Mogul vs. Remnants Pt. XI: Remnant 1 vs. Paladin Icarus

Chapter 120 (Remnant 1)

"Icarus!" Kanade shouted, as he ran up to the Paladin.

I held out my hand and caught Lucius, who was falling several hundred feet from the air, he was bloodied, battered, bruised. His spike clad was torn and cracked in a million pieces.

"Luke..." Sophia ran up to him and put her hands on his chest, healing him.

"Hey... Sophie... I told you didn't I? I would survive..."

Thomas and Deacon looked at Icarus.

"His power is immense." Deacon noted. I nodded. This was unlike any opponent we had faced. The only person who could realistically pose a threat would be Mogul.

Merrow held Kanade back.

"Let me go! Icarus?! Do you remember me? It's Kanade."

Icarus turned around, his gargantuan wings blocking the sun, casting a shadow on the city.

"Kanade... I regained my senses a long time ago."

I turned and found the body of a dead angel. "Erion... Icarus what have you done?"

Icarus was expressionless. Kanade held out his hand.

"But... you killed him... you killed ERION! WHY?! WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS?!" Kanade screamed.

Icarus said nothing as he looked up into the sky.

"My dear young Remnants. At long last, you have come to see the real me. For what I truly am."

Kanade's eyes widened. "Icarus... please. We can still recover from this. There is no need to spill any more blood. I forgive you I-"

"No."

Kanade slowly lowered his hand, his face in utter desperation.

Icarus put his arm into the air, and the chains began to wrap around his body, his body glowing white as elegant golden armour, angelic, just like Erion's plated his body.

"I am the Paladin of Light. But at the end of the day, I am still a Paladin. A mercenary to Acadia. Our hearts are not pure."

Kanade tried to step forward, but Merrow restrained him.

"Kanade... let him go."

Tears streamed down his face. "Uncle Icarus... no one is beyond forgiveness, please. We must see past this. Your Paladin days are in the past."

Icarus shook his head. "My dear young Remnant, when I regained my consciousness, battling Lucius, I watched as I brought down the killing blow. For it was not Lucius who received it, but Erion. The last of the winged soldiers."

Icarus held out his hand, and pointed it at me.

"Arman Wan, the Firstborn of Decen, was the cause for the fall of the Silver City's defences. I was the cause for the deaths of the Silver City's Elders. Our brothers and sisters of the Paladin Collective, Decen, Jonna, Nika, Azazel, Horcas... we were the cause of so much death. For that was what we were made to do. By the Acadians."

The chains on his right hand merged together to form an enormous blade, which clunked onto the ground. The chains on his other hand loosened, floating around the Winged Paladin.

"That is who we are. There is no changing that. I must return to where I lay. I must rest with my brethren. And there is only one way for this to happen."

Icarus pointed the blade at us.

"Through battle."

Arman Wan, the Firstborn of Decen, was the cause for the fall of the Silver City's defences

I clenched my fists. I was the reason for all of this. For Erion's decision to abandon his duty as a Silver Warrior, for Icarus' revival. I was the reason for all this mess. I looked at all the civilians who were cowering.

Because I was a Remnant of War.

No amount of service to the Argen Church. No matter how high of a rank of Priest I was...

Could justify the damage I had done.

"Arman..." Merrow put her hand on my arm. "This isn't your fault."

"It is." I replied. As I stepped forward, drawing Loz-Q.

"But I know now that what I am... is not anything pure." I turned to Merrow, my face full of sorrow.

"I am sorry Lady Rivenlight, but I am not the pure, kind, and compassionate man you think I am. I can never be that ideal you wish to see."

I pointed the blade, and powered up, my hair spiking and changing colour, as I entered my Phoenix Form.

Lucius got to his feet. "Arman..."

I looked at my brother. "You will lead us to battle. I cannot afford to have you die. Not before we face off Mogul. I am going to take down Icarus."

Icarus closed his eyes and smiled. "Remnant 1. I sense you are no longer the man I once knew. Something inside you has changed. A new courage. A new bravery. Or perhaps this is... a reawakening."

Icarus took one step and materialized in front of me, but I had already blocked it. My ascended form providing me with new power, stronger reflexes, strength, speed. Stronger everything.

I took his blow, intercepting it with Loz-Q. "No more cowering, Paladin Icarus. We settle this. For good."

Chapter 121 (Remnant 1)

Icarus began to power up, and pushed me away, flying into the sky, but the Phoenix Form provided me with a means to chase after him, as I blasted forward, trailing behind white and gold flames.

"Arman!" Deacon shouted, as he chased alongside me. Merrow, Thomas, Kanade, Lucius, and Sophia were flying alongside me as well.

Icarus leaned back, and launched hundreds of chains our way, but Deacon held out his hand.

Dante's Inferno - Conical Immolation

A massive torrent of Demonfire blasted the chains as they dissipated.

Sophia's grimoire opened as she casted a bunch of runes all around Icarus, and suddenly he stopped.

"Elven magic..." Icarus muttered, as Lucius and Merrow closed in, stabbing and slashing with overwhelming speed, but Icarus smiled and deflected everything with his chains.

