As the Illgain's body disintegrated into a pile of thick, black sand, Ethan grasped at his arm, realizing he was no longer holding the sword. He looked up to see Rider, standing triumphantly over his former leader, placing the mask on his face.
"What are you doing?!" Ethan screamed.
"I am uniting the world! This plane needed a leader who could lead with a strong hand, and with mercy. Now, with the power of this blade, I can be the king they deserve," Rider said, staring at the sword as the electricity flickered between purple and crimson.
"If you wanted to bring peace, why did you let so many innocents die?" Ethan quipped as he stepped forward.
"There is value in loss. Everyone must understand how fragile life is, and how if someone stands against progress, they will be cut down," Rider hissed.
"Peace through tyrannical rule? You sound like you come from my Earth." Ethan responded, taking another step forward.
"I know your Earth well. Tabitha told me many of it's tales, right up until it was time to bring you here," Rider said as he pointed the end of the blade toward Ethan.
Ethan looked down at the ring on his finger. He ran his thumb over it's underside as the fog finally began to lift.
"You killed her," he said.
"A necessity, I assure you. I took very little pleasure in it. Now look what we have gained here, a strong leader, and a Traverser. Perhaps you would be more suited as my general?" Rider asked plainly.
"Have you lost your mind?" Ethan snapped.
"Think on it, kid. You have been searching for a purpose for your entire life, and leaning into the grey spaces for answers. I am offering you a real life here. You could have influence, power, meaning," Rider said as
"I know a lot of people who would take your offer, Rider. I have a problem though. While I might struggle with who I am, and why I exist, I still have this pride that nags at me. See, I don't belong here. Even when I feel like I am disconnected at my home, it is still my home. I have a counteroffer," Ethan said.
"Speak," Rider said in a commanding tone.
"I finish what I started in the tent, and rid this plane of the Illgain, no matter who wears the helmet," Ethan said as he launched himself forward, kicking up from one of the rocks to attack the man in the cloak.
Rider did not hesitate, and instead swiped the blade furiously down at Ethan, cutting into his right forearm. Ethan tumbled over and rolled past Rider, but they were now on the same ground. He pushed his shoulder hard into the collarbone of Rider, hoping to force him to drop the blade. Rider crushed the hilt of the sword into Ethan’s back, causing him to cry out in pain.
“Aghhh!” Ethan screamed.
“You didn’t need to die so pointlessly, child.” Rider said as his eyes flickered with rage. The electricity around the sword shone a brighter shade of red, its color engulfed the landscape.
Ethan kicked into Rider’s chest, forcing him backward. He launched forward and tackled him to the ground. The men were lost in battle, a vicious outpouring of cries and wrath. Neither were aware that all around them, the fighting had already ceased. An army had watched as the Illgain’s life was taken. Another army watched a hero that they barely knew wasn’t, in fact, awol.
The two rolled around on the ground, grasping for control of the sword. They punched and pressed into anywhere their hands and feet could land, each crying out in pain. The sword laid on the ground, flickering between every color of the spectrum.
“You have to stop this,” Ethan begged.
“I will have what is mine!” Rider yelled.
Rider scrambled across the ground toward the sword and grabbed it. He spun around to face Ethan.
“Die, and leave this land for me to rule,” Rider exclaimed as he rushed toward his foe.
Ethan spun around as he raised himself from the ground, grasping a rock. He wound up and let it fly, hitting Rider directly in the forehead. He screamed as blood trickled from his head, the pain causing him to release the sword. Ethan dove forward and caught its hilt, the blade still facing upward. Rider collapsed in agony, and fell onto the steel.
Without a single word, Rider turned to sand and disappeared, leaving behind the helmet of the Illgain. Ethan turned around and looked at the dirty helmet that lay before him. Without a thought of power, he pressed his sword into it, causing a wave of electricity to burst out in all directions. The Illgain was gone.