A/N: Hi everyone! ^^ Amazing how one of the wussiest guys on the ship killed Akatsuki, ne? And were some of you disappointed with the fact that I didn't end the fight yet? Too bad! Yeah, I bet some of you saw Akatsuki dying from a mile away. Oh well. Why did he die? Because he had to, dammit. Yes, that's right. I was planning it for quite some time. But never mind that, what ELSE happened last time? Well, lots of people are now unconscious. The only ones left are Yurika, Hikaru, Inez and Yukina. Yurika is fighting against Magus, but not succeeding whatsoever. Hikaru is fighting as well, but doing better than Yurika. Inez has completely given up, and Yukina can't believe it. And everyone seems to be harmed in some way. Anyway, the climax will be over in this chapter. Really. And the meaning behind the title finally appears. But keep in mind, this is NOT the last chapter! We have other crud to do too. Again, dictating music choices… "Galway's Sky" from FF9. Yes, this IS where Rumiko's sister's name came from. And no, I haven't played any good portion of FF9. Anyway. Let's get the show on the road!

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Yukina shook her head, unbelieving of the scene before her. Inez sat on her feet, caressing Izumi's face and mumbling things to her, in the same fashion that many of the crew had seen Izumi do to her over the past few weeks. She looked over her shoulder where the seemingly helpless captain fought against her patron God. The only thing keeping Yurika conscious was her will to fight Magus's attempts to invade her brain. But even that was weakening, as her own silver light faded more and more by the second, and Magus's grew brighter and brighter. At the same time, He was somehow capable of fighting against Hikaru's winds tugging at Him from every direction. Glancing at the redhead pilot, Yukina could tell that she was in better condition that Yurika, but she was also fading fast. Hikaru was the only one of them that had been fighting nonstop, and it was taking a toll on the artist.

Yukina fell to her knees, also losing will as Inez had. She stared at the blood-soaked ground as her hands gripped the bottom of her black skirt. She squeezed her eyes tightly. 'If everyone dies… We can't leave without them… we won't be able to go back to Earth! I… I won't get to live with Minato in peace!' Her eyebrows knit as she followed her pure instinct, for her conscious thought had left her. She slapped her hands together, and curled her middle and ring fingers, leaving only her forefingers, little fingers, and thumbs touching and up. She laid her thumbs on her forehead in the true Pentakami prayer position.

Magus grinned maniacally as He saw, for Himself, Yurika being unable to fight, slowly giving in. "Rika-chan, I only bound them for a reason. You're the one I want. I want you to watch yourself kill them all for Me. They won't die by My hand, oh no. I want you to live with the fact that you killed some of the most loyal of your crew, whether willingly or not. At Magus's words, Yurika's eyes welled with tears, blurring His image before her as He faded from sight entirely. Her eyes rolled into her head as she gave in to darkness. She didn't fall to the ground, but stayed hovering, as if Magus still had a hold on her body. Her eyes reopened, and instead of being aqua green, they shone golden, with no pupils.

Hikaru's eyes welled up as she thrust the last of her power at the captain. She didn't want to kill as Jun had, but she also knew that if Magus wouldn't be stopped, they would all die. Magus completely ignored her, and instead floated over to where Jun lay. "You cost me a good host, boy," he rasped, lifting the unconscious Executive Officer by his neck. "You got near to harming Me. That, I cannot forgive." Hikaru tried her hardest to distract Him in anyway, knowing that it would hurt ten times as much to die at the hands of his lover than by the hands of anyone else.

Yukina heard it all, and let out a sob as tears streamed down her cheeks. These people had become her family in such a short time. She didn't have anyone in her bloodline, and these people cared for her. How could they be on the brink of death, with her not able to do a thing about it? 'Please… I beg of you… Someone, anyone… help them! Please! Aqua, Terra, Flamma, Aer, I don't care who, just keep them safe and alive! Get Magus away from them!' Yukina's eyes popped open and widened when she heard a response in her head.

'Goodness, dear, it's about time. All you had to do was ask.'