"Merrow Rivenlight, you have improved in your skill... but... it is still not good enough." Icarus wrapped her in a chain and slammed her against Sophia, who went unconscious.

"Sophie!" Lucius shouted and glared at Icarus. "I'm gonna kill you."

Icarus beckoned him forward, but Lucius took one step and began to fall. Sophia was the reason he was able to keep up in the air.

"Whoa there!" Thomas said, and caught Lucius with his telekinesis.

He held out his hand and restrained Icarus. "You're not going anywhere Tyrael!"

Icarus grunted, as he slowly began to move.

Thomas' eyes widened. "What the... how is he..." Beads of sweat began to form around his forehead.

"He's... so damn heavy!"

Icarus took his blade, and aimed it at the sky, as a ton of white orbs appeared.

"Begone, controller." He shouted, as the orbs expanded into hundreds of white lances, shooting right at us.

"Thomas!" Deacon shouted, as he clasped his hands together, his body glowing black and orange.

Angelbreaker Blast - Full Gatling

A torrent of Demonfire blasts countered the lances, but were outnumbered. Deacon grabbed Thomas and weaved out of the way.

Icarus zoomed in, and I clashed against his chains.

"Will you hide with your brethren? Remnant?"

I gritted my teeth as Icarus sent me back into the ground with a massive BOOM.

I got to my feet as the others descended all around him.

Deacon summoned his tendrils and engaged Icarus, who held out his hand, and counteracted all of them with his chains.

"You fight like Decen, but you lack his power."

Deacon grimaced as he took a step back, blocking a chain strike that sent him sliding backwards.

"You know nothing of me, Icarus." He said, as he took off his mask and transformed.

Nothing at all. Deacon engaged Icarus again, but Icarus was far too skilled, as he began to overwhelm Fury. I jumped into the clash as the two of us engaged Icarus in a 2 on 1. Deacon keeping his distance, slashing and cutting with his wide ranged flaming bladed tendril attacks while I slashed and cut at Icarus close range.

The Paladin smirked as he held us both off.

"I fought to seek a way to be put down, but I see that even against Decen's spawn, it is still not enough."

Icarus wrapped my neck in a chain and pulled me to him, elbowing me as I flew backwards. Deacon swiped down, but Icarus rematerialized behind him, and sent three chains through his back, impaling the Remnant. Fury's transformation dissipated as Icarus lifted him into the air.

"Bastard!" Meena growled, appearing out of nowhere. She must had followed us through the portal. She began firing her bullets at Icarus, which glanced off his armour.

"Why do you fight me? This is futile." Icarus examined Deacon, and my vision turned red in rage. I blasted forward, but Icarus smiled and held out his hand. Everything turned bright momentarily.

I remembered this.

It was the same trick Hyperion had pulled on me.

I immediately ducked down and swung with Loz-Q managing to cut through Icarus' armour, sending him doubling over.

"Impressive."

Icarus began to glow green, as I charged, slashing down. Icarus bobbed and weaved with speed even faster than before. Had he been only using a fraction of his speed the entire time?

Icarus was moving so fast his after images surrounded me. I spun in a circle, launching a windstorm with Loz-Q outwards, but Icarus materialized on top of me, and kicked me into the ground, as I exited my transformation.

"Combat Intuition serves no purpose when your opponent is too fast for you to process." Icarus noted, then he turned to Meena.

"That power was what made Decen so formidable in battle, but there was a reason why he obtained it. It was because his reflexes were inferior to mine." Icarus pressed down as I growled in pain.

"As for you, woman. I see from your expression that this Remnant you hold dear." Paladin Icarus brought Deacon's unconscious body, still impaled before her eyes. Meena breathed angrily, her one eye full of rage.

A massive wall of spikes came hurtling to Icarus, but Icarus didn't even look at it, holding out his hand. The spikes clashed against his palm and shattered.

"Mediocre." Icarus said, as he turned around and dodged Lucius' swipe. Then wrapped his chains around his knuckle, and punching the air, blocking an invisible force from crushing him.

"Dammit!" Thomas and Lucius grumbled at the same time.

Merrow tried her luck, flying in, but Icarus caught her spear.

"This battle is decided."

Icarus kneed Merrow as she hit the ground.

Runes surrounded the Paladin, as electricity began arcing across his body.

"Elven girl, you are nothing to me. Know your place." Icarus spun around, creating a massive windstorm that knocked everybody back.

I struggled to my feet. Realizing I was the only one standing, alongside Kanade.

Kanade ran up to Icarus, grabbing onto his armour.

"Please, Uncle Icarus... no more! NO MORE!"

Icarus regarded the Remnant with empty eyes. "Kanade..."

Kanade buried his face into Icarus' breastplate. "You don't have to do this. I need you. I love you. Please, stop this."

"Kanade."

The Remnant looked up, and suddenly, my eyes widened. He wasn't going to...

Icarus held up his hand, and slapped Kanade, as the boy fell to the ground. In absolute shock.

The Paladin pointed his sword at the Remnant. "You are a disgrace."

