In Death, There is Hope

Thane looked upon his visitors, happy to finally have come to play with them. Having been told by Lord Roland to keep all who enter the caste out. He took that literally, for he included all residents of the castle. But was unsuccessful for dealing with it for the castle was broken. Chaos energies had caused his plan to go wrong, but it was not mater now.

Gliding down to the wet ground, the flash of lightning and echoing thunder revealing his face briefly. Watching as the Reinhard drew his weapon, but Thane chuckled, "You think your attacks with that weapon are going to affect me? Only a few weapons have been able to harm me." He saw Chase wielding one of them while Godfrey and Thomas didn't have any of the weapons that could.

Cyrus looked at Wolf's Fang and guessed that it might work if he charged it with CEP. But he knew that if any weapon was going to affect Thane it would be his Inheritor's Chained Blade. His main problem was getting close enough to deal significant damage to Thane.

However Thane was getting impatient, "It seems only two of you are able to fight. I shall send the others away so they don't interfere." With a loud metal clicking sound from his scythe on the stone roof. Dark portals opened, pulling Thomas and Godfrey out of the combat.

[Two party members have left, you will gain full CM for defeating Thane.]

Cyrus drew his Chained Blade and let it activate with the runes. Causing a purple flame to emanate from the runes on the blade. Chase drew his own sword and prepared to cast a spell. While Thane cackled dragging his scythe across the ground.

"Time to play," A crash of lightning hit the roof and erupted as the two groups charged one another. Chase used a set of light Spears to fire at Thane. While Cyrus fired two empowered rounds hoping his weapon would deal damage. Thane cut the Spears causing them to shatter. But the bullets pierced his robes and caused him to flinch.

They were strong enough to stagger him when empowered but he was able to tell that they had no effect. Switching tactics Cyrus used his Call Lightning spell. His shackle charged with electricity he felt his hand grip something as he pulled it down. As he did so, he watched as the storm above caused 3 bolts of lightning to crash and strike Thane.

[Call Lightning is enhanced while inside a storm. Instead of one bolt, a target is hit with 3 instead.]

This meant Cyrus caused 30 points of damage in but at a hefty cost of his CEP. Not wanting to waste that much again he dashed in and went to strike with his sword. As soon as he got close he felt his strength drain. Thane's aura of weakness was kicking in.

[Aura of Weakness: halves STR stat and makes any who are within it have -30% resistance.]

But Cyrus managed to still deal his damage as he struck Thane. The extra effect from having Fenrir's Shackle on caused an two ethereal blades to strike with his own. It looked like it was wielded by different person's hand. As it was robed which he had to guess was the figure helping him from within the blade itself. One hand looked like a man's while the other a woman's.

Thane felt the strike and backed away using his scythe to swipe at Cyrus. Seeing the blade coming he used his Devouring Chain to pull him away from the strike. Chase didn't let Thane get away easily as he cast another set of Spears. Three collided with the reaper and caused him to look at Chase.

"Your father told me to prevent all from entering the castle. This includes you prince, step down and you will come out alive." But Chase seemed unfazed as he prepared another set of 3 Spears. Thane then raised his scythe, "So be it."

With a slash of his scythe, he created a tear which seemed to spawn skeletons and mages. They came running out of the rear and went to attack Chase. Leaving him to deal with the creatures he summoned so Thane could fight Cyrus. Raising his weapon both Thane and Cyrus locked eyes.

"It has been a long time since I fought your kind mortal." Thane vanished in a blur of motion. Stepping forward he felt his scenes kick in as Thane had appeared behind him with the scythe around his neck. "Too easy," Thane said, but before he could draw the blade. A dark shadow held the blade in place.

'I shall protect us!' Vexxitiz said in Cyrus' mind. This allowed Cyrus to use his Enhance skill and unlock his natural stats. Now with each strike coming back as 34 damage per swing. Cyrus was able to deal 102 damage to Thane as he was surprised.