Several feet away from the Jovian girl, Inez was surprised to see Izumi's eyes fly open. She was even more surprised at the difference. Instead of crimson red, Izumi eyes glowed a steady, but cold, sea blue. She no longer had pupils, just as Magus didn't. Izumi smirked at the Martian woman. "Hello, Ai-chan. Hopefully, you'll go on to sleep now… Ne, Terra?" Just then, Inez felt another sense in her mind. It felt like pine needles and sandy rocks. 'Excuse me, Ai-chan, but will you let me guide you, as Aqua is taking care of your lover?' Inez mentally nodded, knowing that help had finally arrived, hopefully in time to sway the battle in their favor. She felt her eyes glaze over as Terra took control of her mind. 'Don't worry, I'll be kind to you,' the First God reassured her. She let go and relaxed into the recesses of her brain, which just hours ago was her prison, was now her sanctuary.

Yukina smiled happily. Izumi was now standing up, Inez helping her stand. The two women's eyes were different colors from normal, Izumi's being blue and Inez's pine green. She was surprised, however, when Hikaru lowered her hands and stood staring off into the distance, a mischievous smile breaking out on her face. Closer scrutiny would tell that her normally deathly dark eyes were glowing with a sunny yellow.

The surprise that rang around the poor field between the Forest of Femininity and Somenolenthe reached Magus last, as Yurika's jaw dropped when Jun's own eyes snapped open, glaring fiery orange-red. "You haven't been a very good boy, Magus no baka." Yurika dropped Jun's body like a hot coal, for that's what he had become. Jun landed cat-like on his feet, but grasped his chest. "Damn it, Magus, did you have to hurt him so badly?"

"Magus, I'm sure the others are ready and rearing to whoop Your ass in ways you only wish were bondage sex dreams!" The bright, happy voice caught Magus's attention, and he spun to meet the grinning face of Hikaru. "After all, after over six millennia of murdering Our Messengers, let's just say We have gotten creative in Our torturing methods."

Magus glared at them, and took step back hesitantly. "How in the five hells did You all get out? I sealed Your prisons YEARS ago! I made it IMPOSSIBLE for You to work Your way out -"

"Pathetic Magus, You never thought if someone with power were to call upon Us for aid? I sense a loophole." A dirty grin marked Izumi's face. At the same time, Inez let her walk on her own, coming over to pat Yukina on the head. "Good work, Yuki-chan. You set Us free." Magus stared in disbelief at Terra, His favorite of the other Four Gods, despite that He knew Flamma and Aer longer. "Terra…"

Terra's gaze flashed over to the body of Yurika, the female body that held the immortal spirit of Magus. "Yes?" Magus's eyes welled up and He looked away. "I'm sorry…" Flamma, behind Magus now, fisted Jun's hands on his hips. "Why did You do such a thing, Magus? We were Your friends! We risked everything together, and gained extreme power together. How could You have banished Us so?" Aer sat on a rock, completely calm about the whole situation. "One word, Flamma dear. Jealousy. Ne, Magus?"

Magus hid His face, holding Yurika's head in her hands, feeling the blue-violet locks. "Yes. Yes, Aer, are You happy? It was jealousy that drove Me to trick You. Jealousy that drove Me to take Your powers away. Jealousy that drove Me to become the supreme ruler of Ninlan and learn to hate You all!"

The four Gods blinked. They had no idea that Magus had grown to hate Them. Just that He envied them for Their power. Terra caught Flamma's red eyes with His own green, telling Her that He was doing what He had to to right this. Inez walked over to Yurika, Magus's eyes over spilling with tears of shame. "Don't touch Me, Terra! Don't touch Me…" Terra did not obey, lifting Yurika's face up to gaze into Inez's. "Magus. You've bags under Your eyes." Magus knew that he did not mean Yurika's eyes. The other Gods could see His true form, even if it was hidden in a body that was not His own. Magus looked down. "Since they arrived, I've been… distracted. Watching them was like having You all back. But since I was the one who sent You away, I couldn't suddenly say 'Oh, I'm sorry, please forgive me,' now, could I?"