Kanade stared at Icarus. "Uncle... Ic-"

"Decen would have been most disappointed. To pride himself as a fearsome, heartless warrior, but to have created such a pathetic abomination. A being who does not wish to fight."

I stepped forward. "Icarus... you bastard. How could you say that to your own nephew?!"

Icarus regarded me. "You don't understand?"

The Paladin zipped in, and punched me in the midsection as I vomited blood, stumbling backwards, and falling to my knees. I groaned in the nausea in pain as Icarus continued.

"I have no place here. My time was when I was dead. Killed by your progenitor. My friends and family are dead. Yet, Decen had once again messed with me. By having his Remnants force me back into the living. To force me to see more death. To force me to see more carnage. No more. I will be put to rest."

Icarus brought his blade up. "Even if it means I must throw away all honour." The Paladin brought down the blade, but was intercepted at the last minute.

Suddenly Lucius had gotten to his feet. "Throw away your honour?!" He gritted his teeth. Icarus grimaced, and pushed harder, but Lucius roared, summoning his spike clad once more, resisting the Paladin's strength.

"I don't know jack shit about honour. But I remembered you. Because I came from Decen. He ALWAYS saw you as a man of honour. To always uphold everything. The hell you on about throwing away your honour?! If you wanted to die so badly, then let it happen. But I can't, for the LIFE of me, understand why people have to die like this. With regrets."

Lucius looked at Sophia, who was still on the ground, but she had her hand on her mouth, her eyes twinkling with tears.

"I'm destined to give my life. And my beloved Sophia now knows this, but she still supports me. Why is that? Because there is no regrets. I will do everything in my power to make sure she's happy. What you did to Kanade... it's below a Paladin. Hell, it's below a PERSON. You call yourself stronger than Decen? Well at least Decen went down giving it his all, true to himself!"

Lucius pushed Icarus back, who's face had turned from expressionless to shocked.

"I AIN'T GOING DOWN, PALADIN ICARUS!" Lucius roared, as he stomped on the ground, delivering a powerful slash.

Suddenly, the blade stopped moving.

"LUKE!" Sophia screamed.

Lucius looked down, as a bladed chain had pierced right through his stomach. Lucius opened his mouth as blood spilled from it. He doubled backwards.

Icarus' eyes glinted with rage. "Do NOT tell me how to live my life, you puny, insignificant Remnant!" The Paladin powered up his chains, and his wings condensed into a point of energy, as he brought his fist down.

Lucius clenched his teeth, and tried to intercept the punch.

"I'm not telling you... how to live your life..." Lucius seethed.

"I'm just..."

Icarus growled, puffing and huffing as his fist glowed brighter on the side of Pariah.

Lucius looked at Icarus, with a face full of determination.

"Spitting facts. Bitch."

Icarus roared in defiance, as suddenly, Pariah began to crack. Lines of white light appearing from the blade, as Lucius' eyes went wide.

I watched in disbelief, as Pariah, the Celestial Slayer, that was said to be indestructible, split into two pieces, shattering from the force of Paladin Icarus' punch.

Chapter 121 (Remnant 1)

"As much as Decen had claimed he didn't like him... he did see him as a brother, he lived with him pretty much... all his life you know?" Kyrael had once told me.

I struggled to my feet. The shockwave of Pariah breaking had sent everybody knocked out. I had managed to pull Kanade away at the last moment.

"Kanade, are you alright?"

Kanade ran up to me and buried his face in my chest. "No. Please, Arman. Just finish this. I can't... I'm tired. I'm finished."

Icarus regarded the two of us. "It brings me no joy that it must end like this. But I will not continue living. I shall keep fighting and applying pressure on the wound, until I no longer draw breath."

I patted Kanade's head. "Take Merrow and the others out of here." Kanade looked at Icarus one last time, and walked away.

Icarus looked down.

I walked the other way, and picked up one half of Pariah. Instantly, the strap for it returned around my shoulder.

I drew Loz-Q with my other hand, until I was dual wielding the two blades, just like old times.

"You may not be Decen, but of all your brothers, you resemble him the most." Icarus smiled.

I assumed my stance, brandishing both Pariah and Loz-Q.

"Icarus... no matter how much damage you have done so far..." I said, as my body surged with power once more. My hair spiking up and turning white-gold, as I assumed by Phoenix Form once more.

I looked Icarus in the eye. "You were the closest to a biological father I ever had."

Icarus took a step back, lifting his Chainblade, and levitating his chains in the air, as his wings manifested, his body glowing green, sparkling.

"And you, the closest to Decen I have ever had the pleasure of battling."

I stumbled forward. A trudge. Turned into a brisk. Turned into a run. Turned into a sprint. As the two of us shot forward with immense speed, clashing.

I struggled against Icarus' strength. Even with the Phoenix Transformation, he was too strong. Icarus yelled a battlecry as he blasted me into the sky. I stopped in midair, and intercepted another strike. And another. And another.

Paladin Icarus was strong, and I finally understood why Decen could never ever surpass him.

It wasn't just a matter of strength.

Or power.

He had it all. Power. Speed. Strength. Durability. Reflexes. Intelligence.

Everything about him.

Was strong.

