Not much to say here. Enjoy!

I opened the stone door and found Dad standing where I ordered him too. He was surprised by the cut on my face, I could tell. "It's time," I said.

"Will this work?" he asked as we neared the alter.

"If it didn't work with Aqua, it should with her." I took Renee at this point and held her above the stone table. "Phoenix! I offer you the true sacrifice! All I ask in return is a simple favor!"

As I placed her, the ground started to shake. Dad tumbled over and left my sight, but I was able to keep my balance. Fire shot up from all around and I could see a figure of an amazing bird. It was as muscular as a falcon while having a colossal wingspan coving the whole room, and the room itself could hold 10 ships. "What is this simple favor that you ask other than ultimate power as all have asked before you?"

I could guess he was using telepathy to communicate. "All I want is for these two on the stone table to be healed and their souls restored. They shouldn't have died when they did. It was before their time."

"You are right, it is a simple favor. Are you sure you don't want to have ultimate power? You can do that and much more."

"I remember hearing that 'absolute power corrupts absolutely.' All I want is to be me with someone else."

The phoenix was silent. I could see past the fire and notice his eyes were slightly dimmed. "You love one of these women?" I was somewhat surprised that he knew. "The young girl with violet eyes is the one. Her spirit gives me the sense that she has the same for you. If I give this wish to you, will you treat her with the respect that she should deserve?"

"Yes! I would die for her!"

"You are the first mortal I have seen to actually be sincere of that statement. Your bloodstained clothes were spilt for her name. The cut on your face was from fighting for her life, as well as her mothers. I shall give you the wish." I felt a wind pass by as the being flapped it's wings. It was much softer than it looked. "I must say, I envy your love. I was imprisoned in this inferno for killing all those who came close. I had no love for other things. You shown me that love is something worth fighting for."

The flames disbursed and my dad could be seen again. "Gale! What in blue blazes happened?"

I looked behind myself to see Aqua and Renee still on the table, but there was something different. They were breathing. "I got my wish," I replied with a smile and tears building in my eyes.

Renee was the first to move and my heart started to pound. She sat up and shook her head, as if she woke up from a hit on the head. Her first action was looking around, until she set her sights on me, then she smiled. "I met your mom."

I couldn't help but giggle some. "Did you?"

"She beautiful, and she says that she loves you." Renee then shot over and embraced her arms around me. "And I'm no different." I returned it. It felt so right to hold her in my arms, not in death, but in love. And instead of pulling away, when she started to go back she pressed her lips to mine. I was surprised, but I quickly returned that as well.

"Alright, what's with this, now?" Aqua's voice made us break and blush some. I looked to see her getting off the stone. "You finally found the one, Ren?" Renee leaned on me and I felt her nod her head.

"Then you'd better take care of her, Wind," Dad added.

I only felt myself blush harder. "Aw, Dad, come on!" Morph flew over to Renee and took a look at her.

"Hey, what's this little thing?" She asked. Morph then flew up to me and transformed into a ring.

"Morph! You're rushing!" I said, poking him and making him turn back. Everyone laughed at my little statement, even though I felt it true. However, something popped up in the back of my head. "Dad, did you hear of my crew and Jim's while you were out?"

"Actually..." Him trailing off made me think. They were still alive, right? "You're first mate, Salam, should be outside. He told me there were no casualties."

"None?"

"Losing half a crew must've done Rattle's crew in," Aqua mentioned. I then looked at my clothes. I have half a crew's blood on me? "Did you, Gale?"

I looked back up as I heard the question. "Did I what?"

"Aye, he did," Dad answered for me. "He took Renee's sword and cut through each one like Hell's tomorrow."

Then it hit me. I still had her sword latched on me. "Oh, that reminds me." I pulled it out and gave it to Ren. "Here ya are." Instead of a 'thank you,' I received another kiss, this time on the cheek.

"I still can't get over it," Aqua came in, disbelief in her voice. "I thought for sure you would stay single until you were 30."

"30?!" Didn't I hear Renee say before that she had to be married by 20? "Renee?"

A smiled crossed Ren's face. "I was just saying that to get you worried."

"Oh, baitin' a hook, were you?"