Flamma, who six millennia had become Magus's rival for Terra's affections, though She won out in the end, placed both of Jun's hands on Yurika's shoulders. "We were best friends, Magus. You, Me, and Aer, before We ever introduced You to Them. We loved each other, don't you remember?"

Aqua nodded Izumi's head. "It was hard speaking with You, especially with Them around, as They knew you first and best. But We learned to accept you, remember?" Aer grinned. "And then You began liked My big stupid brother, even though He and Flamma were close. It was almost before Our experiment, remember?" Magus shook Yurika's head. "It's an awful lot to remember."

"But You do remember, Magus. I know you do," whispered Terra. "I know You remember, because We remember. And We only remember because…" He glanced at Flamma for help, and She nodded Jun's head. "Love never dies, Magus. We all love each other. We always have, and always will. We don't hold a grudge against Your greed. After all, You were also the least powerful of Us, and We weren't understanding."

Magus glared at the Fire Goddess. "But I hate You! I hate You all!" A calm hand petted Yurika's hair. "And hatred never sleeps, Magus. Look what all this pent up anger has done to You. You're spontaneously attacking people for existing, and that is VERY uncalled for."

Magus let out a sob and covered His face. "What am I to do then? I've given up all I have now." Aer snorted. "Not all…" Aqua nodded, glancing over the motionless bodies around them. "Aer's right. Set them free, if You will." Magus looked at the Water God with teary golden eyes. "V… very well." He snapped His fingers, and just about all of those who lay on the ground made some sort of twitch, indicating that they now had control over their own bodies. With disoriented grunts and groggy awakenings, not many truly noticed that Hikaru, Izumi, Jun, Inez, and Yurika where all partly airborne.

Aer poked Izumi's side, getting Aqua's attention. "Well, We've done Our part, and We haven't properly seen each other in a few thousand years… I believe a make-out session is in order." Aqua smirked. "I'm only too happy to oblige, Aer-chan." But just as the two passive Gods' hosts' lips met, there was a gasp from those who had missed a good portion of the action.

"Okay, I get knocked out, my wrist gets broken, and I wake up to see Hikaru and Izumi kissing? This must be one hell of a hangover!" cried Akito, his eyes becoming larger than his frames. But Aqua and Aer weren't the only ones. Flamma and Terra had begun meeting each other once again, after being separated for such a long time. Magus rolled his golden eyes and cleared His throat pointedly. "I set them free, and You decide that it's suddenly a teenage party? If You're going to say hello, at least let Your hosts out of this!" Flamma smiled at Magus, who left Yurika's body immediately after his words. "I think that someone is upset about being the old maid." Nonetheless, both She and Terra left Jun and Inez, respectively.

Surprisingly, Terra seemed older than Magus, an estimated age of sixteen, if He wasn't over six thousand years old. His dark brown hair was bowl-cut style, brushing His ears. He had fairly dark skin, around the same color as Gai's, actually, but a few shades darker. Unlike Magus, who had looked quite feminine, Terra had a strong chin and high cheekbones, and His body structure hinted of a fairly muscular body. A loose, sleeveless, olive green tunic covered His torso, dark green hem and belt holding it tight at the edges. Under it He wore a lighter green shirt, also quite loose and hemmed tightly with dark green threads. He wore plain green leggings, similar to Magus's own leggings, but the ends were tucked into His tan, mud stained boots, as opposed to wearing slippers. Despite being fairly big, and almost a full foot over Magus's small frame, He didn't flaunt His size, almost afraid of frightening someone away with a simple movement or look. His pine green eyes were glowing spots against his dark skin, but they were separated well by his long, birdlike nose.

Terra's lover, Flamma, was another story entirely. She was almost as pale as one drained of blood, but nevertheless, freckles spotted Her near-white cheeks. Her red hair hung loose, reaching well past Her waist. Her shoulders were bare, for She wore a Ninlan style dress, obviously redesigned to be different from the norm. Her light orange blouse held tight around Her breasts and mid-bicep, holding it from falling any lower. The ends of the short sleeves were hemmed in dark red threads, tight enough to create a bulge effect in the sleeve. Her corset was worn on the outside, and was red-orange, laced with the same dark red threads that the rest of Her clothing was held together with. A bright red skirt reached the ground and hid Her feet from view, as it was long enough that it would have to be lifted to walk anywhere without tripping. In body size comparison, She was Terra's opposite, slim and small, and seeming to need protection. However, whether it be from the fire in Her red-orange, pupil-less eyes, or the fire in Her heart, it was obvious who was in charge in Their relationship.