"Fall, Remnant." Icarus commanded, and sent two massive cylindrical clubs of light which I blocked with both Pariah and Loz-Q. I brandished Loz-Q, and filled the area with frost, but Icarus ignored it, blasting me with light. I instinctively absorbed the energy with Pariah, and redirected it back to Icarus, who zoomed forward, deflected it off of his chain, and smashed me right in the face with speed too fast for my reflexes to process. I zipped into four massive mountains, destroying each one.

Despite the protective nature of the Phoenix Form, I felt my bones momentarily snap, and mend as I smashed into the fifth mountain, leaving behind a massive crater.

Icarus materialized in front of me, as my eyes widened. I zipped out of the way as Icarus launched a powerful swipe that cut the mountain in two.

I got to my feet, just in time for me to block another one of Icarus' swipes. Then evade his numerous chains as they slammed into the mountain, destroying it and causing the entire landform to slip and slide down the side. Icarus began to pressure me with his sword and chains, but this time, I found it a bit more manageable with two swords versus one.

"Give it up, R1." Icarus said, as one of the chains caught me up the chest, slashing at my eye.

I backflipped, grinding Pariah against Loz-Q.

"No way." I said, as the two swords glowed with a bright gold mist. I launched a massive, amplified crossed arc at Icarus, as the impact pushed him into the side of the mountain, destroying it, and causing a massive boom that shattered the entire landform into millions of pieces.

Icarus began to glow, his gigantic angel wings flapping, sending him hurtling to me as the two of us clashed. Remnant against Paladin.

"Grrrrkk!!!" I seethed, as Icarus struggled as well.

Icarus' expression started to become surprised.

"You... you're not just using your transformation, are you, Arman?"

I smiled. "Damn, you finally caught on!"

I began to glow with the Blessing of Pollux, along with the Phoenix Transformation, as I pushed Icarus back and launched a double upwards slash, smashing Icarus as I roared in defiance, pushing the Paladin into the air. I shot up to meet him.

Icarus smiled, as he concentrated. His body glowing even brighter, as two more wings sprouted from his lower back, creating four angelic gargantuan wings, green glow and sparkles illuminating the sky beautifully. How could someone so dangerous...

Look so beautiful.

REMNANT 1, YOU HAVE FINALLY FORCED ME TO USE MY FULL POWER. I HOPE YOU ARE READY.

I smiled as I grabbed Loz-Q, and slit the tattoo on my left arm, unleashing the Fires of War. I yelled, as my body began surging with so much power. More power than I ever had before.

The combined effects of the Blessing of Pollux, The Fires of War, and the Phoenix Transformation, causing my hair to spike up even more, golden flames entering Pariah as it surged through me, and an arctic over-mold around my right, glowing gold and bright.

Gold electricity surrounded me as the air around me compressed into a tornado.

"HERE I COME! PALADIN ICARUS!" I roared as I blasted upwards, bringing my swords down against Icarus' chains.

We both yelled our battlecries as everything began to shake violently.

Icarus looked down, and watched as I began to crack his chains.

"BY THE PALADIN CODE OF ACADIA..." I said, a voice that was emanating from within me.

Icarus' face became shocked, as I destroyed his chains, everything going into slow motion, as I closed in on the Paladin of Light, bringing my swords in for one final blow.

"You truly are his Remnant." Icarus said, his shocked expression turning into a prideful smile.

"YOU HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED." I shouted, as I brought the swords down, cutting right through Icarus' armour, and slicing deep into the Paladin as his body exploded in a brilliant white light, the light parting the clouds, breaking through the darkness that fell on the Silver City.

"CONTRACT. COMPLETE!!!" My voice boomed all over the city, as I saw Merrow from the distance, a hand over her mouth, her eyes glinting in pride.

I launched Icarus into the ground with a massive boom, as I felt all my power leaving my body.

I began to fall. Lower and lower, until something caught me. A beautiful woman with green frizzy hair, a Hydropower embrace.

We descended onto the ground, until I could make out the defeated body of Paladin Icarus.

Chapter 122 (Remnant 1)

Kanade ran up to Icarus, and put his hands on his ruined armour, but Icarus grabbed his wrists, shaking his head.

"It must be this way, my dear Kanade."

"But..."

I walked up to the fallen Paladin, picking up my two swords and strapping them to my back.

"You are still awake, after all that." I noted.

Icarus nodded. "You've realized it, haven't you, Firstborn."

"Realize what?"

Icarus lifted his finger, and pointed it to my heart.

"Why it was you who became the Firstborn. To be the eldest."

"I don't..."

"Phoenix Transformation, is that what you called it?"

"Yes..."

Icarus managed a weak laugh. "Funny. Decen had named it that too, when he saw me use it."

Merrow stared at Icarus. "That power that Arman has... it's... yours?!"

"Indeed."

Icarus clenched his fist, and a similar aura surrounded him. "It is the power of the Phoenix that grants me my power. The Phoenix fuels my abilities, my control of my chains. It was one of the powers Decen had wanted from me, and was the first he wanted to manifest upon consuming my cells."

I looked at my hands. "So... my regeneration..." The conversation I had with him resurfacing.

