Chapter 18: Darkness's Grasp (C)

As the J-Wing slowly descended towards the planet below, Joshua stared out at the building. Fire and smoke circled around it, before Joshua got angry and leapt towards the ground. Adis, Spaz and Edward watched as he charged forward, slicing through many of the soldiers of darkness that got in his way. He smashed through the debris, covering the doorway, before he found a large metallic door closed behind him.

"It seems your determination to find the truth is impecible...but you don't realise what you've done, have you? This libaray stores the power I need to begin my revival. You thought this place was one of knowledge? Fool. For eons, I waited here, gathering information from those foolish enough to come here, learning all I needed to know. With you here, I can break the seal holding me back...but I'd like to reward you..."

Joshua stepped back up against the door, away from the voice.

"To become my servant is the greatest thing for anyone. You will kneel before me and submit your will to me. Resistance is useless. You cannot escape. And now...Witness my rebirth!"

A large crystal suddenly emerged in the libaray. Bolts of dark energy shot into it, causing it to glow brightly as the power inside increased. Seeing no other option, he hurled himself into the crystal, making it fall to the ground and shatter. The energy flew into the air, spinning wildly before it all collided into Joshua's body. He was thrown backwards into the air, before landing on the ground with a thud.

"Argh...Pe..rsistant...Fool...I'm not...done yet! I shall control you if I cannot have a physical body! Yah!"

Purple bolts of lightning surrounded Joshua, making him shake violently, before he drew his sword.

"...Ngh...I...I'm not...letting you!"

"You can't stop...me. I've already begun to take control...watch..."

Joshua's body suddenly floated into the air, before being thrown to the ground with terrific force. He landed heavily on the marble floor, coughing up a small amount of blood. His eyes shone purple, before the energy left him and began to fuse with the blood.

"Gah...I shall be reborn!"

The pool of blood vanished, before a large explosion of darkness consumed the ground in front of Joshua. A shadow emerged from the dust, and laughed. The figure wore a long cape, black hair and pale skin. His eyes flashed red and his fangs were long and covered with blood. His eyes adjusted to his surroundings, before looking down at Joshua with a wicked smile.

>You don't give up do you? Very well. If you seek to resist me, I'll destroy you myself. You will end here. Light...Darkness and all other living things will fall around you as you perish. With your energy, I can be completly restored...now. Come. Show me what you can do!<

Joshua drew his second sword and rushed at the vampire. A large bookshelf began to collapse, threatening to collapse on them both. Joshua thrust a hand into the air and pushed it back with the force, leaving him defensless. He was rammed into with great speed, a cloud of smoke loomed around him, before jagged spikes stabbed into Joshua's body. A strange toxin made it's way through his veins. Seeing the vampire reform, Joshua leapt into the air and threw a random explosive at his foe. The blast threw him back, but there was nothing but a large hole in the marble floor.

"Pathetic. Watch...THIS!"

A huge vortex of energy suddenly opened out of nowhere, sucking them both in. Inside was complete darkness. The vampire used this opportunity to strike with his talons and fangs. Blood gushed freely from his wounds, before the sub-dimension vanished, leaving Joshua on his knees, while the vampire stood above him, gloating.

"I...I've got no...other option...Darkness! Awaken!"

Joshua's body vanished, before it re-appeared above the vampire, dark energy flowing into his body, his wounds stopped bleeding, and his face was covered with shadow. Two demonic wings sprouted out from his back, before the changes were complete. He had used the darkness to save himself. At least he could fight this monster on his own terms. Quicker than thought, he raced towards his foe, a purple trail of energy following him until he slashed with both his swords. A large gaping hole could be seen, the body of his foe had been cut clean in two. He looked at Joshua with anger.

"Not...going to die...yet! Witness...My act of destruction! Absorbing the life of all on this planet that is not of darkness, I will be restored. My wounds can easily be healed. Now, energy! COME TO ME!"

The ground seemed to shake, before it split open, all living things fell into the chasms around the planet into the abyss. There, thier bodies were turned into energy, which in turn pulsed straight into the Dark One's body. His eyes flashed red, as he grew larger. The libaray simply collapsed, before Joshua was looking up at his foe. He was at least twenty meters tall.

"Ah...My power swells within me...I have consumed so many of your former friends and their homes!! You cannot hope to stop me!"

The Dark One grabbed Joshua in his hand, before hurling him into the depths of space....

"Enjoy your trip to oblivion."