"Flamma never let me have My way with Her, you know, Aqua? So this would be my first time with a woman…" Aer grinned and squeezed Izumi's breast, forcing the God of Water to blush insanely. Terra glared at His sister. "Aer! Get out of Hikaru-chan's body!" Aer frowned. "Poo. You never let Me have any fun, Terra. Never have." Aqua shook His head. "He's right, Aer. Out." Aqua left Izumi's body first, who collapsed immediately due to her dislocated knee. Inez ran to catch her. Aqua nodded at the Martian doctor. "She'll be fine, in time."

Aqua was, undoubtedly, the smallest of them all, being only taller than Ruri and Yukina. He had large, sea blue eyes that glowed with a humorous coldness that sarcasm in itself could only supply. His wild, turquoise hair framed His feminine face perfectly, and flowed down His back in a cascade that fell only as far as the small of His back. He was somewhat skinny, being slimmer than even his younger sister Flamma. Instead of the standard tunic and leggings that both Terra and Magus wore, Aqua wore a full length kimono instead, the wrinkles looking more like ripples in the smooth blue silk of many shades: sea blue, dark blue, navy blue, soft blue. A dark blue sash held the kimono closed, but it hung low on His hips, making the top part fairly loose, and He let it open partly to show part of His somewhat pale, but not very, chest. Despite His small size, a sort of wisdom trickled behind the cynicism in His eyes, proving that He had a love of knowledge and would not let that treasure go to waste. This wisdom also confirmed any suspicions of His age, for though He did not look it, He was the oldest of all Five Gods, but only by being a year older than Terra.

Aer was reluctant to leave the redhead's body, but when she did, she was obviously pouting. The slightly angry frown marred the face that often saw smiles and grins. She was taller than both Aqua and Flamma, obviously having some of the same height genes as her older brother. She seemed about thirteen, like Flamma, but it was almost impossible to detect who was older of the two. Aer's light blonde hair billowed in wild frizzes to her shoulders, where they decided to all go in their own direction. Her skin was not pale, but it was not as dark as Terra's. Just sun-kissed. Her clothing was much less elaborate than Flamma's dress, as it seemed it was designed for lots of running around in the outside, which Aer was known to do. It was a one-piece yellow dress that reached mid-thigh, with elegant sleeves that were both long and draped over her hands, almost hiding them. She wore a sleeveless, long vest over the sunny dress, goldenrod in color and fastened with topaz buttons. Her smile returned, and somehow, it mirrored both the giggly grin of Hikaru and the lopsided smile of Gai at the same time, perfectly.

Inez bowed her head, smiling softly as she helped her lover stand. "So You finally show Your faces." Rumiko was on his knees, bowing with great respect to the Five. "Please forgive Lady Ai, Hodorable Odes, for her sobewhat rude rebarks. She was raised away frob Didladdish traditiod," pleaded Rumiko, his broken nose getting in the way of his speech. Terra rolled his eyes. "Magus, he really is Yours. Stick a piece of coal in his ass and You'll probably get a diamond." Magus smirked. "And of course, that is My favorite crystal." Hot fingers grasped His pale ear and yanked, hard. Flamma set her mouth close to the ear in Her grip. "If You don't behave, Your punishment at home will be much worse, I assure You."

A slight whimper stopped the slight bickering. Yurika looked up at Them with teary eyes. "How could You be so cold? Magus… You caused my best friend to kill someone who loved me, and only for jealousy? How selfish can You be?" Aqua slapped the back of Magus's head. "You asshole! I knew You were killing off Our Messengers, but did you have to do it in plain sight of those they were close to?" Magus rubbed His head, mussing His silver tresses slightly. "The executions weren't ever in the plain sight of people. Hell, the executions weren't even MY idea!" Yurika glared at her patron God. "But why? Why did You try to kill us? What could They have done to justify the slaughter?" Magus closed His eyes, obviously hurt by the question. "I suppose you have the right to know."