Icarus regarded me. "Is not his. Not entirely. Your regeneration was reduced by the Remnant Reduction, but it was compensated with the power of the Phoenix. With my power."

I knelt down in front of Icarus, as the rest of the Remnants and their families and loved ones crowded around me.

"Icarus... why didn't you tell me I inherited from you? There was so many things I could have learned. You could have been..."

"I would have become what I am to Kanade. And our parting will become that much more painful."

Icarus ran his hand across Kanade's hair as the Remnant rested his head on his father figure's chest.

I fell to my knees. "Icarus..."

Icarus smiled. "Don't mistaken me, Firstborn. Our parting, even if I met you for only a few days, is still painful on my side. To see so much of your father in you."

A tear ran down my cheek.

"The love and compassion that you held dear from when I first met you, I could sense you have had many people care for you. But a part of you sought for a biological connection."

"Icarus... I..."

Suddenly the sky turned dark. Merrow spun around, as Deacon burst into flames.

"Something is coming."

Paladin Icarus looked at Kanade. "Restore us. We have one more battle to fight."

Kanade gasped. "But..."

Icarus put his palms on his breastplate, as Kanade began to glow white. "Kanade... you can become someone great, without bloodshed. Being true to yourself. Greatness can be achieved your own way. Just as you had made a name for yourself by staying true to yourself, you can support your brothers the same way. I believe in you."

Kanade's expression hardened.

"Thank you, Uncle Icarus. Protect me, one last time."

Kanade turned to us. "Everybody latch on to me. I will restore all of your power."

Everybody put their hands on Kanade as I looked onward.

The clouds parted, a swirling dark vortex as a familiar black lightning descended from the dark heavens.

A powerfully built orc, skin dark as night. Eyes red as blood. Scarring, like the fields of the Underworld.

REMNANTS OF DECEN, UNITED, YET INCOMPLETE. Mogul boomed from the sky.

Lucius drew his half of Pariah.

"Mogul!"

Mogul smiled from the skies, descending, and landing on the ground before us as a massive storm of wind emanated from him, casting shadows of darkness across the Silver City.

WHAT IS THIS? ONE MORE PALADIN THAT ESCAPED MY GRASPS?

Paladin Icarus stood up and walked by my side. "Be great, Arman Wan. You are not just carrying the legacy of Decen. You are also carrying mine as well. For my final stand today."

I put my hand on his shoulder plate. "No. Icarus. We shall battle Mogul together."

Lucius walked up to us. "Yeah. United."

Merrow and the others joined in. "Decen's death is not going in vain. We will not yield to you, Mogul."

Mogul tilted his head. PALADIN OF LIGHT. I DO NOT RECALL EVER SLAYING YOU. FOR YOUR BROTHER HAD ALREADY DID THAT. DID YOU COME BACK FROM THE DEAD TO BE SLAIN THE RIGHT WAY?

I transformed into my Phoenix Form, and drew both Loz-Q and Pariah.

"It is you, who will be slain, Aspect."

Mogul regarded me. ARMAN WAN. YOUR LAST FIGHT WITH ME ENDED WITH YOU IN A CATATONIC STATE. WHAT IS A MERE REMNANT GOING TO DO AGAINST THE PRIME ASPECT?

Merrow cut him off. "Because he is the first. The first of many to come. The Remnant of War. The oldest of his kind. He is the Kingslayer, and he shall avenge the death of my Paladin, along with his brothers."

Mogul smiled.

THEN COME. FORCES OF ICARUS AND DECEN. I SHALL ENJOY THIS ENCOUNTER. THREE MINUTES, I HAVE. MORE THAN ENOUGH.

Icarus summoned his chains, and all four of his wings, going full power. Deacon transformed into his Vessel of Diablos form, Thomas glowed green, Lucius summoned his Spike Cladding to its maximum potential, snarling at Mogul, Merrow summoned a torrent of Hydropower on her spear, Meena drawing her revolvers, slotting in glowing magical bullets into her guns, and Sophia put her grimoire into the air, and enchanted herself with runes.

Kanade held out his hands as we were given a small angelic white glow.

"I will provide you with a boost in your defences. Good luck."

Icarus combined his chains into a blade, then looked at me. "Shall we? Remnant of War?"

I smiled, through the angelic glow of my Phoenix Form, my white gold hair dancing in the wind. "We shall, Paladin of Light!"

We powered up and delivered our battlecries, as we charged the Prime Aspect of Sin.

Chapter 123 (Remnant 1)

Lucius took command, as he stepped forward, speaking through his fangs.

"Icarus, Arman, Deacon, Merrow and I will take on Mogul short range. Sophia keep the enchantments going to weaken that Darkseid looking ass as much as you can. Kanade, keep us safe. And Meena, look for any weak spots and blast him from there with your guns."

We all nodded in agreement.

COME. Mogul brought his hand up, and Deacon growled.

Angelbreaker Slash: Full Gatling!

Hundreds of slashes came Mogul's way, as he took all the damage from the tendrils. Merrow and Lucius closed in, slashing and jabbing Mogul with as much power as they could, but Mogul simply took the damage.

