Kaden Nadire and Rygilya sat in the cells aboard a massive space vessel. It was unlike anything Kaden had ever seen. The walls and pillars were a swirl of black and gold. Dots also decorated the walls. On the black surface the dots seemed like suns that looked millions of light years away as they floated about within. They became black dots when they​ passed through the golden material.

It had been some time since Rygilya and Kaden fought and they were starting to regain some life force, their wounds were slowly healing.

Kaden felt his body itching with anticipation. All this waiting was making the curly haired young Knight anxious.

The two young men wouldn't be allowed any more time to rest as one of the bigger creatures came lumbering over to Rygilya's cell. It was large, with midnight black armor that matched it's scaly skin. On it's back was a vicious-looking black sword. It resembled a humaniod triceratops with two stars shining in it's armor.

A champion. Kaden knew about the Darkness. They were documented in history books. They are the Darkness best warriors. He also knew that even if he and Rygilya could transform they wouldn't escape here alive. There were over thirty of those things aboard the ship.

Just a little more time. Kaden was referring to his dark dragon king armor.

The creature punched in some numbers on a holographic keypad and both their cell doors dematerialized.

"Follow." The large creature grumbled before turning away and starting down the hall.

The two exchanged looks. Kaden wasn't willing to risk attacking​ and he knew Rygilya wouldn't either. Even if they were somehow able to defeat the creature, they were still on enemy grounds.

The brown skinned Knight and Rygilya did as they were told, following​ behind the being as it lead them down a long corridor. The knight noticed the other cells that were empty.

They finally exited the huge cell block and entered something that resembled an elevator. The creature waited for them to step onto the platform before stepping on in front of them. He then punched in numbers on a keypad and the platform moved them upwards.

As they traveled, Kaden noticed the creature watching them with what seemed to be a mix of fascination and regret.

"What?" Rygilya snapped, probably on edge from suspense.

Kaden didn't blame him. He was just as anxious as his rival. The Knight fully expect the creature to smack Rygilya or something but to his surprise, the Champion spoke.

"You two would have reached a level of strength that could topple most Primordials with time and proper training." The creature praised. "It's a shame you will die before you've had time to blossom. I would have enjoyed battling you. Even if death was the outcome."

Rygilya's yellow eyes narrowed. "I'm not dying here."

The black beast took both young men by surprise when it laughed like it had just understood a punch line to a joke. It then showed it's jagged teeth in a grin that sent shivers down Kaden's spin.

"A strong will you have human." As it regained it's composer, Kaden noticed a mad gleam in his eyes. "As expected of one who has tamed the darkness. I wholeheartedly look forward to seeing your will put into action."

Just then the platform stopped and the doors split open behind them.

A chill went down his spin.

Kaden turned and his heart skipped a beat. The being sitting on a throne froze Kaden with fear.

He forgot how to breathe. The massive black creature had the head of a dragon with frills and a humaniod body. His eyes seemed to hold purple and blue nebula clouds that seemed to bore into Kaden's soul. The creature's midnight black skin had what looked to be nebulas and far away suns. It's aura was almost crushing.

Breathe! Kaden thought, fighting to get air into his lungs.

He took a gulp of air just before the triceratops creature pushed both him and Rygilya into the gargantuan throne chamber. Kaden willed his legs to take him forward as the giant creature held his gaze.

Kaden stopped in the center of the throne room, Rygilya next to him. A lump formed in his throat when the creature spoke in a voice that echoed.

"So the seed of Elyiah lives." It said. "You resemble your father, mortal."

"Y-you knew him?" Kaden stammered out surprised.

The large creature gestured to the huge empty throne next to him. "He along with his comrade killed my equal. He knew my master well. I can feel my lord inside you. You've done well to hide thus far."

Even with Darqus, Kaden knew he didn't hold a candle to this thing. Even one of the seven swords of justice--the strongest holy Knights in all of lore--would be nothing against this dragon like being. He tried to fathom the kind of power his father weilded and failed.

"I wished to see the face of the creature whom has held my master prisoner." The monster continued. "My champion, bring our master home."