Magus folded His arms behind His back and kept His eyes closed. "The Four can control nature itself. Nature is merciful most of the time, but it can, and will kill humans. It wasn't My idea for the executions, but I have become slightly numb to them. Humans are wonderful things, don't you think? And so easily manipulated… some of the best toys around, I'd say." Magus's mouth curled into a wistful smile, obviously caught up in the thought. "But humans will eventually die. Someday there won't be anymore humans, ever. Where will I be then? My power relies on humans. They depend on Me, and I depend on them. But the Four wouldn't ever understand, you know? Their powers rely on things that don't die, or will always be. Next you know, I'm a powerless immortal with nothing to do but wait until the universe decides to collapse." Magus's pale, slim hands clenched into fists. "No one will collapse Me. No one. And I will not allow Myself to become powerless. So I grew jealous of the Elements, and slowly but surely seduced each and every single one of Them into submission, taking down the Pentakami Church and set up so they would worship only Me. Sealed the Elements away so They would never escape unless someone asked for Them to be set free, or for aid. Which, "He flashed a golden glance at the Jovian girl, "finally was unlocked by the words of a weak Calm of Mine."

Aer smiled smugly. "And with Him sealing Us away for so long, longer than We had been in true power, We grew stronger, stronger than He could ever imagine." Aqua crossed his arms. "In other words, Magus, when We get home, You're seriously fucked, in layman's terms."

Itsuki continued to cradle her injured hand, as if holding a baby. "Something here isn't right. If You're Gods, how were You created? You keep talking about being mortal once, right?" The tremble in her voice showed her fright for her hurt hand, almost afraid of her future as a musician and a mage. Aer flapped a hand at the violet-haired pilot. "Don't worry, your hand will heal fine. In fact, everybody's everything will be back to normal over time. Magus couldn't kill you, you know." Aqua nodded. "And the dead are remorseful of their exit, but understanding of the situation. My little sister's Rage can rest now." Jun did not however, still truly upset over his deeds, and sat staring at his hands.

Itsuki glanced at the colorful, transparent entities. "Aren't You going to answer my question?" Aqua nodded. "Yes, but it takes much more explaining than We have the energy for. But, as an intellectual myself…" He pointed to Izumi and snapped His fingers. Izumi's crimson eyes went wide as visuals, ideas, explanations of the Gods rising entered her head. Aqua lowered His hand. "And there they will stay until it is reported, okay, Izumi-chan?" Izumi understood. As soon as she could recount everything on paper for the world, it would finally leave her mind. She wouldn't even have to struggle to hold on to every detail.

Aer raised her hand, grinning. "One last explanation on My part, please!" Flamma glanced at her wrist, almost as if looking at a watch. "Please, Aer-chan. We don't have all day. Sun goes down in-" Aer stuck Her tongue out at Her best friend. "come on, I know these people have been wondering about My little Rage, so PLEASE let me explain why he's still alive!" A gasp came from the Martian cook. Of course, they had almost forgotten. The suspended animation phenomenon.

Gai's eyebrows had shot up at the Goddess of Air's words. He had always wondered why he was the only one who could cheat death on a regular basis, but to actually think it had something to do with magic… "Wait a freakin' minute here. If nanomachines are what give someone the ability to use magic, how the hell does my condition have anything to do with it? I didn't get that injection till I was almost eighteen!" Aer floated over and patted him on the head, giggling. "Silly Jiro-chan! I liked you a lot! In fact, I had damn good plans for your older brother, but he died when he was a baby, remember? Oh, that's right. You weren't alive yet. Well, I got the brilliant idea to give you only SOME of My power, instead of making you a mage, because I just couldn't do THAT… So I gave you some of My Rage, since My Rages don't die until their time comes! I knew you'd make a difference in Our world! I mean, heck, We wouldn't have even been set free if you weren't alive to find Ninlan for your crew! So I made it so you wouldn't die until it was time, and trust Me, it's not time for a long time, Jiro-chan!" With that, She hugged him tightly, Her cheeky grin still adorning Her face.