Icarus ran in and grabbed Mogul, wrapping his neck in a chain, and tried to throw him into the air, but Mogul was too heavy, and he yanked Icarus' chains, grabbing the Paladin by the neck.

YOU SHALL DIE THE SAME WAY DECEN DID.

"Not today." I growled, as I summoned everything I had, and slashed downwards with an amplified Loz-Q and Pariah, causing his head to reel back, and the Prime Aspect to stumble.

Mogul launched a punch my way, but I weaved out of the way, and delivered a slash on his midsection. Lucius rushed in, spikes covering his half of Pariah and his knuckles, as he slammed the blade across Mogul's face, then sent a devastating punch and reeled his face the other direction.

Mogul took one step back, grinning evilly, as he launched a punch in Lucius' direction. Lucius raised his right arm, which expanded in Cladding to block the strike. The force sending him flying.

Suddenly, my senses dialled up. I instinctively grabbed Merrow and leapt out of the way, as a giant green fist appeared from the air. I looked up to see a gigantic glowing green hologram, a Spartan warrior, slamming his fist into Mogul. Inside the hologram, was Thomas.

"Take this!" He shouted, and held out his other hand, as rocks began to accumulate around the Aspect, crushing him into one ball. Thomas roared in effort, as he slowly began to lift Mogul into the air. Then he brought his fist back, and punched the ball with so much force that it knocked us all away.

The rocks all disintegrated from the force of the punch, as Mogul was revealed to be inside the ball, blocking Thomas' fist construct with just one hand.

Deacon zoomed in, his body powered up.

KINGDOMBREAKER SLASH

He shouted, as his tendrils combined into one giant blade on his arm, slashing upwards. Mogul stumbled back, as I looked in amazement. A line of red had appeared over the Prime Aspect's face.

YOU... Mogul grumbled, as Deacon grinned, his transformation dissipating.

Mogul tried to reach in, but his hand was shot down by a flurry of bullets.

Meena had pointed her revolvers at Mogul, and Sophia was enhancing her bullets.

She began firing more and more at Mogul, pushing him back, as Lucius, Thomas, and I zoomed in delivering our attacks simultaneously, getting his face in three different angles.

THIS IS NOTHING. Mogul said, as he flexed his muscles and sent us all flying back.

Mogul closed in on me, and launched a punch as I intercepted it with Pariah and Loz-Q.

YOU THINK CALLING ON ICARUS' LIGHT WILL SAVE YOU FROM ME?

I summoned the Blessing of Pollux, giving it my all, but Mogul was too strong.

This wasn't Icarus.

Mogul was a whole different monster on his own.

"Do not underestimate the Firstborn, Aspect." Icarus' voice boomed from above, as hundreds of chains wrapped Mogul, and the Paladin sent the Aspect into the air.

Deacon suddenly appeared, his power restored. I looked behind and saw Kanade standing with Sophia, her magic amplifying his range, as he restored all of our power.

KINGDOM BREAKER... INFERNAL LEGERDEMAIN: FULL GATLING.

A massive explosion seared Mogul as the Aspect roared, sending everybody back. Icarus closed in from the top, and Merrow blasted upwards with her spear, as the two took on Mogul in an exchange. Lucius and I powered up, as he nodded to me. We leapt upwards as Thomas supported Lucius, joining Merrow and Icarus on their exchange.

YOUR POWER IS NOTHING. Mogul said, as he showed no signs of damage. But suddenly, blue runes lined his body. Lucius glanced down, and grinned. "That's my Sophie." He said, as he looked back at Mogul, summoning his Spikes to their max once more, his body glowing with Kanade's amplification.

He slammed the blade as hard as he could at Mogul, as Merrow and Icarus rose to the air, launching a combined flurry of light lances, and Hydropower spear jabs at Mogul, as Mogul began to show signs of damage.

A WEAKENING SPELL. NOT BAD, ELF.

Deacon and I yelled as we closed in, our blades slashing Mogul as we slammed him into several mountains.

Lucius shouted at us. "Now! After him! While we have the advantage!"

Kanade suddenly collapsed from exhaustion, and Merrow and Thomas hit the ground.

Merrow tried to get to her feet, but she had exhausted herself.

"No." I said, as I walked up to her, putting my hand on her shoulder. "Save your strength, in case we must retreat."

Merrow looked me. "But..."

"Let us avenge our progenitor. You have done plenty." I smiled.

Lucius nodded at Deacon, Icarus, and I. We shot to Mogul's location, Lucius acrobatically leaping from falling rock to falling rock, as Deacon, Icarus and I soared in the skies.

Mogul stopped his momentum just in time for all three of us to clash.

SHOW ME YOUR POWER, ICARUS AND DECEN.

Icarus gritted his teeth. "He is strong indeed. My full power... does not even come close."

"Shut the fuck up and fight!"

Lucius shouted, as he spun from within the dust, his glowing red eyes and red lightning, complimenting the demonic spikes all over his body. Mogul spun around and deflected his sword strike with his other hand, as we all yelled, trying to pressure Mogul.

Mogul began to struggle, as we closed in on him.

"More! MORE!" I shouted, as I let a piece of rock scrape my tattoo, the Fires of War amplifying my strength.