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of Kaden's neck stood on end just as Rygilya moved from beside him, leaving a trail of green flames in his wake.

Kaden's heart began to pound in his chest as he instinctively spun and jumping backwards. He saw Rygilya had performed a partial transformation and attacked the Champion. A green scale plated fist covered in green flames exploded against the creature's face.

Kaden remembered wist he'd learned about Champions. Panic griped him as he felt the eyes of what he knew was a Primordial on the back of his head.

He remembered the pact he made with Darqus. Normally Kaden would do his best to never break a promise but decided that he couldn't let that happen. If the dark god controlled Kaden's body he would wreck unimaginable havoc.

The Knight tapped into Darqus's power and was partly covered in his dark dragon king armor. Momentarily ignoring the Primordial, Kaden seemingly vanished as he moved.

He became visible half a second later above the Champion whom was knocked into the air by a second explosive strike from Rygilya.

Black lightning crackling to life around his black swords as he brought it downwards. The black triceratops looking creature quickly recovered as it conjoured a large black sword to block. The blades clashed with an explosion and the Champion was sent crashing into the floor.

Kaden's helmet shattered and he coughed up blood, wincing in pain as he descended. It felt like his right side would explode any moment.

With his life force not completely regenerated he would feel the toll of using the dark god's power a lot sooner.

Kaden landed next to Rygilya and the two warriors leapt at the Primordial. Rygilya roared as his corrosive flames ignited all around him. Kaden summoned a black sword to his free hand, black lightning surrounding both his weapons.

The Primordial merely swatted them out of the air with a massive hand.

"Damn." Kaden said before coughing up more blood. The right side of his armor crumbled in chunks.

The young man felt sweat beading down his forehead.

Laughter from behind them took Kaden by surprise as they rose.

"I am thrilled to see your wills, tamers of darkness!" The Champion bellowed. "Let us see if your will can grant you your freedom!"

The creature underwent a transformation that changed it's armor slightly. Now it's face was more resembling of a dragon, and its sword emmited a heavy aura. Spikes now decorated it's armor.

Kaden's throat felt dry. The Champion had been out of their league before. Now the little chance he and Rygilya held just died along with Kaden's hope.

"Master!" The Champion bellowed to the Primordial on it's throne. "Witnness the extent of their will and watch me extinguish it!"

"Very well my Champion." The Primordial responded. "They are your prey."

"Excellent my lord!" The Champion exclaimed. "Are you prepared warriors of Lore?!"

Kaden swear he could hear his heart pounding away in his chest when he saw Rygilya's​ transformation fade away in green ambers and he dropped to his knees. "Auuugggggh!" He shouted in pain before coughing up a bit of blood.

"It seems you can't hold our master's power very long." The Primordial spoke behind them. "Still, it is impressive another human can contain even a fraction of lord Darqus's power. You will be allowed to survive as a test specimen."

"Like hell!" Rygilya roared as his temper flared from his pride and defiance. "I'd rather die!"

A black spear made of lightning formed in his hand.

He took off as streak of lightning, appearing upon the beast near instantaneous​ly.

The creature's arm moved in a blur as it caught the Darkness Tamer's spear, sparks crackling to life when the lighting touched his palm.

Kaden took action, his heart pounding so fast he thought he could hear the blood being pumped out through his veins. He dashed as fast as he could but could only watch as the beast punched Rygilya in the face. Blood gushed from his nose as he was sent flying at Kaden from the impact. The force of the punch created a shockwave.

Kaden barely had time to evade the incoming Rygilya and the maneuver earned his ribcage a visit from the reptilian creature's broad sword.

The attack would've split Kaden in half if not for Darqus' power.

The creature​ seemed to roar with glee as he sent Kaden tumbling along the ground until he collided with a Rygilya whom was just getting to his feet.

"Fuck!" Rygilya said when the two saw a small barrage of black lasers closing in fast. His olive skin beaded with sweat.

Lightning. A voice Kaden didn't recognize whispered in his head.