Thane vanished and reappeared a distance away. Unsure as to what had happened when he thought he was going to kill Cyrus. Something held his scythe in place and stopped his movement. Watching Cyrus turn around to face Thane sent a weird feeling down his spine.

Cyrus didn't want to hold back any more, he decided to keep Vexxitiz summoned, then summoned Er'Delrune, Grimm, and Fenrir in wolf form. The sword and book floated around Cyrus as Fenrir growled at Thane. The sight was strange for he never expected a Reinhard to have this many different powers.

"Summoning, magic, and martial training!" Thane roared, "What manner of human are you? No Reinhard has ever used all three skills with such skill." He watched as Grimm caused the Light Spears spell. But noticed that they looked much stronger as their form had altered slightly.

Cyrus grabbed Er'Delrune in his left hand and allowed him to drink from his HP to empower it.

[HP 16/42]

[Entering Unshackled Form]

Cyrus' form altered before Thane. He saw that his right arm had the metal band shatter. His arm was glowing a light purple color as right eye also had the same type of purple sheen as the wolf next to him. With a brief howl Cyrus had activated his skill Fenrir's Howl doubling the power of all his summons.

Grimm's eye started to let out a blue mist causing the Spears to double in size. Er'Delrune's blade seemed to glow with a reddish light. While Fenrir's fur stood on end and just behind his head purple flames appeared.

Thane was not expecting him to buff his summons and have an alternate form that didn't look human. He then watched as Cyrus pointed his Chained Blade at Thane. In that moment, he created a bone wall to defend himself. But shortly after could feel a blade in his back as Fenrir had activated his speed buff. Fenrir had taken Er'Delrune into his maw and used their combined power to deal significant damage to Thane.

Er'Delrune used Sword Dance which carved a 5-pointed star in a red color as Fenrir came crashing down. He managed to block the smashing strike but still took severe damage. Cyrus moved in as well and with his stats doubled all his damage and power had increased dramatically. Each strike of his sword dealt 132 damage as he swing his blade into the barrier.

Bones shattered out from behind Thane having have to retreat from taking more damage. It wasn't the fact that the attacks were dealing heavy damage. Thane just wanted to avoid being swarmed. But as he thought that Light Spears came down from the sky and pierced his body. With Cyrus' unshackled stats and doubled power from Grimm, the attacks dealt 160 per spear.

"Argh!" Thane called out as he felt them pierce his robed body. Cyrus had approached Thane quickly and raised his blade to strike. Turning away to not see if the strike would hit, but nothing made contact with his body. Instead when he turned around he could feel the blade only a few inches from his skull.

There stood a man, surrounding Thane with each of his summons. More spears hung above him as both Fenrir and Er'Delrune were at Thane's sides. Cyrus had the Aspect of Death cornered. There was nothing that Thane could do only having to wait till his death.

That is when Cyrus said something Thane didn't expect to hear, "Surrender and you may live. I have no interest in killing someone who serves the lord of this castle. All I wish is for the orb you possess so I can save the lord from the Shadows." Cyrus held his sword in place, not moving until he got a response from Thane.

Thane looked up at Cyrus who was showing him mercy. He couldn't understand why he wanted to save Roland. For the Reinhard family always attempted to hunt him. It made no sense but as he was going to refuse Chase had approached him as well.

"Listen to him Thane," he said sheathing his sword. "Cyrus Reinhard is here to save my father from a corrupting darkness that had taken root. He saved my brother, earned the trust of Godfrey, and has earned my respect and loyalty. Let us pass," Chase pleaded, not wanting to end the conflict in blood.

Thane released his grip on his scythe and looked at Cyrus, "I see you have a goal that I did not foresee." He reached into his chest piercing the fabric, "However, you can not save Roland without my death." Pulling hard as the sound of cracking and snapping sounds. A black orb covered in bone dust and black tendons was held within his grasp.

[You have defeated the Aspect of Death, Thane!]

