THE FINAL RESONANCE

With Lira and Ariyanna slumped against the wall recovering, I stayed close as their unofficial bodyguard. At least that’s what I told myself but the truth is….I froze. My chest tightened. My legs wouldn’t move. And it wasn’t as simple as just being afraid, at least that would be understandable.

This was an unrelenting devil on my shoulder whispering to me that we were going to die. Heroes die, that’s the way this always goes. I should know, I’ve buried a lot of them. I clenched my teeth, the sword in my hand getting heavier and heavier until it fell on the ground.

CLANG!

The sound of it reverberated in my brain until I couldn’t even hear the chaos of the battle then…

***

White.

“Ash!!”

I turned to see CIX, Callen and Ryder standing. I was back in the resonance space.

“Guys!!” I exclaimed like a happy child. “I knew it. You were just waiting for a dramatic entrance. Let’s do this.”

“Ash….”

“I was thinking, I’d start with CIX’s hammer, then Ryder and we could finish with Callen. What do you think?”

“You need to listen welp,” CIX  said, his voice tense. “Resonance is waning."

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“We will help you fight,” Callen said. “But in doing so, you may never use resonance again. "

“No. There must be some other way to do this. We can…we can find another way.”

"There is none," Ryder said calmly. "Resonance works by channeling the residual magna in our weapons and with this last attack, we will fuse our Magna. And with that, we will cease to exist."

I didn't say anything but now I could hear that nagging voice on my shoulder loudly. It was over.

“I know what you’re feeling, Ash, but it’s okay, you are going to be okay…”

“Just shut up, Callen,” I snapped. “You think I care about that. This is not about me being okay. My friends are dying out there and you’re the only ones that can help them. And now you’re saying that you won’t.”

“Didn’t you listen boy,” CIX said, louder. “We will help you.”

“And what about Arisu? Who will help with that?”

“You will,” Ryder said simply. “You are ready…”

“That’s bullshit Ryder and you know it. I’ve been useless out there. Without the others, I'd have been dead already. You are the heroes we need and not me. Not me.”

“Ash,” Callen said smiling. “I know you’re dealing with intense emotions right now. But trust me when I say that you can do this. You are strong. Far stronger than us.”

“Callen speaks the truth,” CIX clenched his teeth. “When I first met you, you were weak, lacking in power and resolve. I thought you not worthy to wield my power but since then I have had the honor of watching you become stronger. And I can confidently say that you’re a great warrior indeed, barring me of course.”

Ryder moved in front. “Remember, Ash a weapon is just that. Without a capable wielder, it is meaningless. Never stop believing what you bring to each fight: your intellect, your skills, and spirit. That is what will aid in the coming battles.”

“You see Ash,” Callen smiled warmly. “I’m not the only one who thinks you’re amazing. It does not matter that you were not summoned; anyone can be a hero. You are Ash Rook, a grave digger, a friend, a student and a hero. It may not have started like it but this is your story now. Ours has reached its final chapter but yours is only beginning and only you can decide how it ends."

Sheesh, man. So annoying? How could I say no after speeches like that?

“Okay. But if we do this, how’s it going to work?”

“Simple.  We will anchor our runes, giving you access to our Magna for a brief time. And Callen will guide you until the end."

Those last words from Ryder were still echoing in my head as the white room disintegrated around me and the sound came rushing back in my ears.

****

“Hey!! Ash!!”

I woke up, opened my eyes to the voice of Lira shouting at me.

“Are you okay,” she asked.

“Um.. I’m fine.”

“What’s the plan?” Lira asked.

I turned staring down Shekha, then Arisu. “To fight.”

I bent and grabbed the sword, holding it so tight, my fingers hurt like crazy.

For the longest time, I had only my job, my title; the scrap picker, gravedigger and nothing else. And I was fulfilled with that. then I got resonance, became a glitch and thought of it as an extension of what I had.

All these voices in my head, making me out to be a hero. I don’t know, maybe they are right. But it doesn’t matter what I am because this was my home and i'd be damned if some wannabe god was going to take it from me.

I took a slow breath, observing the battleground.

Shekha was a streak of lightning, hammering at Rhennmar and Velma from two angles at once. Velma’s wind had become thin and ragged, barely enough to cause her damage. Rhennmar, still on one knee, tried to summon lightning again but her hands shook, getting a backlash and electrocuting herself.

Across from them, Arisu was smiling as he danced through Keiji, Thomlin and Sid’s attacks. His teleportation was causing major problems for them. But it wasn't just random, he was separating both groups from each other.

But not for much longer.

“Okay, Ash, choose your target,” Callen’s voice was less calm than I thought.

I planted my feet, locking eyes on Shekha.

“Shekha is one of the best with a sword,” Callen murmured. “But her control of lightning, fire and air makes her a complete fighter with few weaknesses.”

“Yeah, no pressure.”

She moved first, making a vertical slash so clean it split the air itself. I met head-on, our blades shrieking as they slid against each other, but her strength was breaking my stance.

“Good. But don’t let her set the pace….go on the offense.”

I slid under, letting her sword fall under the momentum, then turned and slashed back. She blocked with her backhand then thrusted and I sidestepped, avoiding. I pressed forward, swinging low, then high, then pivoting into a spinning back cut.

She countered every strike, her sword a blur of perfect geometry. Every movement was exact like she’d already predicted what I was going to do.

I feinted right, dragged my blade on the floor, then lunged left. Shekha adjusted — but too late. The sudden change caught her guard just an inch too high. My blade bit her shoulder but she didn’t flinch.

Instead, she came at me faster.

CLANG!

CLANG!

Her counterstrikes came faster, heavier. I barely kept pace, sliding across the floor. My arms screamed and panic was slowly creeping in.

Why did I think I could do this?

“You’re doing well,” Callen said. “Break her rhythm!”

Spinning the hilt in my hand, I switched to a reverse grip, dragging the sword in wide arcs. She stepped back. In that half second, I lunged placing both hands on the hilt, thrusting at her face. She staggered but still swung a horizontal cut. I ducked under it, sliding on my knees then hurled the sword over my shoulder. It spun end-over-end, forcing her to deflect.

For one miraculous second, I had the advantage. I caught the sword mid-spin and slammed it down with everything I had straight for her neck, going for a kill swing.

The world blurred as she palm-struck me in the chest. I flew backwards, lungs emptying, panic drowning me again —
Then a gust of wind braced me, stopping me cold.

“Don’t worry. I got you.” Velma said behind me.

To her left, Rhennmar stepped in, her hair crackling with lightning. On my right, Kryxx appeared as calm as possible, his staff dripping blood from his arm.

“Well done,” he said like I’d passed some test.

“We must make this attack count.” Velma grinned then glanced at Kryxx’s arm. “Will you be okay?”

“Do not worry. If I use less straining attacks, I should be fine.”

Rhennmar’s eyes burned, lightning racing down her body. She looked at Velma and smiled.

“Together?”

Velma nodded then her eyes flicked to me.

“What about you? You ready?”

I wasn’t. My knees still hurt from that knee slide earlier. My ribs still screamed. But standing next to them —how could I say no?