While Harry's trapped in the maze Joshua's worst fears come true. From beyond the horizon a butler floats silently above the strands. Despite potential hosts being so close, the strands don't react. At least not at first.
Step.
As he starts to approach the strands start to violently quiver and wave, an aura of warm excitement shooting out from them.
Step.
The strands gather, forming a massive pillar around Thomas.
Step.
Joshua, without thinking immediately tries to fly up, unfortunately the damage to his body has left his thoughts unstable. Despite trying his best to focus, the most he can do is manipulate the ground around him. Panicking, he immediately runs to the wall and manages to unsteadily fly to the top. Without hesitation he manipulates as much of the wall, attempting to launch a small portion of it to the top towards the butler.
Failure.
Instead his arms sink into the wall, the area around him turning into a collection of random shapes from spheres to cubes to spikes. Looking back he can see the people of Lindbourough audibly panicking seeing the same monster that came when the strands first hit. Some simply scream, some break into tears, some start to pray, and some hold what's left of their family close. At this moment the town has been unified by an overwhelming fear of upcoming death.
Step.
Despite taking small steps Thomas grows closer by meters, the strands now having come together to form half a giant arch directly above the flames. By now several shifters have gathered atop the wall. Even with the crushing fear threatening to take over their mind they have a duty to fulfill. Looking at Joshua, they know full well what they have to do.
No hesitation!
Together they stick their hands in the flames in front of them, letting their minds run almost rampant with the only thought remaining in their pain filled being to burn the enemy to ashes. Instantly the flames roar with a blazing passion! Parts of it take on the shape of burning hands, some of it becomes violent streams of spreading spikes, and a massive portion starts to spread in seemingly random directions, the only common thing among the rampant flames being the all consuming rush towards the strands and Thomas.
Stop?
Despite the torrent of maddened flames consuming every last strand Thomas stops and smiles. At that moment, Joshua notices it. Harold isn't here! Immediately looking towards the gathered towns folk, he sees Harold standing in front of them greatsword in hand. Without thinking he roughly condenses air behind him and shoots himself at Harold, arriving behind near instantly. Harold, in response, simply stares. Unable to control his powers and weakened Joshua can only think how to deal with his enemy.
He promised he would be uninvolved, yet here he is. Does that mean he plans to do nothing? No, he wouldn't be here if there were no plans beyond the previous distraction. Is this man immortal like the butler? If so, how can I get rid of him. Considering his knightly appearance and previous appearance he should have some honor. Maybe I can take advantage of this? I don't think I'll survive if we fight. Shit shit shit, okay…It's time to fulfill my promise as a high tier shifter! If I die, so be it, but I will win no matter what.
"I challenge you to a duel!"
Harold raises a brow looking at Joshua's damaged body.
"I'm weakened so I'd like to add a condition. If I can get even a single hit on you, you and anyone you work with or for will not harm the people here."
Harold takes a moment to think, looking at Joshua's determination filled eyes. A knight should not accept all challenges, let alone against such a weak foe but something about Joshua's passion convinces him.
"Okay, I will only defend. Damage me once, no matter how small and we will retreat for three days."
"Deal!"
Before Harold can signal the start of the fight Joshua kick off the scorched remains of his shoes and digs his feet into the ground. Instantly, he rushes forward, the shifting ground pushing him along. The exact second Joshua is just a foot away from Harold spikes explode out from the ground in front of Joshua, threatening to consume Harold!
Step.
Moving back by a single step Harold raises his goliath of a sword and blocks with the flat end, sidestepping immediately after and kicks out, causing the mass of jagged rocks to explode towards Joshua. Seeing this Joshua sinks deeper into the ground, dodging the barrage of jagged fragments rushing at him, following by sinking the ground around Harold's feet! Harold looks to Joshua, a hint of respect appearing in his eyes as he leaps sideways. Ignoring this Joshua condenses as much air as he can at his side and explodes it towards harold.
Block.
