Sorry for the long wait, but I just got the chance to sit and write a few days ago... I am really excited about the coming concluding chapters of Gaia Shall Tremble. I want to thank you all for sticking with me and be sure to be on the look out for more chapters later this week or this weekend. I'm taking a spring break vacation from my job and so I'll be up and typing!

THAT MEANS MORE CHAPTERS!

Again thanks for reading and now enjoy!

PS sorry for TYPOS I wanted to get this out ASAP, its late here in England!

Oh by the way I'm still traveling for business, can't say which company I work for though, they may get mad seeing as I'm not focusing fully on business.

CHAPTER 25

Lightning's POV

I awoke to find my bed side absent the man whom I had shared it with the prior night. I knew this decision was not one made on his own. I found myself walking from the tent only to find him standing before Aeris and Jenova jaw set to the task and eyes of steel.

"We set out then?" I asked after a moment as cloud nodded and then Fang came herself from a hut only big enough to hold a person.

"Then let us not waste further time in confusion of our purpose." She announced with a small smile and ruffled Cloud's hair.

"Then we are set upon the same task… Jenova and I will take you from here now and reunite you with your child… it is best you find your way back to your force, lest Barthandelus finds you and your child yet." Aeris warned. Cloud merely nodded not wishing to accept this but having no option. I had spoken to Fang at lengths before Cloud had returned and called me to his bed. The woman was somewhat at peace with the decision but I knew her heart was not settled… her heart was in turmoil… she wanted to cry and show her pain, but she refused to even in my presence, she set a bold visage for not only Cloud but for myself as well.

"We waste time Cloud." She smiled as I agreed.

"Cloud it is best you direct the men, we do not know how long this quest shall endure." I commented as he nodded and gave Fang one more glance.

"I will prepare once I return, Fang, Lightning, Cid and myself will leave. Roxas, you keep Reno and the others in check return to Forgotten City gather our forces, for when I return we will strike Eden… the capital of Cocoon." Cloud spoke as he looked to me and nodded before taking his leave.

I waited with Fang unsure of what to say but finding it increasingly difficult to remain silent. "Fang…"

"Speak no further words, you win this competition, no words are needed." Fang grinned as I scowled.

"I do not see this as victory, you are to perish as we know you." I hissed, "I lose a friend and you remain as though this is an easy choice."

"I remain as such for a child and a man who need my strength… you gather yourself now." She growled as I straightened up immediately, "I will say this but once, Claire… he is yours to guard now… I must watch over my child." Fang added as I nodded and waited for Cloud's return.

When the man came back to us, he looked as though he was to walk into the arena once more. He wore no shirt and allowed his toned chest and abdomen to be shown while his boots rose just above his knees but still his toned thighs could be seen. He had found a loin cloth to cover his cock and forearm guards that were of the same color. He nodded to me and spoke.

"Are you set?" He asked as we all gave consent. "Then Jenova, Aeris set us to our path, we will return shortly Roxas, Reno, Rude… take a direct path to reunite with the others." He ordered.

Cloud's POV

The two supposed gods had lifted us from the ground and in mere moments our eyes were upon a new horizon. I marveled at how we were just moments ago in a grassland leading to a wasteland and now we stood in a ravine.

"They truly are gods…" Cid whispered behind me as I turned.

"It is time we set ourselves to purpose… come." I ordered as we set ourselves forward.

Our trek led us towards a cave opening where I leaned down and touched the ground. "do you sense something?" Claire asked me as I shook my head.

"They came through here… I know it." Fang grinned as she looked around. "I can sense Noctis was here…" She smiled as I nodded to her.

"we shall reach him yet…" I smiled softly as I pointed ahead. "First we are to enter that cave." I whispered as the trio followed my lead.

We came to what I knew was a drop, but as I peered below… I saw the group we had departed down below. "Zack!" I called as he turned with the others.

"Cloud!" HE shouted as he waved. I leapt down into the clearing and soon the others followed.

"Where's my son!" Fang shouted rushing past me and finding Tifa with our son in her arms. Fang's laughter filled my ears and heart.

"I see you are yet safe." I whispered as Zack frowned.

"Of course… we move far from the threat of Cocoon, far from the city of Eden, far from…"

"The safety of the former champion…" A voice whispered as I scowled.

"Stand from the shadow, lest incite my rage!" I demanded as Dysley stepped from the shadows.

"DYSLEY!" Claire roared as she moved forward but regained her senses.

"Dysley you stand here alone… you may be as Jenova, a false god, but your might is not greater than ours." I growled as he merely scoffed.

"Of course it is… you believed to find your family and friends yet is it so?" Dysley asked as I stared at the child in Fang's arms and slowly Noctis, my child vanished.

"NO!" I screamed as well as Fang as I rushed to her thinking to keep the image in place. "What have you done to my child!" I roared as Dysley grinned.

"They were taken hours before… back to Eden… Zack and Tifa will be hung for their part while the slaves will be beaten and sold… those who aren't sold… death shall greet them." Dysley smirked as I roared.

"I'll kill you where you stand!" I roared as I drew my sword but Dysley raised a hand.

"The children's fates are yet to be set… I will give you moment to regain them… you may once more hold your child… but for a price… your own freedom." Dysley grinned. "You see, Aeris and Jenova thought to join together to stand against me, yet they are inferior to a god such as myself… they were led to believe that by coming here, you would find a weapon that would transfer my power to one of my disciples and you would find your child… in truth I have already taken the Blade of the Lifestream and your son… you wish to liberate those left then bow as my slaves and entertain the people of Eden… Cid I will allow you to return and regain your position as well. Think of it as a display of my benevolence."

