Chapter 234   - Goodbye Friend

The group all took a step back as Gary's face had come into view. They could see his gauntlet shining brightly and felt pressure and heat coming off it.

"Don't be afraid, I thought we were all friends?" Gary said with a sinister smile.

"What are you doing here!" Jack Shouted.

This was a first for Jack, Although Jack and Gary didn't get along with each other in their travels. Jack never saw Gary as a bad person and he hated seeing Gary being controlled by the shadow.

"Oh, didn't Ark tell you," Gary replied, "I'm here to make sure my message was delivered first hand, I thought It would be more effective if I did it in person."

Gary then started to slowly walk over to the group and down from the temple stairs.

"Ray, I'm here to ask you nicely, give up on Avrion, why don't you go live your days in a nice peaceful village somewhere. I'm asking you this favour as a friend."

For a second Ray felt like the emotion in Gary's eyes were genuine when he was saying this.

"I can't Gary, the shadow has taken too much away from me already and that includes you."

"It is a shame to hear you say that but an expected answer."

"What about your sister Gary!" Jack said, "What would she think if she saw you go over to the shadow, didn't you and she become knights to help fight against it."

"But it wasn't the shadow that had taken my sister, it was humans. They killed her, if I get rid of the whole of Roland then there is no need for me to search who had killed my sister."

"I see now you have gone mad, maybe Ray thinks he can still bring you back but you have already been consumed." Jack then drew out his great sword from his back leapt over to Gary's side.

Jack swung with all his force at Gary not holding back any power but Gary stood there unafraid. He made a fist with his gauntlet and knocked the giant great sword to the side, then quickly held Jack by the throat.

"Look how weak you are now." Gary said, "And to think I use to think you were so much greater than me."

The grip around Jack's throat was getting tighter, he was struggling to breathe. The power difference between the two was immense. Before there was no way Gary would have been able to do something like this.

"Let him go, Gary," Ray said, "I mean it!" Ray clenched his fist hard but he was struggling to gage Gary's power. Ray was actually afraid that if he acted out, he might not make it out of this one.

"Fine" Gary said as he chucked Jack to the ground with extreme force.

Jack's body had landed off to the side, the throw was so hard that it had caused a serious blow to Jack's head and blood was leaking out. Ark quickly rushed over to Jack's side.

"What are you doing Gary, you could have killed him!" Ark cried.

"The stupid dog will live, His body is strong. Ray, I ask you one more time, if not my master who is standing behind me will have to act. With the two of us, we could kill you all in an instant."

"Who is your master!" Lenny shouted.

Just then a familiar man stepped out from behind. It was Morfran who was in his full suite of black armour which also bore the symbol of an Eye and wings on his chest piece.

Ray didn't think much about it before, but perhaps even the piece of armour that Morfran was wearing was from the same set of equipment as the Hammer and Sword.

"We the shadow's guard have been given a mission to get rid of you, but our new colleague here has asked us to spare you, it would be wise to listen to him."

Although Ray could lie and play along then later when he was stronger change his mind, that wasn't Ray's style.

"I won't be changing my mind," Ray said.

"Well looks like its time for you to prove your loyalty to the shadow Gary, kill your old friends now."

Gary then went on one knee in front of Morfran.

"Sir, even though I am new please give me more time, I believe I can convince them. Just leave this task to me, if I cannot then I will deal with them."

Morfran looked into Gary's eyes, he could tell that if he didn't accept Gary's request then he might have a bigger problem on his hands.

"Fine then, so be it," Morfran said as he disappeared into the shadows and could no longer be seen.

"Ray give up."

But Ray was stubborn and shook his head.

"Then you leave me no choice."

Lenny had prepared magic in his fist ready for Gary to move but when Gary did, in an instant he had gone right past Lenny and was already by Ray's side. Gary drew out the black sword and swung it at Ray.

Ray managed to lift both of his hands to block in time but the blow was powerful causing his feet to be lifted off the ground. However, before Ray's body could be blown away, Gary grabbed Ray with his gauntlet hand and threw him to the ground in front of him.

Ray was immensely hurt by the blow and before he could get back up, the black blade was already at his throat.

"Kill me than Gary!" Ray shouted, "Just do it."

"You don't think I will do you?" Gary said, but as his blade was up against Ray's throat, he noticed his hands were starting to shake.

"It looks like your right Ray, I can't do it and now the Shadow will punish me for not completing my task."

Gary put the sword away and started to walk off. As his body started to disappear into the shadow, he said his finale words that echoed through the room.

"Goodbye, my friend."