Again he shields himself with his greatsword, Joshua, seeing the same action rushes towards the blade. Unfortunately, despite his hands touching it his energy refuses to flow through and manipulate it. Despite his plan failing Joshua doesn't give up, instead shifting to Harolds left while still semi-submerged into the ground and sends two curved, almost blade like spikes towards his sides and back.
Bang!
Unfortunately Harold manages to block, letting go of his greatsword for a split moment to twist his body, slamming his gauntletted hands onto the sides of the stone spike tips, immediately fracturing them while swinging his hips to dodge the spike aiming towards his back. Joshua smiles, immediately pointing his lips towards Harold's forehead.
"Bang."
Tilt!
As if seeing the air bullet he perfectly dodges it just by tilting. As the fight continues despair starts to overtake Joshua. No matter where he send out spikes or burst of air Harold always manages to shield himself or dodge. Thinking again and again he starts to become mentally worn out. Maybe if he went rampant he would be able to land a blow but the people behind him would become collateral damage. In the end he only has one option.
"EVERYBODY RUN, RUN OR DIE!"
For a moment, the crowd goes still, the only ones to immediately run being Crim, Will, and Roland. After a few seconds the crowd takes off, many leaving a prayer in respect to their hero, knowing full well what he's about to do. The second he sees the people far enough be breaks the one rule all shifters follow.
He lets his thoughts go completely adrift.
Instantly he remembers the pain of the flames as he scorched the strands. It takes a few seconds, calm before the storm but instantly the area around Joshua starts to go wild. The ground trembles and quakes as spikes explode out and sink back in, the air twisting and twirling as embers gush out from his burnt skin. There's no screaming, there's no violence in his actions, just pure unbridled instinct.
Seeing the ground around him become impossible to protect against Harold immediately leaps into the air and floats. In response, the earth below him explodes upwards, a large part of the town sent violently into the air as shards and crags of stone and homes rush wildly without direction. Before Harold can even respond, a rampaging torrent of air rushes towards the sky, sending the rubble flying even harder, yet Joshua still isn't done.
Flames of madness.
Remembering the flames the air around Joshua starts to burn, splitting into various copies of him screaming soundlessly in pain before exploding into violent streams in every direction. Within mere seconds a quarter of the town is reduced to scorched rubble as the flames dancing in the sky explode again and again.
Nowhere to avoid.
Instantly Harold is hit by rubble and flames, his armor dented and his skin melting and healing as the flames take hold of the sky. Still, the terror isn't over, not until Joshua is put down. Despite the chaos around him he's perfectly still, lost in the memories of the sacrifices he must make. Suddenly, Joshua starts to speak.
"Rule one of being a shifter, we are beacons of disciple, as such we must never let our thoughts wander or tragedy will fall.
Joshua, falls onto his knees.
"Rule two of being a shifter, we are harbingers of destruction, but that destruction may only be guided towards good."
Houses burn and streets disappear as the earth continues to quake and burn, taking on shapes of every kind as chaos takes control from Joshua's feet.
"Rule three of being a shifter, we are servants of the people, neither above or below. We protect, and we provide."
The flames begin to consume Joshua, his life fading with every ember that comes out from ever scorching body.
"Rule four of being a shifter, we are bound by legacy's creed. Should we break it, death is the only punishment fit."
In that moment, Joshua's eyes start to dull as his body goes limp. In his final moments, seeing Harold scorched and bleeding, knowing he fulfilled his duty, even if it only landed a few days safety, he feels an overwhelming pride. The pain fades and his thoughts dull, darkness and cold growing closer with every second. He did his families honor proud.
A satisfied smile blooms as the flames of life dim, shining bright in the caged night.
Just as the last flicker of life leaves Joshua, he sees Harold speak.
"To sacrifice even your life…I Harold Von Leonios declare you a warrior worth remembering. Tell me, what is your name?
"My…m-my na-ame is, is Joshua, proud member of the Ameliece family. Hailed from, the great land of Abbey."
A final flicker and final ember as he fades into the abyss, even so the flames left over burn brighter and warmer than even the greatest light.