Kaden's​ body reacted, lightning crackling to life around him as his lightning cloak activated but this time the lightning around his body was black. He felt an incredible amount of energy within himself.

He roared as he deflected every laser beam that came at him and Rygilya.

Kaden cried out in pain as blood escaped his lips.

It felt as though he'd been stabbed through the stomach but when he looked down he saw that he was unscathed.

Suddenly the hairs on the back of Kaden's neck stood on ends and his instincts took over his body. He spun to narrowly evade a jab from the Champion's black sword, the blade taring through his short cape.

The Knight leapt in the air as he spun then landed a swift kick to the creature's face. Kaden expect the creature to at least be taken off it's feet but the attack only succeeded​ in making the Champion stumble.

The beast laughed with joy as it regained it's footing. Kaden was behind the creature within seconds, his sword making a whistling sound as it sliced through the air. The black blade hit the beast in the back of it's head and shattered upon impact, leaving the Master Knight surprised and off gaurd.

The Darkness Champion tried to used its tail to grab Kaden but he managed to get to a safe distance.

Using lightning cloak in this form gives me a big speed advantage. Kaden thought. But it hurts like hell.

The Champion moved, lunging with it's sword. It would appear as black blur but with lightning cloak's stacking, Kaden could see the Champion clearly.

It charged with a mad glee.

Kaden readied himself. He knew mindlessly trying to pound away would be useless.

The creature swung his sword and Kaden ducked.

He willed mana to concentrate black lightning around his arm. He winced at the intense pain but didn't falter though it felt as though multiple blades had been stabbed the limb.

Still he continued with his attack with a yell of determination, a small blade made of black lightning cracked to life in his hand. He used it to stab straight through the dark beast's breastplate and chest.

The large creature loomed over Kaden, it's body frozen in shock from a sword made of lightning stuck through it's chest. The monster dropped it's sword as it trembled. What seemed bright purple blood with soft hue began to gush from it's mouth a second before it's jagged teeth showed themselves in a grin.

Kaden instincts kicked in again and he started to move back but felt an intense pain in his chest and legs, freezing him in place.

He felt himself being lifted up, the ship's gold and black interior blurring together around him.

Then he heard wind in his ears before intense pain exploded throughout​ his body. The impact of the creature slamming him into the ship's surface created a loud crash and a crater.

Blood exploded from his mouth as he momentarily lost his sight.

His ears rang for a bit while he gasp for air.

When his senses came back he could hear and see the black creature laughing with joy.

"Die with your honor intact, human!" The lumbering beast roared as it raised it's large arms to attack.

Kaden saw Rygilya slam a green flaming fist into the dark beast's face. His upper body covered with dark green and black dragon scales.

A green explosion ignited upon impact and the monster was sent tumbling along the ground. Rygilya instantly fell to his knees. Blood spurted from his mouth before he shouted in agony. The dark green and black scales becoming ambers before fading away.

"Dammit!" Rygilya yelled in rage. Kaden could feel his frustration at his uselessness​. Any more and Rygilya would combust.

While he did have the power to knock the creature around and be of assistance, he just didn't have the life force to maintain the transformation. Kaden wasn't​ surprised he could still move though. Rygilya was his rival for a reason.

He was even more talented than Kaden. It was why him becoming a Darkness Tamer and having his power enhanced by the darkness in his heart made it exhilarating for Kaden every time his former best friend tried to kill him.

Kaden wouldn't die here. Not until he settled things with Rygilya.

The young Knight hatched a plan.

He picked up Rygilya, who started to protest but quickly shut up when Kaden dodged a barrage of lasers, dragging the Darkness Tamer along.

Kaden charged at the Champion who tried to attack the two young​ men but the Knight danced around the black sword.

He raced to the elevator doors with Rygilya still in tow. He used the sharp edge of his tail to slice a whole through the doors. He saw that the elevator they road up here earlier was now gone, leaving a drop some was down. Without any hesitation, Kaden jumped down just as a barrage of laser projectiles sailed overhead and dented where they had been standing just a second ago.

The two warriors plummeted down the elevator shaft until Kaden dug the claws of his gauntlet into the wall. The two slowed before finally coming to a stop.