[2,000 CM rewarded and a special item is left for you]

Both Cyrus and Chase saw this happen and they all froze. Lowering his weapon he knelt down to Thane, but he waved a hand causing Thomas and Godfrey to reappear. They both saw the scene as well and were unsure of what events had transpired. But Thane placed the orb in Cyrus' hands.

"Take it..." he shuttered as his robe beginning to dissolve, "You could not have passed through... without my death." Thane rolled to be on his back, a small chuckle left his clicking teeth. "Never would I have thought a Reinhard... to be kind and show mercy to a monster."

Chase felt to his knees holding Thane's hand. The bony fingers held Chase's hands with a firm but faltering grip. "Don't be discouraged young Prince, you will see me again... I am the Aspect of Death, I don't truly die. But," his lower body has now fully dissolved, "if I were were to be gone, then I shall say that I hope I have served your family well."

Cyrus didn't want Thane to die, he wasn't wanting to kill him. But here he was, sacrificing his life so they could save Roland Galihath's. Placing the orb in his inventory, then placing a hand on Thane's head. Upon touching Thane his system popped up.

[Would you like to claim the Aspect of Death, Thane as a new summon? If not done now, Thane will be gone.]

Cyrus saw this and looked at him, "Thane, do you wish to serve me? I can save your life now if you wish me to." All of his friends looked at him in surprise and then to Thane. But they saw him shake his head.

"I will not, I wish to die as my lord's servant. If I do come back, I shall consider it. If I don't, then I shall die happily knowing a descendent of the Reinhard family has given me hope. Hope that humans can change and coexist with us monsters of Chaos." His chest was now dissolving, they all looked at Thane and bowed their heads.

Cyrus wanted to save him, but he decided to show his respect and selected NO. Cyrus could feel the essence of Thane vanishing with his enhanced senses. He could the peace Thane was going through as his energy was fading. Surrounded by individuals who had no hatred for the creatures of this world.

The grip in Chase's hand vanished as Thane's hand went limp and dissolved. The robes covering Thane disappeared along with his body. His skull looked at Cyrus and with a few final words Thane managed to utter.

"Thank you..." Then, Thane was gone. They all watched as the essence of Thane drifted through the air. The rain pouring down on them as they all felt a pain in their chests. Tears weld in Cyrus' eyes as he knew Thane would never return. He knew the truth and it pained him even more. Fenrir sat next to Cyrus as let out a long howl. He helped by showing the pain that Cyrus felt deep within. As well as a final farewell to a devoted Chaos being.

As Fenrir's mournful howl finished Godfrey placed a gentle hand on Cyrus' shoulder. Looking up, his tears mixed in with the rain and nodding. He stood and looked towards the door. His system gave him a chest and some other items.

[For letting Thane go, you have been given something for letting him die peacefully.]

[Thane's Blessing: Given by Thane upon his death, allows the user to commune with spirits of the dead. Can hear their whispers and they will aid you if not hostile.]

[Soul Ripper: Thane's Scythe, deals 20 + STR/DEX slashing damage and drains the target's HP, half of the damage is given to you as healing.]

[20,000 coins, Reaper's Cloth material, and a Superior Crystal]

Cyrus saw all the items and looked sad, but happy that he did the right thing. He could even feel a warm touch on his cheek as he saw the ghostly figure of Celeste. She had wiped the tears from his eyes and gave a soft smile. Then disappeared towards the door as he felt his sadness had been eased. But not taken away from him as his heart was still wracked with pain.

Thomas helped Chase up and gave him a hug. The two brothers shared a moment of caring and compassion for each other. As they felt the same pain as Cyrus did. For them, Thane was a teacher and guardian of the two sons of Roland. Having Thane gone for them was a worse feeling. It was as if they had just watched a family member die in front of them.

They marched forward and into the next floor, getting to see Whisper, for the final time before their arrival at the door. It was a painful experience, but they knew it couldn't have been done any other way.