The combined effort... I couldn't sustain it for long, but it had to be enough.

We began to close in, but suddenly, the runes on Mogul's body disappeared.

"No..." Deacon said, as Mogul smiled.

UNLUCKY TRADE, CHILDREN OF DEIMOS.

Mogul spread his arms out, blasting us all out of the way. We landed on the ground, exiting our transformations.

Mogul spun and glared at Lucius sinisterly.

YOU WILL LEAD THEM, YES?

Lucius leaned against a falling piece of a cliff.

"Yeah. I ain't scared of you."

YOU SHOULD BE. Mogul said, as he closed in and grabbed Lucius by the face, dragging him across the cliff and throwing him with so much force that he shot right into a neighbouring mesa, the ripples of the impact levelling the entire landform.

"Screw... you..." Lucius muttered, as he lost consciousness, falling into the depths.

"Lucius!" I screamed, but a green light appeared, dragging an unconscious Brickhouse away.

Fury tried to intercept Mogul, but he was completely depleted of his power.

FURY. I TOLD YOU, THAT YOU WOULD BE THE FIRST TO DIE. LET ME CARRY OUT MY WORD.

Mogul grabbed Fury and lifted him into the air and snapped his back.

Fury screamed in pain. As Thomas dragged him back too.

Fury... to have such a high pain tolerance. This was the first time he displayed pain.

Mogul then turned to Icarus and I and slammed the two of us into another mesa.

We tumbled and landed on our backs, as Mogul approached us, his sinister body emitting black electricity.

I struggled to my feet, using Pariah as a crutch.

"We're not finished... yet. Mogul."

Mogul laughed sinisterly. TOUGH WORDS, FROM A WARRIOR ON THE VERGE OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS.

"Unconsciousness?" I asked, as white and gold energy swirled around me, intensifying, as I transformed into my Phoenix Form once more.

"I'm just getting started."

I sliced my left forearm, as my body powered up with my two additional boosts on top of my transformation. My whole body began creaking, as if my bones were about to be split apart from the sheer amount of power surging through my body.

Icarus got to one knee. "Remnant, your battle against me is not a good indicator on your outcome with Mogul. Do not overestimate your abilities."

I brought my two swords together in a cross, glaring at Mogul, ignoring Icarus.

"I was nothing in your eyes. I was nothing in the eyes of every enemy I have faced. Because I was only seen as a Remnant. But this changes. I am the first to have bested Icarus in combat. I did what Decen could not."

I brought my foot forward, creating a crater on the ground as my stomp let loose a whirlwind from the sheer force.

"I will protect everybody here today. With this power. You will not get past me, Aspect of Sin."

I launched forward, as Mogul blocked my strike. I yelled as I summoned everything I had and began to lift Mogul off the ground.

"My FULL POWER! You can have it all!" I roared as I launched Mogul into the air, zipping around, and spinning with both Loz-Q's blizzards and the Phoenix energy's propulsion. In my eyes everything was a mere flash, but to the eyes of Icarus and the others, I was probably just a golden streak, a line streaking across the sky with unfathomable speed.

Mogul took another blade to the face. If I could expand the wound on his face that Fury had given him, I could do more damage. But I knew Mogul would figure out my plan easily. I had to be smart.

I kited the Aspect, as he simply held out his hands and blocked my strikes. Feints, and random moves.

Randomness.

To keep him from knowing which strike was aimed at his wound. Which strike was not.

By blocking his face constantly, he would just tire himself out. Because the stamina I had was beyond any being in this world.

Decen's infinite stamina.

Combined with the power of Icarus.

I zipped in and out, creating an afterimage. Mogul swung his fist at it. Now was my chance.

I materialized above him, flashing and zooming all around, creating hundreds of afterimages of myself.

"Come find me, Mogul." I taunted.

My afterimages and I shot forward, as Mogul brought his fist back, and launched it at us, dissipating the very skies and light with black lightning. The afterimages dissipated somehow... this being's strength.

But I had already closed in, from the other way.

"THIS IS THE END, MOGUL." I yelled as I brought Loz-Q and Pariah and drove it deep into Mogul's face.

I summoned everything I had. The Blessing of Pollux, illuminating the sky, amplified by the Phoenix Form, entering Pariah, the energy being dispersed by Loz-Q's storms, as the purification entered Mogul's body.

Just like I had purified Diablos.

Suddenly, Mogul began to laugh. Maniacally.

MY POOR, MISGUIDED REMNANT. Mogul said, as he pulled both swords out, overpowering me. He looked me dead in the eye, as his body suddenly began to steam with black energy. Black lightning all around.

THAT MAY HAVE WORKED ON DIABLOS. BUT I AM FAR BEYOND A PETTY IMMORTAL. I AM A PRIME ASPECT. A RULER FOR EONS.

Mogul held out his hand, and a black explosion engulfed me. My shirt tearing apart as I screamed in agony.

"Arman!" Icarus shouted, as the others had managed to get to his position. I turned around. Everybody... was hurt. Injured. Incapacitated. Drained.

I was all that was left between Mogul's wrath and my family. These people. Who cared and loved me.

