Chapter 40: A Sacrifice For The Sake Of Freedom And Redemption
Xerath intervened in the battle between James and Mindrax without warning, breaking the Titan's code of pride. The Top 8 Titan, Vyrella, appeared, saying, "This isn't a fair move, Xerath."
"I don't care about fairness, Vyrella," Xerath replied. "All I care about is killing the great-grandchild of Philippe Smith."
Vyrella watched from the sidelines as Xerath meddled in the fight. Mindrax remained unconscious, guarded by Vyrella.
"I'll kill you on this battlefield, James Stanford!" Xerath shouted. "You're the son of Lara Smith, daughter of William Smith, also known as Thalos, and grandson of Philippe Smith, the Baron. I'll end you here!"
"I have nothing to do with my great-grandfather's or grandfather's mistakes," James responded. "I'm here to stop them, not join them."
"We can't ensure our safety if Philippe Smith is released from the Grand Soul Gem," Xerath said. "We must stop anyone who gets in our way. This game ends now."
"I won't be stopped, Xerath," James declared. "I'll fight you. I don't care how strong you are. I need to defend myself. I challenge you to a battle!"
"Are you sure you're ready to fight him, James?" Bavery asked. "He's too strong for you right now, and you haven't finished your battle with Mindrax yet."
"Let's do whatever it takes to beat him, James," Zexerav said. "This is do or die. We won't let our efforts go to waste."
"You're right, Zexerav," James replied. "I still have a chance to win this fight as long as you and Draven are with me."
Xerath unleashed his true form, the Ice Walrus Mode. "I'm the Titan with the Ultimate Glacier Crush Burst," he yelled. "I can freeze anything, even light!"
"This is bad, James," Draven said. "He'll slow down your rejuvenating process. We should have rested before fighting him, but it's too late now."
"We're already here, Draven," James replied. "There's no backing down."
Xerath rushed to James, using the Freezing Point to slow him down. James was affected, leaving him vulnerable to Xerath's attack. Xerath executed the Glacier Kick, sending James plummeting into the distance, destroying large rubbles on impact. James suffered severe injuries. Xerath continued his relentless assault, weakening James drastically.
"I can still push to Limit Break and Pyroclast Heat," James said to Heat.
Heat aided James with the Limit Break Mode, and James cast the Pyroclast without considering the risks. Xerath launched his Ultimate Glacier Crush Burst while maintaining the Freezing Point, but James's Limit Break allowed him to dodge the attack using the Super Solar Rush Limit Break. The affected area froze, but James managed to evade the attack.
"We need to keep dodging his attacks, James," Draven said. "His ice can cool down your heat."
"I'll use your Sacred Phoenix Sphere, Draven," James replied.
James utilized the Sacred Phoenix Sphere Limit Break, damaging Xerath. "Not bad, James, but not strong enough," Xerath said, hurt but undeterred.
Xerath continued his assault, using the Absolute Zero Spell to immobilize James's feet and delivering the Crystal Glacier Dance. James was toppled but survived due to Zexerav's High Tolerance Aura.
"You can't maintain the Limit Break much longer, Master," Heat warned. "It's been 25 minutes; you have only 5 minutes left before you run out of energy."
"I need to stay in this mode to counter his Freezing Point, Heat," James replied.
"But you should save your energy to beat him," Heat cautioned.
After 30 minutes, James's energy was depleted. He kneeled down, panting heavily, and returned to his Ian form.
"You're an amazing warrior, mortal," Xerath said. "But I'm sorry; I didn't play fair. The fate of the universe is at stake. This ends here."
"Our efforts will go to waste," Draven said. "He's too strong for us."
"I'm glad I got to fight alongside you, James," Zexerav said.
Xerath targeted Ian with his Ultimate Glacier Crush Burst, but Ian used his remaining energy to cast the 5th Super Solar spell of Heat, the Aldebaran Solar Shield, to protect himself. Ian fainted after casting the spell, exhausted.
"Amazing," Xerath said. "He can still block my ultimate attack at the last ounce of his energy. He's truly the 2nd Master of Titans, like Philippe Smith."
Before Xerath could deliver another attack, a light rushed to block Xerath's Ultimate Glacier Crush Burst. After the blinding light faded, Mindrax stood, having blocked Xerath's attack with her body.
"He has a pure heart, Xerath," Mindrax said, agonizing in pain. "He's not like his grandparents. He's the one chosen to change this universe."
"Why did you choose him over your life, Mindrax?" Xerath asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
"Because I want to be free and redeem my loss through him," Mindrax replied, her voice weakening. "I want to make up for my past mistakes..."
Mindrax's words trailed off as she succumbed to her injuries, her body slowly dissolving into nothingness.
James, still unconscious, lay protected by the Aldebaran Solar Shield. The scene was filled with an eerie silence, punctuated only by Xerath's heavy breathing.