"You take from children, parents and you dare think yourself benevolent?" Fang roared her eyes red with tears. "Give me my son! I will never bother you… I will be your slave, just return my child." Fang fell to her knees as I frowned.

"Fang." I began but Dysley chuckled. "Hold your tongue snake, you will be returned of your actions." I hissed as Dysley grinned.

"Oerba Yun Fang I will return the child once we return to Eden… where the fabled Lightning and Fenrir will step into the arena and entertain the people of Eden." Dysley grinned as I looked to Fang who's eyes begged me.

"We will obey." Lightning spoke up before I could speak. "We accept your terms." She whispered as Dysley looked to me.

"Well then Fenrir what words will you speak?"

"Only words of acceptance…" I whispered as Dysley nodded.

"Then no further words must be said…" He grinned as he snapped his fingers and we were immediately inside a white palace. Now I could not show amazement, I could only feel fear for my friends, Zack, Tifa, Yuffie... my son, Noctis. "Now that we're back these men will escort you to your cells." He grinned as guards separated Cid from us.

"Dysley, my son…" Fang whimpered as he grinned.

"Take this one to my chambers… I will deal with her myself." Dysley grinned as I scowled. "Take Fenrir to a private cell and Lightning to one of her own… soon Fenrir, you shall be upon the sands yet again." Dysley smirked as I was stripped of my weapon and led away.

Lightning and I were led to a dungeon similar to Rufus's holding cells. I shared a glance with her before she was led away down a different hall while I was pushed into a cell with several other men.

"Fresh meat…" One grinned as I scowled.

"Raise thy fucking head and see it departed from body." I hissed as the men grinned and stood.

"A fucking worm thinks himself above greater men." Another grinned as I rushed forward slamming him into the wall. The others came and I was pulled off and instantly a fist slammed into my jaw disorienting me for a moment but I managed to stay on my feet and grab the man rushing me and slam his head into the wall of the prison before backhanding another to the ground. The others rushed and I rolled between two of them and jumped to head butt a third.

"How dare you!" One of the other slaves shouted as I elbowed him in his throat and then threw him into the other two who had just rushed me. The trio slammed against the cage of our cell before falling to the ground. I then dodged another attack and caught the man's arm before twisting it.

"Are you done?" I asked calmly before pushing the last man against the wall roughly. "Stand fucking back!" I growled. "I am Fenrir Slayer of the false god, Jenova." My words caused the seven men to stand in amazement.

"Same as the man, who leads a force against Eden?" One asked as I nodded.

"It would seem so, but the present finds me here searching for a child, and friends taken from me." I answered as I looked around. "Now that your minds have returned to form, what is the meaning of this place?" I demanded.

"We are to fight in the arena… to become gods as yourself." One grinned as I scoffed.

"To become a god who bows to a master? Dysley will never allow you to rise from the arena… you are forever to be a slave." I hissed, "That is why his head shall set upon the gates of Eden…" I whispered as the other men looked among themselves but left me alone.

When I awoke to the next day, several guards stood above me grinning. "Dysley orders your presence." One stated as I allowed myself to be led away. In moments I stood before Galenth Dysley as to his left was Fang and our child. I looked to her and instantly I was struck in my back.

"Focus on me, Fenrir… not my possessions." Dysley grinned as I scowled. "Anger, hate… your feelings are useless." Dysley grinned as I stood and scowled.

"I will kill you…" I hissed as he scoffed.

"Such behavior… and here I was going to call off the men raping Claire." He spoke offhandedly as my fury erupted.

"Where is she?" I roared as he stated at me.

"You have no right to ask anything of your master… lest you wish to have your son suffer along with his mother?" Dysley asked as Fang's shouts of disapproval reached my ear. "I will allow you one thing though… you may purchase but one woman… the mother of your child or the woman you love, your future? Which will you choose?" Dysley asked as I shook my head.

"Lightning… take Lightning please!" Fang pleaded as I found my heart torn.

"Dysley, what do you want?" I demanded as he smirked.

"Finally the slayer humbles himself…" Dysley grinned as I fell to my knees.

"I will do as you wish… just don't take my child, his mother and the woman I love… I will spill however much blood you desire… please…" I begged as he laughed.

"Bring the other woman in." He called as the doors opened and Lightning walked in bruises covering her body. Her eyes were upon me but I could not face her without my own rage erupting. "Fenrir, you are no longer a champion… you will have to prove yourself… as I stated you can only choose one… so… I give you now your chance… choose." Dysley grinned as Lightning scowled.

"Bastard!" She shouted as I looked to Lightning and then to Fang.

"Cloud…" Fang whispered my name and though the sound was soft I heard. Her smile was all that I needed to see and I nodded.

"I choose Claire…" I whispered but said loud enough to be heard. Dysley grinned and then looked to Fang.

"Very well… guards take the two gladiators to their cell… Fenrir, Claire… the games will begin tomorrow… I pray you survive." He grinned as I scowled. Lightning was roughly shoved into my arms and I held her chin and looked into her eyes which were lit with anger.

"Light…" I whispered as she shook her head.

"I'm fine…" was her reply as we were led to a cell while Fang stood with Noctis in her arms. Lightning touched my back and cooed in my ear softly.

"We will get them both back." Her words traveled through the air into my ear as I turned and gave one last glance to Dysley as he grabbed at Fang to taunt me.

"Such is what my own heart speaks." I whispered.

I know, I know short but its going to set the tone for the ending that I've been planning since I wrote Fenrir... anyhow, thanks so much for reading and sorry for taking so long, I hope to get a few more chapters out soon...

TO EVERYONE THANKS!