Akito scowled, not daring to cross his arms because of his broken wrist. "Aer, if I didn't know any better, I'd say You were hitting on my man." Aqua chuckled. "It's so funny when Our Messengers backtalk, don't You agree, Aer-chan?" Terra rolled His eyes at His best friend and sister. "If You two are done flirting and flitting about, could we possibly go home?" Flamma nodded, putting a hand you Her forehead. "Yes, I do feel quite faint from the effort, despite all Our energy reserves." Aer floated back over to Her fellow Gods, and raised a hand in greeting. "Well, bye! Gotta go home now!"

Inez started, her jaw dropping. "Wait, wait, there are other things to be addressed! What of the Pentakami?" Magus nodded to His former captives. "Right. What of My temple?" Terra nodded to Aqua, indicating that the cynical water spirit take control of this one. Aqua chewed on His bottom lip. "Well, I would almost say that His temple is null and void, and all things pertaining to as well." Aer let out a whoop. "Yeah! Pentakami church all the way, BABY!" Flamma slapped Her arm. "You're making a scene." They started to fade again, but Inez had another pressing matter. "But who will head it? The head of the church is the head of the planet, and how will this be proved to the officials of the Temple of Magus?" Terra glared at the silver mind spirit, who sighed reluctantly. He closed His eyes and snapped His fingers. Reopening His pupil-less eyes, He glared at the Martian doctor. "They all now know. Happy?" Flamma gripped His arm. "We need a head still. Terra?" Terra scanned over the small band in front of Them, finally pointing to Rumiko. "He'll do it. He's bastardly enough. Can We go home now?" Inez nodded slowly, realizing They were addressing her. With various goodbyes and wishes to be well, They disappeared, reentering Their immortal bodies hundreds of miles away.

Izumi gripped her head, unable to sort through her thoughts. "They're… not Gods!" Inez regarded her younger lover. "What?" Izumi nodded, still clutching her temples. "They aren't Gods… but humans that changed our universe with… certain experiments…" Inez patted her head. "You'll be able to write the report soon."

Those who could stand, did, helping those who couldn't to their feet and towards the ship. Inez shook her head. "No need to worry now. But remember, that was probably the first step to closure. We still have a long way back to earth, not to mention healing…" She glanced at the captain, her green eyes blank. "Kanchou." Yurika stood, and nodded, gathering herself together. "I know. I'll grieve later. Too much to worry about now. Healing and such." Her voice was still raspy from magus's attempts to choke her. Inez nodded. "I understand," she whispered, as the crew hobbled back onto the ship they called their home.

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TBC…

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A/N: I have a habit for the anticlimactic, for it seems so much more realistic. The end of hardship doesn't end with a big bang, as we all expect a story worth telling should. Okay, some things to clear up real quick, regarding the atmosphere of this episode. Believe it or not, but the gods were fucking PISSED. They're just good at hiding it until the appropriate time. And many things needed to be explained in the hour or so that they were there, otherwise they would never know. And Magus WILL be being whipped when he gets home, poor bastard. I was starting to like that maniacal asshole. Oh well. Well, everyone's still a little upset, and some actually saddened by the loss of Akatsuki. Well, if I didn't put that out well enough, I just suck, okay? Anyway… Yes, that was the anticlimactic end to the wrath of Magus. Why was it so weak? Because the gods respect him as a person. Oops, did I just give something away? ^^ Wow, lots of having to redeem myself in here. Anyway… Well, let's recap then. Yukina asked for the help of the other four gods, and they answered because that was the key to releasing them. Because Magus had been focusing on himself and forcing people to worship him only, it hasn't happened in six thousand years. Magus did not like the other mages to live, but he did not want them spreading anything. Thus started the executions. And other explanations for things… and crud. And, next time. Well, I hope you liked this story. ^^ Yep, that's right, next chapter's last, and a doozy, I predict! Can't tell you the end, because you'll all die! ^^ Anyway, until next time, review me if you like, for it makes me feel all special and fuzzy inside, because you people care enough to give feedback! ^^ See ya!