The aftermath of Mindrax's sacrifice hung in the air, leaving Xerath momentarily stunned. The other Titans, including Vyrella, watched in silence, their expressions unreadable.
As the dust settled, James slowly regained consciousness, his eyes fluttering open to find Mindrax gone. The realization of her sacrifice hit him like a ton of bricks, and he felt a mix of emotions: grief, anger, and determination.
With newfound resolve, James stood up, his eyes locked on Xerath. "I'll finish this," he said, his voice firm and resolute.
The stage was set for an intense confrontation between James and Xerath. Would James be able to overcome his grief and defeat Xerath, or would the Titan's power prove too much for him? The outcome hung in the balance, as the fate of the universe remained uncertain.
As James stood up, he gazed at the spot where Mindrax had sacrificed herself. He felt a deep sense of loss and grief, remembering the moments they had shared in the arena.
"Why did you save me, Mindrax?" James whispered, tears welling up in his eyes.
Vyrella, who had been watching from the sidelines, stepped forward. "Mindrax's story is one of tragedy and redemption," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "She was once a proud and powerful Titan, feared by all. But her encounters with mortals changed her."
"Tell me more," James asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Mindrax was once bound to serve the Smiths, just like many of us," Vyrella began. "But she grew disillusioned with their cruelty and ambition. She saw the suffering they caused and began to question her own purpose."
"One mortal in particular touched her heart," Vyrella continued. "A young warrior who showed her kindness and compassion despite being faced with certain death. Mindrax was moved by his bravery and selflessness, and it sparked something within her."
"She began to see the world differently," Vyrella said, her voice cracking. "She realized that there was more to life than just serving the powerful and fighting in the arena. She longed for freedom and redemption."
James's eyes widened as he understood. "You mean... she wanted to make amends for her past mistakes?"
Vyrella nodded. "Yes. Mindrax saw in you, James, a chance to redeem herself. She believed that you had the potential to save not just this world, but the entire universe and its dimensions from the catastrophic consequences of Philippe Smith's release."
"If he escapes the Grand Soul Gem," Vyrella explained, "the fabric of reality will unravel, plunging the multiverse into chaos and destruction. Countless worlds and civilizations will be destroyed, and the very existence of reality will be threatened."
James's determination solidified. "I won't let that happen," he said, his voice firm. "I'll stop Philippe Smith and save the universe."
As Vyrella finished speaking, James felt a lump form in his throat. He remembered Mindrax's words: "Because I want to be free and redeem my loss through him."
Tears streamed down James's face as he realized the depth of Mindrax's sacrifice. He felt a mix of emotions: gratitude, sadness, and anger. He knew he had to honor her sacrifice and fulfill her dream of redemption.
With newfound determination, James faced Xerath. "I'll finish this," he said, his voice firm. "For Mindrax, for the universe, and for the chance at a better future."
The battle between James and Xerath intensified, with James fueled by his emotions and determination. The outcome was far from certain, but one thing was clear: James would fight with every ounce of strength he had to honor Mindrax's sacrifice and save the universe.
As the fight raged on, James's thoughts lingered on Mindrax. He remembered her smile, her words, and her sacrifice. He knew he would carry her memory with him forever, and it would drive him to become a better person.
The emotional weight of Mindrax's sacrifice settled in, and the audience felt the depth of James's loss. The fate of the universe hung in the balance, and James's determination would be put to the ultimate test.
Xerath sneered at James, his eyes blazing with contempt. "You think you're worthy to carry on Mindrax's legacy? You're just a pawn in the Smiths' game, James. A tool for them to use and discard."
James's determination only grew stronger. "I'm not just a pawn," he said, his voice firm. "I'm the one who's going to stop the Smiths and save the universe."
Xerath's expression twisted with hatred. "I'll crush you and prove my superiority over all the Smiths. As a Top 9 Titan, I've earned my place among the strongest, and I won't be defeated by a mere mortal."
Vyrella, the Top 8 Titan, watched the battle unfold with interest. "Xerath, you're still driven by your hatred for the Smiths," she said, her voice neutral. "But don't underestimate James. He's proven himself to be a formidable opponent."
Xerath's gaze flicked to Vyrella, his eyes flashing with anger. "You think he's worthy, Vyrella? He's just a mortal, a fleeting moment of entertainment."
The battle between James and Xerath intensified, with both sides trading blows and neither gaining the upper hand. James's emotions fueled his determination, and he fought with every ounce of strength he had.
But Xerath was relentless, driven by his hatred for the Smiths and his desire for glory. He unleashed a flurry of attacks, each one aimed at James's weak points.
James stumbled back, his breathing heavy, but he refused to give up. He knew that he had to win, not just for himself, but for Mindrax's sacrifice and for the fate of the universe.
The outcome of the battle hung in the balance, with Vyrella watching intently. Would James's determination and Mindrax's sacrifice be enough to tip the scales in his favor, or would Xerath's power and hatred prove too great to overcome?