"Bold move humans!" Roared the Champion from above. The armored beast was falling down after them. "What do you plan to do now?!"

"Rygilya!" Kaden started.

"I know!" The Darkness Tamer said in turn.

Spears made of black lightning formed beside them and Rygilya thrusted out his arm in the opposite direction. "Lightning spear barrage!" He shouted and the spears crashed into the wall opposite of them and exploded.

Kaden leapt through the hole Rygilya made just as the Champion sailed passed.

"We are so screwed." Kaden said as the two decended.

Darkness soldiers stared up from the large portions of food in front of them and Kaden's stomach tied itself into knots.

The beasts​ looked stunned for just a bit before letting out blood churning roars. A handful of what Kaden knew where Foot soldiers, leapt at them.

They were slow compared to the Champion from before. Kaden easily evaded them with the aid of his armor and his lightning cloak. He even leapt off of one of their heads to avoid a Champion that tried to cut Rygilya and himself in half.

The two landed by an opened door and sprinted down a hall. They rounded a corner and ran into a group of smaller Darkness.

Kaden easily dispatched them using his speed. Being on the receiving end of the Champion's heavy attack added to his attack power some. However, it wouldn't be enough to face off against another Champion so Kaden would completely avoid the creature entirely.

Only a minute went by and a siren was echoing throughout the ship. The two warriors finally came to a stop when they found a part of the ship that looked to have escape pods.

Kaden dropped to the ground when pain exploded through his body. His lightning cloak disappeared and he coughed up blood. More of his armor broke off, leaving only his upper side covered. He could feel a significant drop in life force.

"Hell yeah!" Rygilya exclaimed walking over to one of the pods he tried to open it but wouldn't budge.

"Fuck!" He said now in frustration. "You've got to be kidding me!"

Unless the Darkness Tamer broke the latch, the thing would stay sealed shut. Breaking the latch would make the tiny craft useless.

"Dammit!" Rygilya roared as he slammed his fist into the wall. His frustration and temper getting the better of him "Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!" He punched into the wall with each swear.

Kaden looked out the massive window. The blackness of space waited just outside the vessel. Lore could be seen some ways away. It looked close but in reality was thousands of miles off. The stars shone beautifully in the back drop.

He closed hid eyes and let his mind wondered. He remembered how Rygilya's earlier attack blew a hole through the wall.

The entire ship isn't so durable. The Knight opened his eyes as an idea formed.

"How much do you have left in the tank?" Kaden's asked his rival.

Rygilya snapped his attention to Kaden. "Enough to transform one last time." He then peered at Kaden. "Why?"

The Knight grinned.

Rygilya gave a confused look before bursting out in laughter. "I always knew you were nuts, Kaden, but now I know you're a madman!"

"Says the one who crossed swords with the Four Nations." Kaden responded. "You game?"

"Better than being a lab rat."

A swarm of Darkness flooded the large room, all roaring and hollering for human blood.

They began to close in and the two humans got into their stances.

"They are my prey!" Boomed the familiar voice of the Champion from earlier.

He was behind the black mob, the Darkness beasts turning their heads to see who had spoken.

"Master D'leous has said that I may claim them as prizes." It continued. "Will you heed?"

Reluctantly, the crowd yielded and made way for the three of them to do battle.

"Don't screw this up, trash." Rygilya told Kaden.

"Don't fall behind, second place." The Knight jabbed back.

The two warriors charged just as the Champion did the same.

Kaden roared and his black lightning cloak activated. He was in front of the creature a second later, his family's black sword in hand.

The Champion swiped at Kaden, moving it's large arms in a black blur but the Knight easily dodged, ending up above.

Rygilya was in front of the beast a second after, his Corrosive Dragon scales covering his upper half.

The two warriors yelled out their battle cries. Black lightning surrounded Kaden's blade and Rygilya's fist surged with both green flames as well as black lightning.

The two launched their attacks shouting, "Grand twin Lightning Pillar!"

Their attacks collided with their target and two massive pillars of black lightning tore vertically through the ship.