"I... I WILL NOT LET YOU NEAR MY FRIENDS!" I shouted, trying to control the orb of darkness.

Mogul smiled as he held out his hand, the orb of darkness consuming me with a massive BOOM.

"Arman!" Lyra's voice appeared in me. My life flashed before my very eyes. Lyra, Kaius. Pollux. The people of Argen. Of Amod. The cult members who were kind to me. Reimos' redemption. Trista and the Argen Guard.

My scarf ripped off. The children of Hephaestus. Zack. Koios. Everybody.

Then of Merrow Rivenlight, and finally. Decen.

You are the Firstborn. So be great, dammit!

"RAAAAAAAHHH!!!" I screamed, as I gave it my all, but suddenly, my muscles tore. Everything shut down. My body shut down, as my Phoenix Form broke, as I returned to my base form. Both boosts abandoning me.

The orb dissipated, as Mogul looked surprised.

IMPRESSIVE. YOU SURVIVED AN ATTACK THAT WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO OBLITERATE PRIME ASPECT QUINTA, ALBEIT AT HER WEAKENED STATE. YOU HAVE MY RESPECTS. REMNANT 1.

I couldn't do anything.

I couldn't move anything.

I watched as I fell to the ground in a massive boom, until someone caught me.

A man, with brown curly hair, and blue eyes, smiling.

"I got you now, Arman. Well fought. You would have certainly made Decen proud." Icarus said, as he laid me on the ground.

Chapter 124 (Remnant 1)

"Arman, oh god. You're alive." Merrow crushed me in a hug.

"Please, don't do something so reckless ever again!"

I stared at Icarus. "What... what are you.."

Icarus turned around, undoing his chain. "To fulfill my wish. And to save you all." Icarus looked at Kanade, who was barely conscious, but enough to reach his hand out. Icarus knelt down and took it.

"My dear Kanade. I am so sorry for the things I have said. In an effort to abolish any ties I had with this world. I needed to leave without anybody missing and mourning over me."

"Uncle.... Icarus...." Kanade fainted from exhaustion, as Deacon and Lucius held onto him.

Deacon looked at Lucius. "I... I'm sorry for the way I treated you... brother."

Lucius smiled. "I forgive you, Deek."

I held out my hand, as Icarus got up, and put the chains into my hand.

"These are yours now. R1. Please, carry on my legacy. Just as you did for Decen." He smiled.

"Icarus..." I muttered.

Merrow held onto me as she looked at the Paladin.

"Icarus... I..."

Icarus smiled at Merrow. "I can never forget the first time we met you, Miss Rivenlight. The most beautiful annoying girl we had ever seen. Decen despised you. But there was nothing more beautiful, than to see your growth. As a nonchalant, and uninterested Guardian who hated her job, to a powerful woman looking after my best friend's Remnants. Please, continue what you are doing."

"I..."

Icarus turned to face Mogul.

"You wish to see my demise. I wish to leave this world. We can both agree on this, yes?"

Mogul nodded. INDEED, PALADIN. COME AND EMBRACE YOUR FATE.

Icarus smirked. "I'm not going to give you the satisfaction of horror. I will approach my death. Headstrong." Icarus charged and pushed Mogul into the air, and began to glow bright.

Icarus shouted down at all of us, as his light outshone the darkness of the Aspect.

"BE STRONG, CHILDREN OF DECEN. FOR YOU ALL THAT STANDS IN MOGUL'S WAY. LIVE. FOR ME. FOR THE PALADIN COLLECTIVE."

Icarus grasped Mogul and ignited himself as Mogul was engulfed in the explosion of the remains of Paladin Icarus.

"No!!!" I screamed, but Merrow held me back. Mogul hit the ground.

I sobbed as I fell to my knees. Icarus' chains still in my hand.

Mogul tried to get to his feet, but black electricity began to surround him, warping his body.

MY TIME... IS UP. BUT AT LEAST I WAS ABLE TO SLAY A PALADIN THAT GOT AWAY.

We all glared at Mogul.

Mogul smiled. DO NOT LOOK SO DISAPPOINTED, REMNANTS OF DECEN. OUR BATTLE WAS PERHAPS THE MOST INTENSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED. THIS HAS DELAYED MY RETURN TO 10 YEARS. I EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM YOU ALL, FOR WHEN I COME BACK TO RAZE THIS WORLD.

Mogul dissipated, as all we were left were the ruins of our battle.

I looked at the chains, and wrapped them around my left forearm, and suddenly, the chains began to glow, wrapping themselves for me.

These are yours now. R1. Please, carry on my legacy. Just as you did for Decen.

Merrow gasped. "You've bonded with a Paladin's weapon..."

I looked at the sky.

I realized that today, I was still not strong enough. Even with all of these boosts and new powers.

Mogul was still too strong.

It was a cruel reminder of how powerful our quest was. We were nowhere near strong enough.

"Hey." Lucius said, as he put his hand on my shoulder.

"We still gotta find the others, remember? We gave Mogul a run for his money with five of us here. Imagine when there's all fifteen of us. Chin up, Remnant. There's still hope."

I smiled. "Hope."