with power for months which has kept her alive and growing stronger. Something you were never able to accomplish with this magic. I’m so excited you get to witness her power.” He laughed maniacally.

Ryder floated back a bit in surprise. He swallowed the growing lump in his throat. “Alice, be careful. If what he says is true, it may be more formidable than it looks.”

“Heh. I can take it, no problem,” Alice said with a chuckle, narrowing her eyes, her grip tightening on her shield. “You just make sure to kill this bastard,” she concluded in a low tone, as to not let Erryd hear. Both kept their eyes locked on the traitor before them.

“No need to keep secrets, dear. We’re all friends here,” Erryd called from across the clearing with a laugh. “How about we have a little fun?” he asked aloud, pointing at Alice. His demeanor darkening instantly. “Go.”

Ivy let out a long screech which could be heard throughout the clearing before using its strong limbs to push itself off the ground and high into the sky. Whilst at its peak in the air, it thrust its right arm down, which extended quickly, right at Alice in hopes of stabbing her with the point of its vine.

Alice reacted quickly, throwing up the shield Cesc had created for her and deflecting the vine, resulting in a reverberated sound as if a gong had just been hit. As Ivy fell towards Alice, it landed on the shield and was quickly tossed off in the opposite direction.

“Okay, let’s do this,” Alice stated, regaining her composure and turning to face her foe. “I’ll keep it occupied. Ryder, take him down,” she said, turning her full attention to Ivy.

“Take care, Alice,” Ryder replied in a quick, hushed tone.

With a nod, Alice charged at Ivy, bashing her with the shield, starting the battle of creations.

Ryder, however, floated forward slowly with clenched fists. He had not yet wanted to share his concealed weapon with his shadow self. Luckily, the magical armor Cesc provided had two useful properties. First, it protected him from harm. Secondly, it acted as an invisible cloak of sorts, able to hide things within itself without any visible trace.

“So, it’s just you and I, little rainbow? Oh, now I have the opportunity to have some fun with you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Erryd said, a ball of green and violet magic growing within his hands. He clenched the ball with his dominant hand, which formed into a handle and from it sprouted a magical strand, expanding to resemble a blade so familiar. “Do you like where I took the inspiration?” he asked, whipping the blade to shake off the pixelated magical dust, revealing a real replica of Xiu’s signature sword. It glimmered in the moonlight as Erryd grinned.

Ryder released his clenched fists, not saying a word. He floated firm in his stance. He wasn’t about to budge. “Let us see who really has all the power here,” he finally spoke.

Erryd nodded. “Gladly. AHHHH!” he screamed, charging forth as fast as his wings would carry him, sword in both hands at his side, slicing through the air as he flew forward.

Ryder could tell Erryd had taken his positioning from watching Xiu. But, it would never compare to the real thing. Just as Erryd brought the sword over his head and began to swing down at his foe, Ryder quickly unmasked the dagger which had been hidden away, sliding it out of its sheath and placing the golden blade quickly above his head, stabilizing his wrist with his free hand to help take the impact. As the blades met, sparks of molten metal, as though one were grinding a sword, flew off of the impact site. Within a blink of an eye, Erryd’s sword was sliced in half, the top half fell to the ground. Erryd was taken aback, looking at his sword as it disintegrated into magical dust within his palm.

“H-how?” Erryd said, looking down at the magical residue left behind, his hand twitching with a mix of nerves and anger.

Ryder held the dagger tightly, looking at it with pride as it glowed softly like the afternoon sun. “You can thank Cesc for that,” he said, resheathing the blade. “My friends, the ones you always told me hated me, the ones you always said would never truly care...those friends are the ones that came to aid me in my time of need.”

Erryd scoffed. “You do realize they only wish to see you dead. Why else would they have let you come here alone? True friends wouldn’t have. Had they truly cared, they would be here, fighting by your side.”

“No,” Ryder began. “Your words mean nothing to me, Erryd. You will never know the meaning of true friendship. They are here with me, regardless of the physicality. After all, sometimes you have to take down your demons alone.”

Erryd’s eyes narrowed and fists clenched in anger. He screamed and charged at Ryder with full force, quickly crafting a dagger seemingly out of thin air behind him as he lunged. He tackled Ryder to the ground and lifted the dagger over his head before bringing it down upon Ryder’s chest. To no avail. The dagger instantly disintegrated upon contact with the iridescent armor and continued to do so until the dagger was no more. The iridescent shimmer glowing outward as the impact ensued.

Ryder grabbed the collar of Erryd’s shirt and with all his adrenaline induced might, threw Erryd off of him to the ground beside, but not before Erryd tossed a few quick punches to Ryder’s face and the side of his head.

With a heavy thud, Erryd hit the ground. He quickly recovered and flew back a few feet to put some distance between them, albeit obviously winded. Physical fighting was never a forte of either frei, regardless, and in doing so, was tiring both of them out.

Due to the few punches Ryder endured, he was disoriented and left with a bloody lip as retribution. He couldn’t seem to find his balance to get back up. The frei laid on the ground, propping himself up by his elbow and open palm, wincing in pain whilst trying to regain control of his mind and the surroundings.

Both of Erryd’s hands began to glow with bright green and violet light. Within a moment, a small ball of magic floated before him. The surrounding foliage began to wilt and die as the energy harvested from them made its way to the magical orb held within the shadow’s hands, causing it to grow slowly over time. He then spoke, “You have no idea the type of power I wield. I will kill you, Ryder. I will take over your life, ruin it, and build my own in its ashes. I will take this magic and, with the help of the Trader, empower my creations to one day rule the world. I will be the greatest mage of all time and my name will be plastered in every spell book for all to see. You have no power, Ryder. I have it all. You are mundane and cannot do a single thing to stop me. I will show you the true power of what the Trader bestowed upon us. You failed to utilize it and I will succeed in making it stronger.”